BLANC STORY STUDIO

Event & Studio Hire — Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern all bookings of Unit 5A, Universal Building, 37-49 Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JR (the "Studio") from Blanc Story Studio Ltd ("We", "Us", "Our"). By paying a holding deposit or confirming a booking, the person or organisation hiring the Studio ("You", "the Client") agrees to be bound by these Terms.

1. Booking & Payment

1.1 Holding Deposit

• All bookings are subject to availability and are confirmed only once a £200 holding deposit has been paid.

• The holding deposit is separate from your event total. It secures your date and covers any damage or excess cleaning.

• The holding deposit will be refunded within 5–10 working days of your event, provided:

• the Studio is left in its original, clean condition;

• no damage, repainting or excess cleaning is required; and

• all Studio rules and policies have been followed.

• By ticking the "Yes, I have read and acknowledge the Terms and Conditions" box when paying your deposit, you confirm your acceptance of, and agreement to be bound by, this contract and these Terms.

1.2 Balance Payment

• For standard bookings, the remaining balance is due 8 weeks before the event date.

• For short-notice bookings (less than 8 weeks away), full payment is due immediately to secure the booking.

• Failure to pay by the required deadline may result in cancellation of the booking (see Section 2).

1.3 Booking Hours

• You must book the total number of hours required, including setup and cleanup/breakdown time.

• Your booking start time should align with your decorator's or supplier's arrival, if applicable.

• Running over your booked time incurs a £100 fee if the event overruns by up to 30 minutes, plus a further £100 for each additional hour (or part hour). This also applies to full-day hire bookings that run beyond the 10-hour slot.

• Bookings may not run past midnight unless agreed with Us in advance. Any booking that runs past midnight, even by one minute, will incur a £200 charge, in addition to any other overrun fees due.

1.4 Furniture & Extras

• Bookings include tables, chairs and table linen for up to 30 guests, as set out in your package (full-day hire, 6-hour, weekday special, or hourly).

• Bookings for 30–130 guests require a custom quote; additional charges will apply.

• Any furniture or add-ons used on the day that were not pre-booked and confirmed may be charged for and deducted from your holding deposit.

2. Cancellations & Refunds

• 60+ days' notice: full refund of the event balance. The £200 holding deposit is non-refundable in all cases, as it secures your date against other bookings.

• 40–59 days' notice: 50% refund of the event balance.

• Less than 40 days' notice: no refund of the event balance.

If We need to cancel your booking (for example, due to loss of the Studio premises, an emergency, or circumstances beyond Our reasonable control), We will notify you as soon as possible and refund all sums paid, but We will not be liable for any other costs or losses this may cause you.

3. Rescheduling

• We're happy to accommodate one reschedule of your booking.

• 30+ days' notice: your holding deposit carries over to the new date.

• Less than 30 days' notice: your holding deposit is forfeited, and a new holding deposit is required to secure the new date.

4. Venue Use & Responsibilities

• Access to the Studio is permitted only during your booked hours.

• Setup and pack-down must be completed within your booked time.

• You are responsible for ensuring all guests and suppliers behave respectfully and safely.

• Any disruptive, unsafe or inappropriate conduct may result in Us stopping the event, and may affect your holding deposit.

4.1 Heating & Air Conditioning

• The Studio is not equipped with central heating or air conditioning. Temperatures may vary depending on the season and weather.

• The Studio's own electric heaters are the heating provided and should be used as needed.

• By booking, you accept the Studio "as is", and agree that this will not be grounds for cancellation, refund or discount.

5. Health & Safety

Zero tolerance: no sparklers, open flames, gas bottles, gas or paraffin heaters, additional portable heaters not supplied by the Studio, tyres, bikes, confetti, glitter, or any other flammable or fire-risk item is permitted inside the Studio at any time. Breach of this rule will result in immediate termination of your booking without refund.

• Hand-held smoke bombs, flares and sparklers are only permitted outside the building, and only at your own risk. Smoke/fog machines and hazers are not permitted without Our prior written consent.

