VENUES FOR HIRE

Community Room

Larksmead Pavilion
Town Hall Woodhouse Gardens
Council Chamber Shambles
Other Local Venues Corn Exchange

 

CORN EXCHANGE

Market Place, Blandford Forum 

The largest of the Town Council's venues available for hire by members of the Public is the Corn Exchange, situated in the centre of the Market Place. It has a large stage making it suitable for public performances with rear dressing rooms and toilet facilities. The main hall is large enough to hold "table-top" sales, markets, private functions and receptions. The floor has been recently refurbished providing an ideal floor for dancing. A large kitchen is available for use at a nominal extra charge and is equipped with refrigerator, cooker and cups and saucers for 200. Pay and Display car parking is available within easy walking distance.Copyright Blandford Forum Town Council

There is disabled access at the main entrance where there are toilet facilities both public and disabled.

The Corn Exchange will hold 200 close seated, standing and dancing and measures 21mx10m.

 

Tables, chairs and dancing area – max number 100

Tables and chairs to max – 120 with room for dancing etc.,

Charges and session times for the hire of the Corn Exchange as from 1 April 2010 are as follows:-

Morning Session     8.00am to 1.00pm
Afternoon Session    1.30pm to 5.30pm
Evening Session      6.00pm to 10.00pm

  THURSDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY & BANK HOLIDAYS
(Market Days) 		ALL OTHER DAYS

1 Session (morning or afternoon)
£85.20
£38.40

1 Session (evening)
£43.60
£38.40

2 Sessions (morning and afternoon)
£142.00
£71.20
2 Sessions (afternoon and evening) £124.10 £71.20

3 Sessions

(morning, afternoon and evening)
£183.30
£89.80

Hire of the Corn Exchange Kitchen
£16.00  per session or day
An additional charge of £20.90 per hour or part thereof for bookings before 8 am and after 10.00 pm (applicable to all Town Council venues).

All prices are exclusive of VAT.

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT

The following discounts apply to the above session rates, only one discount is permitted per booking.

  1. Blandford based registered charities and a Blandford, non-profit making, community based  organisation - 50% discount.
  2. National registered charities - 25% discount. 
     
    Discounts 1 and 2 are not applicable to any event where individuals benefit from the sale of any item.
     

  3. Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20% discount

     

    COMMERCIAL HIRE RATES

    The Corn Exchange is available to hire for commercial use. Charges and session times are available on request.

    Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

    To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Church Lane, Blandford Forum

Housed within the Town Clerks Office building the Community Room provides a comfortable venue for group meetings and courses. Fully carpeted, this room will accommodate 40 close seated. A ramp gives good disabled access and a disabled toilet is situated next to the main room. A Pay and Display car park is adjacent to the Town Clerks Office.

The charge for hire of the Community Room is £25.00 + VAT per session. Session times and overtime charges are the same as for the Corn Exchange.

Refreshments (tea or coffee) can be ordered at a cost of 60p + VAT per head.

Discount for Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20%.

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

LARKSMEAD PAVILION AND GROUNDS

Larksmead, Blandford Forum (off Salisbury Road, opposite Cemetery entrance)

Set at the top of a large sports ground and recreation area, adjacent to an enclosed children's play area, the recently refurbished Larksmead Pavilion has dressing rooms, showers and toilet facilities at either end of the building and is suitable for sports organisations and group meetings. There is a large kitchen with refrigerator, cooker and basic crockery, the main room has a tiled floor and there is disabled access. The grounds at Larksmead are available for use by hirers of the Pavilion making it an ideal place to hold fetes and BBQ's. Larksmead can accommodate 50 close seated, and has a large free car park.

The charge for hire of Larksmead Pavilion is £16.00 + VAT per session. Session times and overtime charges are the same as for the Corn Exchange.

Discount for Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20%.

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

THE SHAMBLES

Market Place, Blandford Forum

The area inside the gates at the front of the Corn Exchange. 

