FAQs

Have questions about the Hall hire?

Pretty much all the questions that people ask us about hiring the hall are answered here. Please take a few minutes to scan it.

QUESTION	ANSWER
THE BASICS	YOUR CO-OPERATION PLEASE! We hope that you will like the Hall. Our objective is to provide local residents with a pleasant place in which to hold their functions, at the lowest possible price. To achieve this, we run largely on a voluntary basis. But to make this work we also need YOUR co-operation. So please: Treat the Hall with care and leave it as you would expect to find it. Our booking fees can be found on our booking request page, link at top of page or see menu). Applications for the use of the Hall can be made on that same page. You will be send a booking form which needs to be returned to the email address on that form and be accompanied by the appropriate fee according to the current scale of charges. The Management Committee may, at its sole discretion, refuse to accept a booking without giving any reason for so doing.
What is the availability of the hall?	Please check the hall calendar (link at the top of the page or see menu) for up-to-date availability. In general, the hall is available for hire between 08.00 and 23.30. Booking requests must be done by email (Contact link at the top of the page or see menu For regular and weekday bookings, (link at the top of the page) and contact us.
Do I need to allow time for setting up before and cleaning up after?	You need to book enough time, in total, to allow yourself sufficient time to set up before your event and clean up afterwards, including sweeping up. We suggest at least ½ hour each side of your event.
What are the hall hire rates?	Our booking fees can be found on our booking request page, link at top of page or see menu) There are different charges for weekdays and weekends and before or after 7pm bookings. There is a mandatory security deposit of £100, returnable soon after the hire, assuming none of the hire terms have been broken. There is also a non-refundable £5 booking fee. You book by emailing us to request a booking form and your booking is only confirmed once all hire fees and security deposits are paid, and we have received your filled in and signed booking form.
What is the cancellation policy?	In the event of written notice being received by the Treasurer at least 4 weeks before the actual reservation date, the hire charge and deposit less the booking fee will be refunded. If such notice is not given and the committee does not get a replacement booking for the whole of the original reservation period, the booking fee shall be forfeited. The Committee’s decision in all matters of cancellation shall be final.
What if the hall is not available?	The Committee does not accept responsibility for loss of any kind arising if the Hall is unavailable for use by the Hirer during the whole or any part of the period of hire due to any reason outside the control of the Committee, but in such circumstances the hiring fee or part of it will be refunded.
Personal property	The Committee does not accept any responsibility for any loss of, or damage to, personal property no matter how this may be caused.
What is the hall capacity and furniture?	For practical and insurance purposes, we recommend a maximum of 80 people for hire of the main hall and maximum 15 people for hire of the committee room. Seating is available for these numbers above In our storage cupboard in the main hall you find; 37 chairs without armrests 11 chairs with armrests 30 toddler-sized chairs 10 small toddler/coffee tables. In the rear lobby you will find 16 large tables and an additional 40 chairs without armrests. The committee room has 15 chairs without armrests. All furniture you use must be wiped down and returned to its storage position at the end of the hire (there is a picture in the storage areas to show you how the stack correctly to avoid accidents).
What is the hall size and layout?	The main hall measures approximately 9×10 meters. The committee room measures approximately 3½ x 4½ meters. You enter the hall via the main lobby. From there you can access the ladies, gents and toilet for disabled guests, our kitchen and the main hall. The committee room can be reached via the rear lobby, either through the kitchen or through the main hall. Our garden/ play area can be accessed via the rear lobby or the car park.
Can I visit the hall to look around?	There are many pictures on this website to give you an idea what the hall looks like. If you want to visit the hall in person, then please Contact us. Our postcode should take you into the Emmbrook area, by adding Emmbrook Village Hall to your search, Google maps will bring you to just outside the hall: RG41 1JN. The what3words for the car park entrance are: rope.rice.lasts
THE LOGISTICS
How do I access the hall on my hire day?	A couple of days before your hire date we will email you a 4-digit code for the main door and a 6-digit code if you have also hired our committee room, specific to your hire period. Please check your junk mail if you have not received the code one day before your hire before you contact us. If for some reason you did not receive the code or have mislaid it on your arrival then you can contact any committee member, contact numbers are displayed on our notice board.
Can I leave the hall during my hire period?	Yes, you may leave but you remain fully responsible for the hall during your entire hire period. Please ensure the hall is secure before you leave.
What if I have a problem during my hire period?	Call one of committee members numbers on the notice board at the hall a volunteer will do what we can to remedy the problem.
Can I leave the hall during my hire period?	Yes, you may leave but you remain fully responsible for the hall during your entire hire period. Please ensure the hall is secure before you leave.
