Town Hall
Thornbury Town Hall, High Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AR
The Town Hall is a grade II listed building which has a rich and diverse history, pieced together with the sterling efforts of Thornbury Museum and council staff. The earliest record we have dates back to 1590 when the site was home to a tavern. The current building was constructed in 1785 and has passed through residential use, a police station, magistrates court and finally converted to the Town Hall in 1994. We have retained as many historic features as possible, including the old police cells, stained glass window, grandfather clock and extensive cellar. We participate in the annual Heritage Open Doors Event each September where we open the building up to the public to come and view these features. If you would like to visit us, we can’t pull you a pint any more, but the Over 60’s Tea Room located in the side of the building may be able to offer you a custard cream. You can also take a trip upstairs to the Volunteer Centre located on the first floor. We can help with local issues including cemetery arrangements and green spaces. Council and committee meetings are held in the Council Chamber here.
You can contact the office on: 01454 412 103 or info@thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk
Heritage Open Days
Each year, Thornbury Town Hall takes part in the national Heritage Open Days event, to welcome the public into our building and show you some of its rich history. In 2023, it will be on Saturday 9th September, between 10am and 2pm. Guided tours of the building are available, with Councillors providing information on the history of the property and its current and former uses. A variety of artefacts of historic interest will be available to view.
The ground and first floors are accessible by wheelchair users via a lift, however, the basement is only accessible by steps. No prebooking is required, you can just turn up! The contact for the day is Cllr Chris Davies – 07711 94 64 60.
For a full list of events in the area, check out the Heritage Open Days website.
Hiring Charges
Facility
- Exhibition Room Mon, Wed, Thu (9.15am-4.30pm) Fri (9.15am-3.45pm)
- Council chamber (Mon – Thu 9.15am-4:30pm) Fri (9.15am – 3.45pm)
- Shared use of kitchenette
- Use of urn and trolley
- Crockery (subject to availability)
Charges
- £9 per hour
- £13.50 per hour
- £9.60 per session
- £9.60 per session
- £4.20 per session
Exhibition Room, Council Chamber and kitchenette are located on the first floor (accessible by stairs or lift). All breakages and losses will be charged at cost.
Minimum booking is 3 hours.
Rates shown are for charitable and non-profit making purposes only, rates for commercial or individual profit-making use are DOUBLE those shown.
Deposits are required at the time of booking or not less than one month before the date of the function as follows:
- Events of a commercial nature or involving personal gain – 100% of charge
- Other events – the Town Clerk may exercise her discretion to require a deposit of up to 100% of the charge without specifying reasons
For certain events such as exhibitions etc, grant aid may be available to cover part of the hiring charges. Details of Council’s policy on such grant aid are available on request.
Conditions of Hire
Bookings
Bookings must be made in writing on the appropriate form. Provisional bookings are telephone bookings must be confirmed by returning the completed application form to the office within 7 days. If no form is received within this 7 day period the booking will be deemed to have been cancelled. A photocopy of the completed application form will confirm the booking. Any alteration must be advised in writing not less than seven days before the booking and will be similarly confirmed.
Finishing Times
Hirers must vacate the premises by the time booked and this includes removal of equipment. Allowance for clearance should be made at the time of booking. If rooms are not completely cleared by the time booked an additional charge may be made.
No function may extend beyond 4:30pm Mon-Thu and 3:45pm on a Friday, including clearance time.
Deposits
Deposits are payable at the time of booking as detailed in the list of hiring charges. The Town Clerk reserves the right to demand a deposit from any hirer without giving reasons.
Cancellations
Any cancellation of bookings must be made in writing and the appropriate notice must be given as follows:
- Single bookings – 28 days
- One of a series of bookings – 28 days
- A series of bookings – 2 calendar months
A series of bookings shall be defined as three or more dates booked at the same time by the same hirer. Failure to give the appropriate written notice will incur the basic charge for the facility booked.
Refusal to accept bookings
The Council acting through the Town Clerk reserves the right to refuse to accept any booking, to cancel any booking or to impose special conditions in respect of any booking without specification of reasons.
Breakages
The costs of replacement or repair of any breakage of equipment or damage to the building or its fixtures and fittings will be charged in full to the hirer. Any breakage or damage must be reported immediately to a member of the caretaking staff. Any breakage or damage discovered after a function will be deemed to have occured during the function unless the hirer proves otherwise to the satisfaction of the Town Clerk.
Furniture layout and equipment
Hirers should advise the office of their requirements regarding furniture, layout and equipment not less than 14 days before the date of the function. Failure to do so may result in certain items being unavailable or the furniture not being laid out in a manner which the hirer would have wished.
Electrical equipment
If hirers intend to bring and use their own electrical equipment onto the premises, they must prove that it has been PAT tested, including brand new equipment. Failure to prove testing status will result in the item being prohibited from use.
Gaming
Gambling and the playing of games of chance on the premises are strictly prohibited.
Advertising Placards
No signs or notices may be placed on or near the Town Hall in advance of the event which they advertise.
Variation of hiring charges
The Council reserves the right to vary hiring charges at any time without notice. Charges applied to hirers will be those current at the time of the function rather than the time of the booking.
Occupier’s Liability Acts 1957 and 1984
All persons entering the Town Hall do so at their own risk and the Council accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury to them of their property arising from the entry upon or use of the premises, or use of any of the equipment provided in the premises. Hirers bringing valuables of any kind onto the premises are advised to ensure they are adequately insured against all risks.
Acceptance of hiring conditions
Completion of a hiring application form shall be deemed to confirm that the hirer accepts and agrees the hiring conditions detailed above and shall by legally bound by them.
Reviewed 1 April 2022
