“St Mary's was a very happy home for our six month rehearsal period in 2013. It's a lovely, atmospheric and open space and it was also wonderful to be able to work outdoors (when weather permitted!).”
Jo Sykes, Chairman - Chester Mystery Plays

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Hiring St Mary’s Creative Space

St Mary's is available to hire for a wide range of events and activities from rehearsals and workshops to talks lectures, meetings and public performances. We always encourage anyone hiring for the first time to come along and see it beforehand to make the most of your booking.

To talk through your requirements and check availability please contact the booking team by email HERE, or by phone on 01244 972008.

We regret that the building cannot be hired for private parties, DJ / club nights in the evening as this causes too much disruption for local residents.

For further information about the venue and the facilities available, including a plan with dimensions, please refer to the Information Pack:

If you hire St Mary’s you must agree to abide by our Conditions of Use

Frequently Asked Questions

Is St Mary’s available for anyone to hire?
Yes! It can be hired by individuals, groups or organisations for a range of activities and events such as rehearsals, workshops, meetings and performances.
What sound and lighting equipment is available?
A basic sound and lighting system is installed at St Mary's Creative Space consisting of a portable operation rack with a 16 channel desk, a DMX lighting console and a handheld radio mic. 4 x full range 12’ speaker units giving full coverage across the standard seating area of the venue and 6 x RGBW LED Cans provides a basic LED wash across the space.

Please inform us during your booking if you would like to use the sound and/or lighting system.
Are there breakout rooms?
No, although there are spaces within the venue where different groups can work. While it is possible to put up screens, sound will carry around the venue.
What is the seating capacity?
The number of people in the building at any one time must not exceed 200.

Seating capacities vary depending upon the layout of the space. For a good view of the stage we recommend a maximum of 146 seats.
Is there any information about the size of the venue?
We do have a plan of St Mary’s (download HERE) drawn up by Peter Herbert Productions for Theatre in the Quarter’s production of Alice in 2014, but we would always recommend that you visit the venue and measure up yourself, particularly if you are having a set designed. You should also be aware that the floor is uneven.
Can we use a smoke machine?
Yes, but as this would require us to turn off the fire alarm you would have to have a minimum of £10million public liability insurance and it will need to be considered in your risk assessment.
Is there a piano?
There is an upright piano in St Mary's - all those hiring the venue are able to use it free of charge. There is also a grand piano which can be hired for an additional cost. Details and booking form below.
Is the building heated?
Yes, although being an old church built of sandstone when it is very cold outside it can sometimes be cold inside too.

Billing Rates

Your total cost will be confirmed by the St Mary’s team once the booking form is submitted.

Commercial rate (commercial, private events and community or charitable event with income; eg ticket sales)
1hr
£23
2hr
£46
3hr
£69
4hr
£84
5hr
£104
6hr
£124
7hr
£144
8hr
£164
Over 8hrs - £164 + £20 per each hour or part of
Weekly rate - £630
Community rate (community, charitable event with no income)
1hr
£18.50
2hr
£37
3hr
£55.50
4hr
£58
5hr
£70
6hr
£82
7hr
£94
8hr
£105
Over 8hrs - £105 + £12 per each hour or part of
Weekly rate - £420
The booking charge will be based on the whole period of time you are in the building e.g. from time of access. Events with income that have pre-event access during the evening will be charged the commercial rate from 6.30pm. E.g. if your event starts at 7.30pm but you are in the building from 6.30pm the first hour and any clear up time will also be charged at the full commercial rate.

Charges will be made for each half hour or part of e.g. 1 hr 15 mins will be charged for 1hr and a half hours use. If you hire the venue at community rate for 3.5 hours (3.5 x £18.50 = £64.75) you would be charged the lower 4hr / half day rate of £58.

For a Community group booking for an activity that has two sessions e.g. morning rehearsal and evening concert each session will be charged separately unless the set-up of the room is prohibitive to other users. So a morning rehearsal would be charged at a Community Rate and the Evening Concert at the Commercial rate.

Cancellation
Cancellation by the Hirer 14 days or less prior to the event will require the Hirer to pay 50% of the Booking fee.
Cancellation by the Hirer 24 hours or less prior to the event will require the Hirer to pay the full Booking fee.
Performing Rights etc
Please note that if your event includes music St Mary’s has a PRS and PPL licence. These allow royalties to be paid to artists when their music is performed or played. We will require information about your event to submit information to PRS and PPL and we will recharge you for this licence cost.
CW&C Public Liability Insurance
Select below if required
10% of hiring cost

Booking Form

* Required fields

Any details given are used solely for the purposes of dealing with your enquiry and facilitating your use of St Mary’s, in accordance with our Privacy Notice.

About You
Your Activity
If you are holding a popular or classical music concerts event, please note that for purposes of the Music Licence we will require figures from the box office takings.
A copy of our fire and evacuations procedures document will be included with the receipt email for this form. This should be passed to the Responsible Adult.

For a Community group booking for an activity that has two sessions (e.g. morning rehearsal and evening concert) each session will be charged separately unless the set-up of the room is prohibitive to other users. So a morning rehearsal would be charged at a Community rate and the Evening Concert at the Commercial rate.

To include set-up and get-out time; piano tuning, deliveries etc.
Numbers Anticipated

Cancellation by the Hirer 14 days or less prior to the event will require the Hirer to pay 50% of the Booking fee. Cancellation by the Hirer 24 hours or less prior to the event will require the Hirer to pay the full Booking fee.

Activity Requirements
If yes, our alcohol policy document will be sent out to you. This must be returned for approval by our DPS. If documents are not approved you will not have permission to use our alcohol licence.

If you do require the Grand Piano please download the booking form and send it to Chester Music Society (details on form).

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Piano Tuning

Tuning of the grand piano before each use is required by the owners, and will incur a further charge. A list of approved tuners can be supplied.

You can contact CMS directly on:
01244 381995

Building Support Officers
If you require a Business Support Officer to be present at your event or rehearsal please can you include all information below. Please note this will be charged additionally at an hourly rate.
Public Liability Insurance
All hirers should have Public Liability Insurance to hire St Mary’s Creative Space. Individuals wishing to be covered under the Council’s insurance policy must be notified to the Risk and Insurance Team in advance of the hire. This will cost 10% of your total hire charges. You should contact the team on 01244 977710.

Please note: Formalised groups/societies/companies should have their own insurance cover in place.
*Proof will be required later
Please refer to the Conditions of Use for insurance requirements.
All done?

By clicking Submit you are agreeing to abide by our Conditions of Use:

Data Protection
Cheshire West and Chester take your privacy seriously and will only use the personal information provided in this form to support and arrange your hire of St Mary’s and to invoice for your hire of St Mary’s. Your information will be accessed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Qwest (who provide business support to CWAC) and any contracted support for the running and programming of St Mary’s.

We will not pass your contact details on to any other third parties. Please click here to see a copy of our privacy notice for St Mary’s.

Once your booking is confirmed, don’t forget you can add it to our What’s On? listings HERE.

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