Important factors to consider when choosing local halls for hire
If you’re looking for local halls for hire, and are struggling to find exactly what you need, are feeling overwhelmed with the choices available, or are simply unsure of where to start in order to find the ideal venue for your organisation, club, group or business meeting, this blog is for you.
5 things to consider when choosing local halls for hire
Location: Location really is everything! Making sure the venue you choose is easily found and accessed by your guests is, of course, paramount to the success of your event; whether a weekly community group, monthly business meeting or semi-regular sports club – if people can’t find or reach the venue easily & quickly by car, public transport or on foot, they’re less likely to attend.
Therefore, when searching specifically for local halls for hire, it’s important to either choose a hall near public transport links like local bus routes or the train station, or a hall in or close to the town centre.
Often, halls within your local schools are a practical choice for a wide variety of events; schools being well known within the community by the majority of local people, easy to get to and close to local transport links.
Budget/costs: Your budget will naturally determine a lot of the factors included in this list, such as the location, and size & capacity of the hall you choose and local halls within schools can often provide an affordable, spacious, and practical venue for your needs.
Space, capacity and seating available: Looking for a suitable space for 10 people, for example, is very different to looking for a suitable space for 150 people; typically you’ll pay more for a bigger venue, and you’ll require more facilities and amenities as a higher volume of people will have more and/or multiple needs.
It’s also important to carefully consider what your guests and/or participants will be required to do – will the event be seated or standing? Will you require a stage? Is it important for all guests/participants to have a clear view of the back or front of the hall? Making a list of practical questions such as these will help you choose a local hall for hire that perfectly – or as near perfect as possible – fits your needs.
What’s more, it’s important to note that standing capacity is greater than seated capacity and, if you’re hosting a dinner, capacity will be decreased further to account for the space needed to accommodate dinner tables.
Basic amenities and technical arrangements: Hosting a weekly coffee morning? Organising a monthly breakfast meeting? Holding a martial arts class? Planning a dance group for young adults? Each of these events will require different amenities to be provided, such as:
- Tea & coffee
- Free Wifi
- Toilets and baby changing area(s)
- Tables and chairs
- Lighting
- Plug sockets, speaker system(s) and/or lighting arrangements
If you’re holding a coffee morning for local new mums and their children, for example, you’ll likely require access to tea & coffee, toilets, and baby changing facilities; with the option to use a microwave for heating bottles and baby food. It’s always a good idea, therefore, to check whether a venue you’re interested in hiring comes with these kinds of amenities included, you’ll need to pay extra in order to have them provided or you’re required to supply your own.
Accessibility and parking: Especially if your chosen venue is a little way out of a built up area or further out of town, you’ll need to consider the possibility and availability of parking; will your guest be able to park on site? And, if not, is there free or affordable parking available within walking distance?
Alongside this, it’s extremely important to consider the mobility of your guests/participants and therefore the accessibility of the venue itself, not just the car park!
Will any guests using mobility aids, wheelchairs or any individuals who may experience limited mobility be able to enter and move through the building? Is there an accessible toilet available? These are all questions to be asked and answered early in your search.
Of course, there are many other things you may wish to consider when looking for the ideal venue to hire, those listed above are simply some of the most important and frequently asked factors – factors that will determine whether a local hall will suit your requirements.
If you’re looking for a local hall or venue for hire, please browse our available venues or contact us for more information.
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