What cleaning am I expected to do at the end of my hire period?	Basically, as tidy as you found it, ready for the next hirer. This means: Mop/clean up any spills as they occur Bag and remove all your rubbish & recycling and place it in the container at the end of our car park. Your waste will be recycled by the container company Sweep the floors Tidy the toilets, empty the bins, especially nappies Clean kitchen surfaces and wash all glasses, plates, and cutlery etc. Please bring your own towels Wipe tables and put tables and chairs back in their original positions (see picture on the wall) Report any breakages, damage, and faults so we can attend to them Make sure all radiators are turned down to no 2 or 3 Close all the windows Turn off all the lights (please do not forget to check the lights in the toilets and kitchen) Make sure all outside doors and closed and secure (the hall will not be insured if left unlocked)
When do I get my security deposit back?	Assuming there is no damage or broken hire conditions, and no extra cleaning was necessary, we will refund you within a week or so.
THE FACILITIES
Do you have Wi-Fi?	No, but the mobile phone reception is very good which allows you to access your browser.
What furniture is there?	We have seating for 80 people in the main hall and 15 in the committee room. There are 30 child-sized seating . We also have an additional 11 chairs with arm rests. We don’t provide high-chairs or tablecloths. There are 16 large tables plus 10 small toddler/coffee table. All furniture you use must be wiped down and returned to its storage position at the end of the hire (there is a picture in the hall).
What are the catering facilities?	The kitchen has: 2 electric cookers with two ovens.(Switch off from the wall after use) A small microwave, a hot water boiler to give instant hot water. ( please do NOT switch this off) A fridge with small freezer compartment. (please do NOT switch this off) About 80 each of large white plates, medium white plates, white bowls (soup/dessert), knives, forks and spoons. Gravy boats and a selection of larger serving plates About 2 dozen mugs and 80 teacups A selection of larger cooking pots We suggest you bring your own tea towels and kitchen utensils (whatever you need to cook, heat, serve) We do not have tablecloths
Do you have air conditioning?	No, we do not have air conditioning but there are EXTRACTOR FANS in the Main Hall, and the Kitchen. Each has three controls: an off/on switch (0 = off, fan symbol = on); a switch to make the fan either extract air from the room or bring in fresh air from outside; and a slider to control the speed. The controls for the fans in the Main Hall are just inside the rear Lobby, next to the Table Stack; the other is in the kitchen.
Do you have an amplifier / sound system?	In the main hall we have a hearing loop for the hard of hearing and two speakers, which are mounted on the wall. This is not suitable for music but only used for speakers. We do a handheld microphone and a lapel microphone. The use is free but we do require an addition damage deposit of £200 We have a pull-down projector screen. Let us know if you need to check anything that is critical to your event before your hire.
Do you have a piano?	Yes we do have a piano which is locked. If you wish to use the piano, please request the key by contacting us on emmbrookbookings@gmail.com.
What facilities for disabled people do you have?	There is a ramp at the front door suitable for wheelchairs. There is no lip in the doorway and once inside, all floors are level and there is a disabled toilet. There is a hearing loop for the heard of hearing.
Do you have baby changing facilities?	Nappy changing facilities can be found in the toilet for the disabled. (Please dispose of nappy in the container in the car park at the end of the hire).
Is there a garden?	There is a small garden, which you are welcome to use. It is well fenced but not child-proof. We strongly suggest an adult supervises the garden when children are there. The surface in our garden consists of playground safety surface. (our garden is not suitable for BBQs)
How much parking is there?	We have our own off-road car park with 10 spaces. More cars will fit but, in that case, other cars will be blocked in.
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO
Can I bring in Caterers and Entertainers?	You can use caterers, entertainers etc., provided they each carry public liability insurance of at least £1m and you tell us who you are using on the booking form.
Can I serve alcohol?	Option 1 – Bring and serve your own alcohol, but you may not charge your guests in any way, separately or within a ticket price. Option 2 – If you want to run a cash bar, first get our written agreement then apply in good time for a TEN (temporary event notice), from Wokingham Council.
Can I decorate the hall?	You can decorate but only using the notice boards and window frames. Please do not use tape or blue tack on our walls. Do not use blue tac, white tac, cello tape, or anything else – they all damage the hall and may result in a charge to your security deposit. You must not attach anything to lights (safety). Don’t forget to leave yourself enough time to take down all decorations and tidy up.
Can we hire a bouncy castle?	We do NOT allow the use of bouncy castles inside or outside.
Can we have a BBQ?	We do not allow the use of BBQ’s as our garden area surface is not suitable (playground safety surface which could get damaged) plus we can not justify having a BBQ in a car park full of cars.
What is your smoking policy?	Smoking Cigarettes and e cigarettes are NOT allowed in any part of the Hall.
Can we have teenage party?	We do not allow teenage parties between the ages of 12 and 18.
Is there public transport near by?	We are 1½ mile from Wokingham railway station. Bus number 122, 202, 244 and 151a stop close to the hall.

If you have a question not answered above, why not email us at: emmbrookbookings@gmail.com but please allow a few days for a reply.