Sowerby Parochial Hall consists of a main hall with a kitchen, ladies, gents and disabled toilets and a small car park. There is a separate small committee / meeting room (known as the Merriam Room) in the Annexe next door, with a kitchenette and disabled toilet.
The main hall measures about 55ft x 33ft and the entertainment licence capacity of the room is 120 people, though for comfort we recommend no more than 100. The Merriam Room measures 17ft x 14ft and could possibly hold up to 20 people, but again we would recommend no more than 15 for comfort. The main hall and the Merriam Room are equipped with tables and chairs. There is a stage in the main hall and stage lighting can be made available. There is a screen available in the main hall, but users must bring their own projector. The main hall floor is marked out for badminton.
There is one designated disabled parking space in the car park. There is wheelchair access to all parts of the hall (except the stage).
The kitchen is designed for large-scale catering and is charged for separately. It is equipped with crockery and cutlery, a large gas oven and hob (5 burners) and commercial dishwasher. The small room next to it is available for making tea/coffee for a small number. Please note - we do not supply tea towels. It is the responsibility of those hirers who wish to serve food to conform to current Food Safety legislation and to be aware of allergy issues.
The Annexe and Merriam Room
An Occasional Licence is required if alcohol is to be sold by retail. No licence is needed if alcohol is given free, for instance at a party. No alcohol may be supplied (whether by sale or otherwise) after 11.00pm.
The main hall and the Merriam Room can be booked separately or together. The hire charge is calculated on the accommodation and length of time required. Users should take into account time for setting up and clearing away when booking, so as not to clash with other bookings. Bookings for non-regular users must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the booking fee. The remainder must be paid 14 days before the date of the event.
In addition to the hire charge, a further charge may be made to cover damage caused by the Hirer's event, or any additional cleaning to normal required or the removal of any rubbish that has not been properly cleared away by the Hirer.
If the event is to be attended by children, it is the responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.
It may occasionally be necessary to cancel bookings for maintenance or other reasons, and we will give as much notice as possible. The hall is registered for use by North Yorkshire County Council as an emergency centre.
The Parochial Hall and Annexe are close to private houses. Nothing must be done in or in the vicinity that is likely to cause any nuisance or annoyance to neighbours or members of the public. Out of consideration for our neighbours, all events should be over by 11.30pm and parties and discos must finish by 11.00pm at the latest. Please note that we do not allow parties for teenagers and young people.
No animals are allowed on the premises, except for assistance dogs.
All electrical equipment used in the Parochial Hall and Annexe must hold a current PAT certificate.
The table below sets out the cost per hour of hiring until 30 September 2022:
