Here are some of the questions we are regularly asked. This page will be continually updated as new queries are raised.
Yes. The hall manager is part-time and works in the Community Office at the hall. Normal office hours are Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 12:30. Please contact the hall manager to arrange a convenient time to visit the hall when both halls are available.
The hall manager is part-time and works in the Community Office at the hall. Normal office hours are Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 12:30.
For non-urgent matters, it is recommended that the hall manager is contacted by email (enquiries@benendenvillagehall.org).
For general enquiries or to discuss a booking, the hall manager can be contacted during working hours on 07419 989830.
For urgent matters, or issues whilst at the hall, the hall manager can be contacted on 07562 993856.
See: Hall Manager
If you will be selling and supplying alcohol at your event, you will require a licence to do so. Arrangements can be made to use the hall’s alcohol licence or you can apply to the local authority for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) that will last for 7 days. A licence will not be required for alcohol being given away providing there is no charge / donation. If alcohol is included as part of a ticket or entrance fee, then a licence will be required.
See: Bars / Alcohol
Yes. Bouncy castles and other inflatable activities are permitted at Benenden Village Hall.
See: Children’s Parties
Benenden Village Hall holds a Premises Licence for licensed activities between the hours of 09:00 and 23:00 permitting plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music, dance performances, and the sale & supply of alcohol. A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) will be required for licensed activities outside of these hours. Parties and events usually finish by 11:00 pm with the hall being hired until midnight for clearing up.
Yes. Benenden Village Hall is available to hire 365 days of the year.
Yes. Discounted rates are available for parish residents or persons hiring the hall on a regular basis or making block bookings.
A discounted rate, equivalent to 10 hours at the appropriate hourly hire charge, is also available for anyone hiring the entire venue for the whole day.
See: Hire Charges
Yes. The times of the booking must include any time required for setting up and for clearing away afterwards. Hirers are asked to leave the hall clean & tidy as there may be other hirers using the venue after them. The cleaning cupboard in the foyer / lobby has a range of cleaning equipment.
Yes. We have approx. 200 banquet style chairs and a selection of tables of different shapes and sizes that hirers are welcome to use. There are 40 additional folding chairs stored on the balcony area.
See: Tables & Chairs
No. Hirers are responsible for setting up the hall and clearing up after use. Trolleys are available for moving tables & chairs. The hall manager is part-time and works in the Community Office at the hall if there are any issues. Normal office hours are Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 12:30.
Yes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. The router is located in the Community Office with Wi-Fi repeaters / extenders at key locations.
QR Codes are displayed around the building for connecting to the Wi-Fi network without needing to enter a password.
Network: Benenden Village Hall
Password: Benenden2024!
See: Wi-Fi
There are ample coat hooks in the foyer for hanging up hats, coats & umbrella’s etc. These are situated in the corridor leading to the toilets.
A row of lower-level coat hooks are also available for children to use.
There is a well-equipped communal kitchen at the hall with crockery, cutlery, glassware, plastics (see Communal Facilities). Hirers are welcome to use anything in the kitchen.
Please note that there are no sharp knives at the hall so you may need to bring suitable utensils for cutting cake, quiches, etc.
Yes. Benenden Village Hall has lots of equipment (tables, chairs, whiteboards, portable bars, projector screens, kitchen appliances, crockery, cutlery, glassware, plastics, pots & pans) that hirers are welcome to use at no extra cost. Additional charges are made for using the entertainment equipment (including sound system, microphones, party lights & mirror ball), projector, stage lighting & tablecloths.
See: Hire Charges
The main hall has capacity for a maximum of 195 people (standing), 180 seated for shows, lectures, etc. and 120 guests at formal functions with large round tables seating 8-10 persons.
The maximum capacity for the small hall / meeting room would depend on the purpose for which it is being hired / used. With seating in rows for a meeting / lecture, a maximum of 50 persons could be comfortably accommodated (extra chairs are stored in the main hall table & chair storage cupboard) whereas a class such as yoga or Pilates, requiring more space for each person, may only accommodate about 6-10 persons.
