Village halls are used in all kinds of ways. Some use them for craft clubs, coffee mornings, birthday parties, christenings, wedding receptions… the list goes on. As it’s the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, you may see your hall inundated with requests for parties to celebrate this royal first. As the bookings come rolling in, spring is the perfect time to make sure that everything is in tip-top condition for the months ahead.

Parking

Make sure that your car park is clear of debris and other hazards to ensure that people using it aren’t at risk of slips and falls. If the hall is open after dark, you will need to ensure that there is sufficient lighting to allow a safe journey from the car park to the venue. Consider whether the pedestrian route is well marked and if emergency vehicles can gain access if they need to. If you only offer limited parking, it’s worth offering information about other nearby parking areas to people hiring the hall to distribute to their guests.

Accessibility

Is your village hall accessible to all or are there certain restrictions in place? You will need to make sure that all steps, ramps and paths are well maintained for the safety of the public and that all rooms and corridors have sufficient lighting. Corridors will need to be clear of clutter and internal flooring in good condition. In terms of Covid considerations, think about how you will keep rooms well ventilated and how to avoid congestion in entrances and exits. While most restrictions have now been lifted, many people are still uneasy about attending crowded events and taking these steps can help to allay their fears.

Equipment

Check that all your equipment is well maintained, and everything has been correctly stored and inspected by a qualified electrician in a suitable timeframe. If you have gas appliances, are these all up to date with their inspections from a gas safe engineer?

Insurance

At Edwards Insurance Brokers, we carry out a full review of your risk and will continue to regularly review this. If you want to know more about how we can help you get the right Village Hall Insurance for your needs, protecting both you and members of the public, please do get in touch on 01564 730900.