1. 1. Introduction

1.1 In this agreement the MAC means the MAC(Metropolitan Arts Centre) Trading Co Limited (Company number N1604239) and 'The Hirer' refers to the person or business booking with the MAC.

1.2 Any amendments or additions to this agreement are only valid if confirmed in writing by the MAC.

1.3 The Hirer agrees to adhere to the full terms and conditions of hire including the schedule of payments detailed in the agreement.

1.4 The Hirer will not use the room for any activities other than in connection with its business and shall not permit the room to be used for any illegal activity.

1.5 The MAC is determined in its provision of services, policies & procedures to seek to show respect to all users irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, gender reassignment, marital status or ethnic origin and will not tolerate any behaviour inconsistent with this approach by the Hirer or its representatives.

1.6 The MAC does not accept any responsibility for any item of furniture, personal effects or other belongings left in the room, and has the right to dispose of such property, the costs of such disposal being the responsibility of the Hirer's representatives.

1.7 The Hirer will not use the room in any way that results in annoyance or disturbance to the MAC or other people and occupiers of the building. This includes, without limitation, conduct which is unlawful, or which may harass or cause distress or inconvenience to any person. This also includes the transmission or public display of obscene or offensive content.

2. Periods and duration of agreement

2.1 The normal periods of hire will be confirmed in writing by the Event Sales Team.

2.2 Bookings confirmed by the Hirer will only be secure once the room hire deposit has been received.

3. Specified facilities included in hire

3.1 Facilities detailed and specified in the agreement are for use by the Hirer over the duration and periods detailed above.

3.2 The MAC may request you to use an alternative room in the building from time-to-time and this substituted room shall become the room for the purposes of this agreement.

4. Rates of hire

4.1 Any additional charges incurred by the MAC beyond the limitations of this agreement are rechargeable to the Hirer.

4.2 All rates are subject to VAT at the normal rate.

4.3 Details of rates chargeable under this agreement will be listed to you. Some items such as catering and technical resources may be added to the final invoice after the event.

4.4 Surcharges may be levied for late vacation of space hired, at the minimum rate of EIOO+VAT per hour or part thereof. These surcharges will be included in the Hirer's final invoice.

5. Payment terms

5.1 We will normally require a deposit prior to your event. This will be indicated to the Hirer. Any deposit paid is non-refundable unless within the cancellation policy terms in point 6.

5.2 The balance will be invoiced after the event and payment must be made on receipt of our invoice(s) unless there is prior agreement otherwise.

6. Cancellation by the Hirer

6.1 If the event is cancelled between one month and two months from the hire date, the Hirer's deposit will be retained by the MAC. Over two months' notice and 50% of the deposit will be retained.

6.2 If the event is cancelled between 14 and 28 days from the event start date, 50% of the estimated booking value will be charged.

6.3 If the event is cancelled between O and 14 days from the event date, 100% of the estimated booking value will be charged.

7. Cancellation by the MAC

7.1 The MAC reserves the right to cancel the booking in the event that:

a) The MAC or any part of it is closed due to fire, dispute with employees, altercation, decoration, by order of any public authority or as a result of any circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the arts centre.

b) The Hirer becomes insolvent or enters into liquidation, administration or receivership.

c) The Hirer is more than 30 days in arrears with payment to the MAC.

d) The Hirer or the event might prejudice the reputation of the MAC. In such an event, the MAC's only liability to the customer shall be the refund of any advance payment paid in connection with the cancelled booking (when the refund will be at the discretion of the MAC if the cancellation was made under (b), (c) or (d) above).

8. Catering

8.1 Notification of final numbers for catering should be given at least 72 hours prior to the commencement of the event. The confirmed figure or the number of guests actually attending, whichever is the greater, will be used for invoicing purposes. The MAC has the sole right for provision of all food and liquor within the venue.

9. Liability and insurances

9.1 The MAC accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any property of the Hirer or its guests. It is the responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that full insurance cover is in place for any items brought to the venue.

9.2 Furniture and Equipment belonging to the MAC should not normally be moved or operated by the Hirer or any delegate attending an event unless authorised to do so by a member of the MAC staff.

9.3 Any damages caused to the building or its contents are the full responsibility of the Hirer and the repair or replacement will be charged in full. Also, any loss of business that the damage caused incurs will be charged to the Hirer in full.

9.4 The Hirer will not damage any of the decorations, fixtures and fittings or other equipment in the room. The Hirer will not remove any decorations, fixtures or fittings or other equipment from the room. In the event that you or your guests damage/remove any part of the room, you will be held liable for all costs incurred by the MAC.

10. Electrical safety

10.1 The MAC reserves the right to confiscate or take out of use any electrical equipment brought on site that the MAC's Technical department classes as electrically unsafe. All electrical items brought onto site must be PAT tested and documentary evidence provided.

11. Smoking policy

11.1 The MAC is a no smoking building. If a fire alarm is triggered due to individuals not complying with the smoking policy all costs incurred to the activation will be charged on in full to the Hirer.