Thursdays and Saturdays (market days) - £21.50 per single pitch or £43.00 for a double pitch. (These prices include VAT at 15%).

Charities/Blandford non-profit making, community based organisations - Free of charge (including one trestle table) for the promotion of their charity/organisation or licensed charity collections. Copyright Blandford Forum Town Council

All other days/hirers - £14.30 per session/per pitch or £19.90 per session for the whole area for the sale of items.

All bookings including the free of charge events must be arranged via the Town Clerk's office.

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

TOWN HALL

Market Place, Blandford Forum

Situated on the first floor (no disabled access) at the front of the Corn Exchange. The Town Hall is suitable for group meetings and courses and can accommodate 50 close seated and 75 standing. Pay and display car parking is available within easy walking distance.

The charge for hire of the Town Hall is £16.00 + VAT per session. Session times and overtime charges are the same as for the Corn Exchange.

Discount for Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20%. Copyright Blandford Forum Town Council

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Market Place, Blandford Forum

Next to the Town Hall the Council Chambers (no disabled access) offers a traditional setting for formal meetings and can accommodate up to 20 seated around the large meeting table. Copyright Blandford Forum Town Council

The charge for hire of the Council Chambers is £17.60 + VAT per session. Session times are the same as for the Corn Exchange.

Discount for Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20%.

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

WOODHOUSE GARDENS PAVILION

Woodhouse Gardens, Blandford Forum

Situated within Woodhouse Public Gardens next to the main Post Office in the centre of the town, Woodhouse Garden Pavilion provides an ideal setting for local organisations' meetings. Popular for Art and other educational courses and suitable for small private functions and receptions, the Pavilion can be divided by a central partition and there are French doors, which open onto the main footpath of the gardens. There is a cloakroom with toilet facilities and a kitchen equipped with refrigerator, cooker and basic crockery. Set on one level, a ramp is provided for disabled access, the Pavilion will accommodate 60 close seated. There is minimal free car parking near the entrance to the gardens with Pay and Display parking within easy walking distance. Copyright Blandford Forum Town Council

The charge for hire of Woodhouse Garden Pavilion is £16.00 + VAT per session. Session times are the same as for the Corn Exchange.

Discount for Regular users (minimum of 10 pre-booked sessions) - 20%.

Proof of hirers Public Liability Insurance of £1,000,000 minimum is required. Otherwise the Town Council will arrange liability cover at a cost of 10.5% of the hire charges + Insurance Premium Tax + VAT.

To view any of the Town Council's venues or to make a booking please contact the Bookings Receptionist at the Town Council on 01258 454500 during office hours Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

 

 

Other Venues in and around the Town of Blandford

Blandford and its surrounding area has many other venue providers that may be able to meet your requirements. Please find details of them below along with their contact details.

 

Blandford Scout HQ

Eagle House Gardens

Blandford Forum

DT11 7BT

 

For further info contact: Peter Warrington on 01258 453550 

This community hall has 2 rooms (20’ x 30’) available, which can be combined to form a large ‘L’-shaped hall, if required. They can accommodate 120 people seated, more standing and have chairs, tables and kitchen facilities. There is ample parking for 30+ vehicles, toilets and disabled facilities. They accept long-term hires or regular bookings for clubs, groups and educational activities as well as occasional parties or private functions.  In addition there is ½ acre camp site with shower/toilet facilities that can be hired.   

Hire Charges are as follows:- 

09:00  - 12:30                £15.00
13:00  - 16:30                £15.00
18:30  -  22:30               £25.00 

Parties (by agreement)          £25.00

The charges include the use of the kitchen and there are discounts for long-term hires.

 

 

Blandford Evangelical Church

Albert Street

Blandford Forum

For further info contact: Joy Steel on 01258 459756 

This venue has flexible accommodation that can take up to 300 people in its main room including a seated balcony area. In addition it has a 20’ x 20’ room with an adjoining kitchen, 3 smaller upstairs rooms (1 x 10’ x 10’, 2 x 8’x8’), a library room, a crêche and a youth room with pool table. It boasts a raised platform area, spotlights, a PA system, tables and chairs and kitchen facilities. There are toilets and parking, although this is limited to 6 cars with further space for 8 on the road. The disabled facilities are under review at the moment. The venue is generally only available for hire by members of the community who have some contact with the church or its activities. The building is regularly in use and for this reason hiring out is restricted.

 

Williams Opportunity Hall

For further info contact: Louise Pridmore on 07815 457861

This community hall has a main hall of 9m x 11.5m, a smaller meeting room, coffee room and a small garden. The main hall can seat 70, and there is a kitchen and tables and chairs. In addition there is a specially equipped sensory room, children’s play equipment, a piano and a sound system. There are toilets and the hall has been designed and equipped with disabled visitors in mind. The venue accepts club/group activities, children’s parties, keep fit classes and band practices. It is also available for occasional private parties and functions. In school term times it is unavailable on Tuesday , Wednesday and Friday mornings. 

Hire charges are as follows:- 

£10.00 per hour or £25.00 per session (i.e. 3 hrs per session) and this is reduced to £22.00 per session for regular users.

The daily charge is £60.00 rising to £80.00 if an evening is included. 

Late, frequent, function or Sunday bookings are by negotiation and if the hall is left in an unsatisfactory condition an additional charge of £10.00 is made. Any damage is to be paid by the hirer.

 

 

Blandford United Reformed Church

Salisbury Street

Blandford Forum

For further info contact: Mrs M Evans 01258 450518 (Bookings) or 01258 459939 (Church Office) 

This venue has 1 hall and 2 rooms for hire.  The main hall can seat 70 and the other rooms can manage 35 and 20 people seated. Equipment includes a stage, lighting, sound system, changing rooms and 2 kitchens. There are parking facilities, toilets, disabled facilities, and a baby changing unit. The venue is hired by clubs and groups, and also holds a mini-market on a Tuesday morning. Their Sunday worship times are 10.30am for the family service and 6.30pm on alternate evenings with the Methodist Church.

Details of hiring times can be obtained from the Lettings Manager, Mrs Margaret Evans on 01258 837767.   

The charges are as follow:- 

£6.00 per hour for the hall
£5.00 per hour for other rooms
£1.50 per hour for the main kitchen  

 

 

Blandford Methodist Church

The Close

Blandford Forum

DT11 7HA

For further info contact: Christine or Grahame Downer on 01258 860767 

This venue has various rooms to hire. The venue has amplification systems and loops systems in the church and hall, an organ, a moveable stage, 3 pianos, tables and chairs and baby changing facilities. There is a kitchen, toilets and disabled facilities. There is parking but it is limited, however there are various car parking facilities close by in the town. The types of booking accepted are clubs and groups, coffee mornings, children’s parties, and musical events . The venue is generally unavailable on Sunday mornings. 

Hire charges are as follows:-  

Chapel - seats 130

£28.00 each session

 

Church Hall - seats 80

£21.00 morning and afternoon session

£28.00 evening session

 

Fellowship Room - seats 20

£10.50 morning and afternoon session

£14.00 evening session

 

The premises has toilet facilities, including toilets for disabled use.

Main Kitchen Facilities £5.50 per booking (not including dishwasher) 

De-mountable Stage - £8.00 per booking 

Discounts - 25%  applicable to Registered Charities, Other Charitable Organisations, Regular Users (discounts at the discretion of the Lettings Officer).