• The use of ladders is undertaken entirely at your own risk.

• You are responsible for carrying out your own health & safety assessment before your shoot or event.

• Please familiarise yourself with the clearly marked fire exits before starting, and keep all fire exits and common areas clear at all times.

• A first aid kit is provided on-site, but the Studio does not have first-aid-qualified personnel present.

• Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited throughout the Studio and the wider building.

• Blanc Story Studio does not sell or supply alcohol. Where guests bring their own, consumption is limited to 3 drinks per guest; illegal substances are strictly forbidden.

• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances may be required to leave immediately, and We reserve the right to end the booking without refund or liability for any resulting losses.

• CCTV and security cameras operate within the Studio for the safety of guests and staff.

6. Studio Care, Cleaning & End-of-Event Checklist

The Studio must be left tidy and in good condition at the end of your booking. Any damage, missing items, spills, stains or excess cleaning required may result in deductions from your holding deposit and/or additional charges.

6.1 Chairs

• Stack all chairs in groups of 6.

6.2 Table Linen

• Fold all clean table linen and place it neatly on the sofa.

• Put all dirty table linen into a bin liner.

6.3 Tables

• Leave tables up.

• Clean and wipe down all tables.

6.4 Floors

• Hoover the entire room thoroughly.

• Wipe up any visible spillages or stains on the floor.

• For stains, spray Flash cleaning spray directly onto the affected area, which should help lift it.

• A mop is available in the kitchen; only hot water from the kettle is required to clean the floors.

6.5 Furniture Care

• Please check sofas and other furniture for spills.

• Use the carpet cleaner provided immediately on any spills to prevent staining.

6.6 Rubbish Disposal

• Bin liners are provided — please use them for all rubbish.

• All rubbish, including food waste, must be disposed of in Our own outdoor commercial waste bin (not the building's shared bins).

• This includes emptying the indoor studio bin and bathroom bin if used.

• No food should be left in any indoor bins.

6.7 Before You Leave

• Close all windows.

• Leave the speaker on charge.

• Turn off all lights.

• Turn off all heating.

• Lock all doors, including the loading bay door; return the fob/key to the key safe and ensure the code is not left on display.

• Notify car park security so they can close the loading bay shutters.

Zero tolerance: all vendors and suppliers must remove every item belonging to them within your booked hours. Anything left behind will incur a fine of £50, plus a further £25 for each additional day until it is collected.

A £100 cleaning fee applies if you would prefer to leave the space as-is at the end of your event, rather than resetting it yourself. Even where this fee is paid, all food and empty alcohol bottles must still be removed and disposed of in the Studio's bins. Failure to do so will incur a further £50 charge on top of the cleaning fee.

7. Damage, Fines & Charges

• Where the Studio suffers damage over £250 in value, We reserve the right to charge the outstanding balance to the card used to pay the holding deposit.

• The holding deposit does not cover deliberate damage caused by malicious, wilful or inappropriate behaviour, or theft of items; We reserve the right to charge separately for this.

• We reserve the right to charge fines to the card used for the holding deposit if you or your guests are abusive, discriminatory, obscene or indecent towards Our staff or contractors. Such fines are not covered by the holding deposit.

• Final guest numbers and requirements can be amended up to 30 days before your event. After this point, increases or extras cannot be guaranteed, and no refund will be given for requested reductions.

8. Liability & Insurance

• Blanc Story Studio Ltd does not exclude or limit its liability for death or personal injury caused by its own negligence, or for fraud, as these cannot be excluded under UK law.

• Subject to the above, Blanc Story Studio Ltd is not liable for other injuries, accidents, or personal losses incurred during your venue hire, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

• You are responsible for the safety and conduct of your own guests and suppliers.

• We recommend you arrange appropriate public liability/event insurance for your booking.

9. Photography, Content & Data

• Blanc Story Studio may take behind-the-scenes photos or short video clips of the Studio for marketing purposes (e.g. social media). If you would prefer not to have identifiable faces captured, please tell us in writing before your event and We will respect this.