11.2 If a delegate/guest is discovered smoking inside the non-smoking areas the Hirer will be liable for any costs or fines incurred as a result and the delegate will be asked to leave the building immediately.

12. Health and Safety

12.1 It is the Hire's responsibility to ensure that an attendees' record sheet is available should the MAC need to be evacuated. An evacuation briefing will be given to the client on arrival.

12.2 Hirers should provide a full risk assessment of any event and provide documentation of public liability insurance up to the value of E5 million.

13. Child Protection

13.1 Any Hirer whose activities involve children, young people under 18, is legally required to have a Child Protection Policy in place. The MAC, prior to accepting the Hire, or at any point during the course of the Hire, may require a copy of this policy.

Events Sales Live Performances Booking

Applicable in addition to the General Terms and Conditions

1. Any personnel contracted by you (or working for you voluntarily) during the event are subject to the authority of the Operations Manager, Business Development Manager, Duty Managers and the Technical Manager (or their deputies). In particular they must abide by all the rules of the venue; ensure that they are fully aware of all fire, safety and emergency procedures; and do nothing to cause a breach of our Premises License or agreed Health & Safety Procedures.
2. As promoters of the event you are fully responsible for the program; for securing any necessary permissions and licenses; for meeting any required copyright payments or distributors fees; and for the contracting and payment of artists and your own production staff.
3. The Hirer is responsible for the completion of all documentation and payment of all fees to the Performing Rights Society where appropriate.
4. You are responsible for all tax, VAT and any other financial liabilities relating to any ticket sales that the MAC makes on your behalf.
5. Where the MAC is providing and selling tickets on your behalf, any request by you as the promoter to be allocated a number of these for private sale should be notified to us in advance together with the name(s) of those people who are authorised by you to take complimentary tickets from us.
6. You are required to use a specified number of Front of House Assistants for each performance which will be provided by the MAC and agree to pay the set rate for any additional hours as set out in your contract.
7. There is 20% commission charged for the sale of any merchandise.
8. The MAC provides a comprehensive Box Office Service which is charged at 10% commission on total ticket sales revenue.
9. Any arrangements for catering and hospitality must be made directly with the MAC. We regret that we cannot permit you to bring in your own food or drink or use outside caterers on our premises.
10. The MAC can provide technical support to service your booking and this service will be charged at the prevailing rate.
11. The Hirer must not obstruct the gangways, aisles, corridors, stairs, landings, entrances or exits of the Theatre with chairs, tables, furniture or any other equipment.
12. The Hirer must not bring or install any lighting or heating apparatus (electrical or otherwise) into the Theatre without the consent and in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Manager.
13. The Hirer may not use effects such as smoke, pyrotechnics, strobe lighting, open flame, confetti/ snow, C02 or oil without the prior written consent of the Technical Manager.
14. The MAC's Technical Manager or Technical staff may refuse to allow any article or appliance which may be considered dangerous to be bought into the Theatre.
15. The Hirer must repay to us on demand the cost of reinstating all or any part of the Theatre, or any property in or upon the Theatre, which is damaged, destroyed, stolen or removed during the Hire Period or prior to the Hire Period if the damage is in relation to or caused by the Hirer.
16. All technical requirements such as: the proposed position of the lighting desk; sound desk; sets; staging and any other furniture required for your event must be discussed and agreed with the MAC's Technical Manager 4 weeks in advance of the hire period. The MAC reserves the right to provide, and charge for, technical staff if it believes that failure to do so would compromise the technical quality of the show.
17. Unless agreed otherwise rigging/setting of lights can only be done during the dates/times as specified on your contract and in-line with MAC safe systems of work.
18. Contracts must be signed and returned within 1 month of receipt together with a deposit which is nonreturnable unless within our cancellation policy. Cancellations giving less than 8 weeks' notice or any performance/event withdrawn by you which has been advertised in the MAC's brochure will be subject to a fee of 50% of the stated theatre hire charge less any deposit paid.
19. The MAC cannot be liable for any claim, loss or damage sustained by you as a result of failing to provide the room and/or the services by reason of force maieure, mechanical breakdown or any other reason beyond the MAC's control or due to the delay or failure of any MAC staff member to perform their duties. In no circumstances shall the MAC be liable for any loss of profits, loss of business or consequential losses suffered by you.
20. All charges under this agreement are exclusive of VAT, which will be charged to you at the standard rate. Any additional charges for use of services (such as administration services, photocopying etc.) will also be subject to VAT. Any additional charges will be included in your final invoice.
21. . The MAC endeavours to be accessible to a diverse audience on a fair and equal basis and will not permit public promotion of any specific religious or political beliefs to the detriment of others.
22. . In line with current smoke free legislation where the artistic integrity of a performance makes it appropriate for a person to smoke on stage, the smoke free legislation does not apply. This exemption does not apply to rehearsals. You agree to, and are responsible for, informing both the MAC and Belfast City Council in writing at least four weeks in advance of any intention to smoke during a performance and you take full responsibility for all costs and liabilities associated with this legislation in regard to your performance & any associated rehearsals. You also agree to ensure that all your guests and representatives are aware of, and fully comply with, this legislation.