 

Session Times

am   -           09:00 to 13:00
pm   -           13:30 to 17:30
Evening   -       18:00 to 22:00

 

Pimperne Village Hall
Pimperne
Dorset

For further info contact: Robina Pierrepont on 01258 459034

This excellently appointed village hall, built in 1990, has one main room measuring 28' wide by 54' long and a smaller meeting/committee room that can be hired separately from the main hall. The commitee room can accommodate up to 20 people seated and the main hall can hold about 100 seated. There is a separate kitchen, stocked with professional catering equipment that has a closable serving hatch into the main hall.  The hall enjoys lot of natural daylight with floor to ceiling windows and all have full length curtains. There are tables, chairs, central heating, an amplification loop for the hard of hearing, a sound system with amplifier and microphone, and a de-mountable stage. Badminton courts are marked out on the floor of the main hall and there is a payphone in the Committee room. There are toilets and extensive parking facilities for up to 50 cars. Disabled access into the hall is excellent and there is a large disabled toilet. The hall accepts bookings for meetings, club activities such as knitting, short mat bowls, badminton, toddlers groups, brownies, music nights and occasional parties and private functions.  

Booking fees for the main hall are £14.00 for the morning session, £18.00 for the afternoon, and £25.00 between 6pm and 10pm. The fees for the Committee Room are £10.50 for each session whatever time of day, again up to 10 pm. 

The hall is well used and details of available hiring times are available from the Lettings Manager, Robina Pierrepont on 01258 459034. 

 

Archbishop Wake First School

Black Lane

Blandford Forum

DT11 8SW

 

For further info contact: Richard Chapman on 01258 453120

This school has various rooms available. Please call to enquire. Typical bookings are for club activities, and church related activities. During term-time bookings are restricted until after 6 pm. 

Hire charges vary so contact the school for more information.

 

 

Durweston Village Hall

Durweston

 

For further info contact: Davina Tanner on 01258 488883

This newly built village hall(2003) has one main room of approximately 130 m² and a separate meeting room of 23m² for hire. Each room can accommodate up to 170 and 16 people respectively and connect to a very comprehensively equipped kitchen with catering for 120+.  Facilities includes a stage, lighting, sound systems, hearing loop, changing rooms, chairs and tables and a fully functional IT community learning centre with 5 desktop computers, 2 laptops and wireless internet connection, scanner and colour printers. The hall also has a digital data projector for showing films (VHS/DVD) and VGA projections and also Freesat digital TV. There are toilets and ample parking facilities. There is good disabled access and toilet facilities. Typical bookings are for meetings, film shows, theatre productions, private parties and weddings. For more information please visit our website at www.durweston.org.uk  

Hire charges vary but are typically £37.00 per session and there are local rates for village residents.  Special rates for evening parties and weddings.

 

Charlton Marshall Village Hall
Green Close
Charlton Marshall
Dorset

For further info contact: Paul Hannam on 01258 459153

This excellently equipped hall has one main room measuring approximately 25' wide by 65' long and has a stage at one end with an associated changing room containing its own WC. The hall can accommodate up to 180 people standing, up to 146 seated and up to 90 seated at tables. There is also a modern well stocked kitchen that has two closable serving hatches into the main hall. The hall enjoys lots of natural daylight and has fully double glazed windows with neat roller blinds. There are tables, chairs, heating, an amplification loop for the hard of hearing, a sound system, stage lighting, network cabling for PC's, a wipe board, exhibition display boards, and toddlers' gym equipment .  There are toilets and baby changing facilities. Outside there are extensive parking facilities and a separate play area. Disabled access into the hall is excellent and there is a large disabled toilet. The hall accepts bookings for meetings, club activities, indoor bowls, ladies aerobics, toddlers gym classes, brownies, cubs, beavers, scouts, art workshops and exhibitions, dog training classes and occasional parties or private functions.

The general hire rate is £6.50/hr but for regular or contract bookings this reduces to £4.50/hr. Charity events such as jumble sales can hire the hall for £18.00 for the afternoon and private functions such as afternoon and evening wedding receptions are charged at a rate of £6.50/hr up to a maximum of £80.00.

The hall is very well used and details of available hiring times are available from Paul Hannam on 01258 459153.