Belfast Castle terms and conditions

Conditions of Hire of Facilities at Belfast Castle

Interpretation

1.1 These conditions of Hire shall be read and construed in accordance with the Application for hire to which these conditions are annexed.

1.2 In these conditions:

‘the application’ means the Hirer’s application for the hire of the facilities.
‘the booking’ means the booking made on foot of the application.
‘the council’ means Belfast City Council.
‘the General Manager’ means the council’s Manager of Belfast Castle and includes any person acting under his authority.
‘the facilities’ means those parts of the Building the subject of the application.
‘the Hirer’ means the person(s) identified as such in the application.
‘the Building’ means Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 5GR
‘the relevant event’ means the wedding, function, exhibition, conference or other event(s) the subject of the application.

Hire of Facilities

2.1 The council permits the Hirer to have use of the facilities for the period, and during the hours, specified in the application for the purpose of the relevant event.

2.2 Notwithstanding the permission granted in Clause 2.1, the Council reserves the right, exercisable at its entire discretion to refuse admission to the facilities to any particular person or persons in the interests of security and/or good management of the Building.

2.3 The hire of facilities shall be for a minimum of two hours.

Hire Charges

3.1 The Hirer shall pay to the council the appropriate hire charge(s) ruling at the date of the relevant event as follows:

3.1.1 A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of 50 per cent shall be payable upon confirmation of the booking.

3.1.2 The balance of the hire charges will be payable at least 30 days prior to the holding of the relevant event where the relevant event is a wedding or social function, or if the company is based outside Northern Ireland.-

3.2 Any ancillary charges will be invoiced by the council after the relevant event and will be paid by the Hirer within 30 days of the date of the invoice.

3.3 Interest shall be payable on any overdue charges at the rate of 5 per cent p.a. over base lending rate of Barclays Bank or such other rate or bank that the council may reasonably specify.

3.4 The Hirer accepts that the rates of hire payable are those applicable at the date of the relevant event and acknowledges that prices are increased on 1 April each year. The prices stated on the application are estimated only and may be more at the date of the relevant event.

3.5 Where the Hirer cancels a booking, the council reserves the right to invoice for the full room hire charge expected for the event.

3.6 Failure to pay the hire charge(s) within the time specified in Clause 3.1 shall constitute a fundamental breach of these conditions, entitling the council, acting at its entire discretion, to cancel the booking forthwith without notice.

3.7 Any postponement of a relevant event shall be treated as a cancellation.

Hirer’s Obligations

The hirer agrees:

4.1 That the facilities will only be used for the relevant event and for no other purpose;

4.2 That the relevant event will be conducted in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with all relevant health and safety and fire regulations and requirements;

4.3 The Hirer will have sole responsibility for the administration and organisation of the relevant event, subject to the council’s overall administration of the Building;

4.4 That all instructions given by the General Manager with regard to the use of the facilities and the organisation of the relevant event are strictly complied with;

4.5 That the facilities will be vacated immediately at the end of the hire period and that all property of persons attending the relevant event shall be removed;

4.6 That all food and beverage consumed in the building must be purchased from the catering franchisee appointed by the Council at any time;

4.7 That the council accepts no responsibility for the prices, standards or service of the food and beverage provided by the catering franchisee and the Hirer agrees to settle all accounts for food and beverages and other catering agreements directly with the catering franchisee;

4.8 To comply in all respects with all relevant health and safety legislation and fire regulations, and without prejudice to the foregoing to comply with any limitation as to the number of people allowed in a room by any entertainment’s licence;

4.9 Belfast City Council operates a strict no smoking policy in all of its buildings therefore smoking is totally prohibited in all areas within Belfast Castle.

4.10 That no nails will be driven into the walls or woodwork of any part of the Building and all attachments and decorations are subject to the prior approval of the Manager;

4.11 No confetti is permitted to be used either inside or outside Belfast Castle at any time.

4.12 No fireworks are permitted at Belfast Castle or in the grounds of Belfast Castle under any circumstances.

4.13 That all personal belongings from the bridal party be removed from Belfast Castle at the end of the evening. Any property not so removed shall be left at the Hirer’s risk, and for the avoidance of doubt clause 5.1 shall apply to such property.

4.14 That the council may erect advertising in any area of the Building and keep same up during the relevant event.

4.15 That Wedding Ceremony only will take place at 12 noon and will vacate the premises/grounds by 1.30pm.

4.16 That Wedding Receptions (and ceremony) will only arrive at the premises at 12 noon, 3pm or 6pm.

Liability for damage

5.1 The council accepts no responsibility for any theft, loss or damage to any property of the Hirer or any of their guests.

5.2 The Hirer will be responsible for all damage caused to the Building and will indemnify the council against all losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred or suffered by the council as a result thereof (except in respect of any damage caused by the council, its agents or employees or otherwise not being attributable to the holding of the relevant event).

5.3 Any invoice submitted by the council for the costs of repairing damage shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 3.2 and 3.3.

Indemnity and Insurance

6.1 The Hirer shall be responsible for and keep the council fully indemnified against all damage (including damage to the Building and the facilities), damages, losses, costs, expenses, actions, demands, claims and liabilities made against or incurred by the council (save to the extent that the same should arise from any negligent act or omission of the council) arising out of:

6.1.1 any act, omission or negligence of the Hirer or any person or persons at the Building expressly or implicitly with the Hirer’s authority or consent;

6.1.2 any breach by the Hirer of these conditions.

Termination

7.1 In the event of any breach or non-observance of these conditions by the Hirer, or by any person involved in the organisation of the relevant event, then the council may revoke with immediate effect the permission to use, or to have continued use of, the facilities.

7.2 Notwithstanding any acceptance of the application, the council reserves the right at its discretion, but for reasonable cause, to cancel the booking at any time, provided that as much notice as reasonably possible shall be given to the Hirer and that all charges paid are refunded. The council will not be liable in such an event for any consequential losses alleged to be suffered by the Hirer as a result of the cancellation.

General

8.1 The staff of the council shall be entitled to access all parts of the Building for the purpose of inspection, management and supervision.

8.2 The permission hereby granted is not transferable by the Hirer, unless with the written consent of the General Manager, who shall have entire discretion.

8.3 The council reserves the right to change the room(s) hired by the Hirer but this will only be done for valid reasons.

8.4 The council reserve the right to employ extra security staff if in the council’s reasonable opinion, it feels it is necessary for the event. This will be decided after carrying out a risk assessment and, in these circumstances, the cost will be borne by the hirer.

8.5 The council reserves the right to hire other rooms in the Building at the time of the relevant event.

8.6 The courts of Northern Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction for the purpose of any legal proceedings arising from the contact constituted from the council’s acceptance of the application.

8.7 For all social events (to include, wedding receptions, parties, funerals etc), payment will only be accepted by either debit or credit card(no pre-paid cards will be accepted). We are no longer able to accept cash, cheques or banker’s drafts.

8.8 Belfast City Council does not pay commission on any bookings and shall not consider any claims for same.

Online Competition Terms and Conditions

The promoter is Belfast City Council of City Hall Belfast BT1 5GS.
The competition is strictly for the advertised date(s) only. Any entries submitted before or after these times will not be accepted.
The winner will be selected at random. The prize cannot be redeemed for any cash alternative.
You must reside in Northern Ireland to enter this competition.
To be eligible to win, you must follow the eligibility requirements of the competition, as advertised by Belfast Castle.
Only one entry per person will be accepted, unless otherwise stated.
Employees of Belfast Castle are not eligible to enter.
Belfast City Council reserves the right to publicise the competition and the winner.
Belfast City Council’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. By entering this competition, individuals agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
This competition is governed by the law of Northern Ireland.
Belfast City Council is the Data Controller, under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for the information you provide.
Beware of online scams: social media is a popular tool for scammers.
You enter the competition at your own risk. Belfast City Council will not be liable for any loss, theft or damages should you provide your personal or financial information to fraudsters.
Belfast Castle will never ask for personal details, private message or send external links.
If you receive a friend request or a message about a competition, please do not respond, click links or fill in any forms. If in doubt, please call 028 9077 6925.

Terms and conditions