“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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    St Mary's is open again and available for hire. We are in a staged re-opening phase and capacity will gradually increase over the coming weeks. We do not yet have a date scheduled for when we can use the building at full capacity. Please contact us for more detail on the capacity.

    St Mary's has received Cultural Recovery Funding and some of this funding is being used to help support organisations hiring the venue in the initial period of re-opening. Unfortunately the fund is limited so we cannot guarantee support for all those hiring over the next few months.

    Additional documentation relating to hiring St Mary's during COVID has been added to this page, including the risk assessment considerations here:

    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 us by email using the contact form, 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.

    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?
    There is no sound equipment in the venue and lighting is limited to the overhead lights. You can bring in sound and lighting (provided it has been PAT tested) – don’t forget to factor in the cost of hiring equipment when thinking about using the venue.
    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. This number is suitable if people are standing. Due to health and safety reasons a maximum of 170 seats is recommended.
    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.
    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 event with income)
    1hr
    £23
    2hr
    £46
    3hr
    £69
    4hr
    £84
    5hr
    £104
    6hr
    £124
    7hr
    £144
    8hr
    £164
    Over 8hrs - £158 + £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

    RED Title = Required field

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

    If you do require the Grand Piano please download the booking form HERE and send it to Chester Music Society via the details shown on the form.
    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. Those 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 can contact the team on 01244 972333.
    *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 using the Submit an Event button at the foot of the page HERE.