• Any personal information you provide when booking (e.g. contact details, guest numbers) is used only to manage your booking and event, and is handled in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

10. Cooling-Off Period

As this booking is for the supply of leisure/venue-hire services on a specific date, it is exempt from the standard 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Charges) Regulations 2013. The cancellation terms in Section 2 apply instead.

11. Complaints & Disputes

• Our team will do their best to resolve any problem with your booking directly and try to avoid the need for court proceedings.

• If we cannot resolve a complaint between us, you may refer the dispute to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, or another applicable government-recognised body. This is optional, and you remain free to go to court if you are not satisfied with the outcome.

• These Terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. Wherever you live in the UK, you can bring a claim against Us in the English courts; if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may also bring a claim in the courts of the country where you live. We may bring a claim against you in the courts of the country where you live.

12. Other Important Terms

• We may transfer this contract to a different company or organisation responsible for delivering your event; your rights under these Terms will not be affected.

• This contract is between you and Us; no one else may enforce it under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

• If We delay enforcing any part of this contract (for example, not immediately chasing a late payment), We can still enforce it later.

• If you breach this contract, you are liable for Our reasonable costs (including professional and legal costs) properly incurred in remedying the breach or enforcing these Terms.

• Unless stated otherwise, offers and promotions cannot be used together with any other offer or promotion.

13. Updates to These Terms

• Blanc Story Studio reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions when necessary.

• Any significant changes will be communicated to clients with confirmed bookings. 

Last updated: [26.07.26]. For questions about these Terms, please contact Blanc Story Studio directly.To maintain the quality of our space and ensure a smooth experience for all guests, please read and adhere to the following guidelines.

Studio Rules

Respect for the Space

• Treat the studio, furniture, props, and all equipment with care.

• Do not drag furniture across the floor to prevent damage.

• If you move any furniture or props, they must be returned to their original layout.

Cleanliness & Order

• The studio must be left clean and tidy. Any rubbish should be disposed of in the designated bins.

• If the studio is left messy, or furniture is not returned to its original area, a cleaning fee of £100 will apply.

Security & Access

• The studio door must be locked after your session. If left unlocked, a £10 fee will be deducted from your deposit for an emergency call-out.

• You are only permitted in the studio during your allocated booking time. Any additional time will be charged.

Damage Policy

• Any damage to furniture, props, or equipment (including stains, rips, or breakages) during your booking will incur repair or full replacement costs.

• No marking, drawing, or painting on studio walls. Any wall damage will require reimbursement for repairs.

• Ensure no makeup, fake tan, or staining products come into contact with furniture or props, or you will be charged for cleaning or replacement.

Booking & Payments

• Full payment is required at the time of booking.

• If you need setup or cleanup time, include this in your booking duration to avoid extra charges.

• Overtime is charged at £60 per hour.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

• Bookings can be rescheduled up to 48 hours before the original date.

• Rescheduled bookings must be used within 30 days from the original date.

• Bookings may be rescheduled a maximum of two times.

• Rescheduling within 24 hours of the booking will not be eligible for a refund or reschedule.

Late Arrivals & Overtime

• Late arrivals do not qualify for extended time beyond the original booking.

• If you exceed your booking time by 30 minutes, your deposit will not be refunded.

• If your booking runs over by 60 minutes or more, your deposit will be forfeited, and an additional charge will apply.

Loading & Unloading

• Any equipment or personal items must be loaded/unloaded within your booked time slot. Additional time must be booked in advance if needed.

Liability & Responsibility

• Blanc Story Studio is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.

• Parking is at your own risk and subject to local regulations.

• The studio is not liable for any personal injuries or damages that occur during your booking.

Credit Notes

• Credit notes are valid for 60 days from the issue date.

• Credit notes cannot be exchanged for cash, transferred, or extended beyond the expiration date.

• Credit notes are issued for a specific number of hours—no partial refunds will be given.

By booking with Blanc Story Studio, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.

For any further questions or special requests, please contact us in advance.