The maximum capacity for the entire venue (main hall + small hall) is 195 persons.
Yes. Once a booking has been comfirmed and a booking form received, the hirer will be sent an invoice. A £50.00 non-returnable deposit is required (payable upon receipt of the invoice) to secure the booking with the balance due 2 weeks prior to the event.
The preferred method of payment is by bank transfer using the bank details on the invoice. Cheques can be accepted in the Community Office at the hall (made payable to Benenden Village Hall) either in person, by post or in an envelope posted through the letterbox. Please quote the invoice number in all correspondence.
Card payments can be taken at the hall but due to transaction charges an additional fee may be charged.
Cash cannot be accepted and no cash is kept on the premises.
Yes. There is ample free parking for use by persons visiting the hall with space for up to 60 vehicles, including designated disabled parking spaces next to the entrance.
The car park is a private car park owned and maintained by Benenden Village Trust for use by persons using trust facilities including the hall, recreation field and children’s play area in addition to the bowls club. However it is difficult to control and prevent others from using the car park. There is additional free parking in the village including around the nearby village green.
For large events (weather permitting), consideration may be given to using the recreation field for additional parking. This is strictly by arrangement only (additional charges may apply).
Please note that overnight parking is not permitted unless by prior arrangement.
Yes. There are designated disabled parking spaces next to the entrance. The footpath in the car park has dropped kerbs for pushchairs, wheelchairs & mobility scooters. There are no steps when accessing the hall. Doorways are wide enough for wheelchair access with easy access to the main hall, small hall / meeting room, kitchen & toilets. There is an accessible toilet in the foyer / lobby. The sound system in the main hall incorporates a hearing loop for use with compatible hearing aids.
There is no access to the main hall stage or balcony area for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Access to the changing rooms is possible using the rear door which must be secured after use.
Benenden Village Hall has a state-of-the-art facial recognition door entry system that controls access to the building via the main entrance.
Regular hirers have a photo uploaded on to the system. As they approach the main entrance, the door entry camera will recognise them and unlock the door which can then be pulled open. A ‘welcome’ message will be heard when a regular hirer has been recognised. Access may be restricted to the days & times when hirers are permitted to use the hall.
Other hirers will be issued with a temporary QR Code together with instructions on how to access the building. Access will be restricted to the date & times for which the hall has been hired. Hirers will be contacted by email prior to their booking with a temporary QR Code and instructions.
The hall manager also has a limited supply of proximity cards that can be provided to regular hirers or borrowed by other hirers, contractors, etc.
Benenden Village Hall encourages hirers to recycle their waste. Whilst it is appreciated if hirers can take any waste away with them, hirers may also use the large general waste and recycling bins at the hall.
There are plenty of waste bins around the building for both general waste and dry mixed recycling. Hirers should empty all bins at the end of their event. General waste should be in black sacks, tied and placed in the large general waste bin / container (extra black sacks are available in the kitchen & cleaning cupboard). Dry mixed recycling (cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs & trays, paper, food tins & drink cans) should be placed loose in the large recycling bin / container.
Please note: Glass cannot be recycled at Benenden Village Hall. Hirers are asked to take any glass items, such as bottles, away with them for recycling.
The waste bins / containers are kept locked to prevent unauthorised use. The key for the bins is located on a hook in the communal kitchen by the fire exit. Please lock the bins after use.
Yes. There are baby changing tables in both the ladies and accessible toilets.
The hall has an online calendar that is up-to-date with bookings for the entire venue, main hall, small hall / meeting room, and recreation field. Simply click on a particular entry for more information including the duration of each booking.
Yes. Benenden Village Hall welcomes assistance dogs and well-behaved pets with responsible owners.
Please ensure that pets are cleaned up after.
