1. Welcome

1.1          Greenwich Islamic Centre (GIC) warmly welcomes hirers and their guests. Our facilities at Greenwich Islamic Centre were created to accommodate Islamic religious services, especially the joyous celebration of a Muslim wedding. Our unique setting is perfect for an Islamic religious wedding, large or small.

1.2          We will endeavour to make your Islamic wedding experience a pleasant one. If you have any queries about the terms and conditions of this agreement or require any assistance, please contact the Admin  Office.

1.3          Wedding hire is only available for Islamic weddings. Hirers should ensure they require a wedding in an Islamic environment where men and women are seated separately and proper Islamic dress code and etiquettes are observed.

1.4          At the hirer’s discretion, limited mixed seating for your non-Muslim guests can be accommodated in the male seating area only.

1.5          Hirer’s should ensure that guests are informed about the wedding arrangements, particularly the timing of the wedding and the seating arrangements for men and women.

1.6          Call to prayer: The GIC is a religious building. The call to prayer (adhan) is broadcast over the speaker system shortly before each prayer. The Admin Office can advise if your booking is at one of these times.

2             Wedding Facilities for hire

• Note: the actual capacity will depend on your seating layout.

2.2          Facilities may be booked for a single session, subject to availability:

• Afternoon session   10am–5pm
• Evening Session       5pm–9pm

Please enquire about variations to these times.

2.3          The GIC Concourse is not available for hire. No tables, stalls, banners, leaflets, publications, advertisements, or other items can be placed or distributed there unless it is agreed by the GIC Management in writing beforehand. Hirers cannot place any restrictions on the use of the concourse as an entrance, exit or thoroughfare.

3             Booking packs

3.1          A booking pack is available from the GIC Admin Office. Forms and policies can also be downloaded from our website. You can make enquiries about hiring our facilities in person or by telephone; please ask for the Admin Office.

3.2          The booking pack gives background information about the facilities and details of the capacity and size of the room available for hire.

4             Booking procedure

4.1          Bookings can only be made using the official booking form.

4.2          The booking form can be submitted by fax, post, email or handed into the GIC Admin Office. Acceptance of the booking form does not imply acceptance of the booking.

4.3          Bookings will not be accepted from persons less than 18 years of age.

4.4          The booking form must disclose full details of the proposed use. Bookings are granted based on the details provided by the hirer.

4.5          The GIC may, if it deems necessary, request additional information.

4.6          The GIC reserves the right to refuse or cancel any booking that:

• may present a threat to public disorder

• may promote or incite hatred or violence against others

• may risk alienating the GIC’s beneficiaries or supporters

• may bring the GIC into disrepute

• may cause offence to other users or disrupt other activities of the GIC

• may breach the GIC Equality & Diversity Policy

• may breach the GIC Event and Speakers Policy

The GIC does not have to give any reason for refusing a booking.

4.7          Provisional booking: if the booking is approved, the hirer will be informed in writing. The booking will be considered provisional until the initial payment (see 5.1 and 5.2) has been received. A booking that is only provisional may be set aside if another hirer is willing to make a confirmed booking.

4.8          Confirmed booking: a provisional booking will become a confirmed booking once the initial payment (see 5.1 and 5.2) has been received.

4.9          In the event of any variation of use by the hirer or failure to comply with the requirement of full disclosure, the GIC reserves the right to cancel the booking, which will still be liable to any retention (see 6.6).

5             Prices and Payments

5.1          An initial payment of 50% of the total cost must be paid before a booking can be confirmed. For bookings less than 28 days before the required date, 100% of the total cost must be paid.

5.2          If the initial payment is made by cheque, the booking will not be confirmed until the cheque has cleared the GIC bank account. For payments through BACS, a remittance form is required verifying payment to the ‘Greenwich Islamic Centre’ before the booking can be confirmed.

5.3          The remaining balance must be paid at least 28 days before the date that has been booked.

5.4          Prices include the GIC’s basic tables and chairs, subject to availability. These must be requested in advance.

5.5          Hall hire costs

• damage (see 8.1 and 8.2)

• additional cleaning our support staff have to undertake which should have been done by the caterer (see 7.1 and 4)

• finishing after the end time as agreed on the booking form (see 5.9)

• other costs incurred by the GIC as a result of any breach of contract by the hirer

You will be invoiced for all penalty charges.

5.9          Additional charges for finishing after the agreed time:

Hall:                                     £150 per hour or part thereof

Due to the availability of our staff and/or commitments to other hirers, you may not be permitted to finish after the agreed time.

6             Cancellation

6.1          The GIC reserves the right to cancel bookings if the facilities are rendered unfit for the intended use.

6.2          The GIC reserves the right to cancel bookings that subsequently vary from what is agreed in the associated booking form or approved publicity materials.

6.3          The GIC Admin staff may halt the use of the facilities on the day if they deem that the hirer has varied from what was agreed in the associated booking form or approved publicity materials, or if they believe there has been or could be a breach of the conditions laid out in 4.6 or 4.9.

6.4          In the event of any cancellation or termination of the hiring no liability shall fall upon the GIC, or any officer of the GIC, in respect of any loss sustained or expenses incurred by the hirer, or any other person, as result thereof.

6.5          If the hirer cancels after the booking has been confirmed by the GIC, the hirer shall be liable to the GIC for any costs, expenses and losses incurred by the GIC. Depending on when the notice of cancellation is received, a percentage of the total charge will be retained by the GIC (see 6.7).

6.6          Cancellations or terminations will only be accepted in writing and deemed effective upon receipt by the GIC Admin Office.

6.7          Retentions by GIC

For all weddings

6.8          Refunds of charges, less any retention, will be made within 14 days of cancellation.

7             Catering and cleaning

7.1          Caterers: If you wish to use a caterer, the GIC requires valid certificates for their:

• Health & safety
• Food & hygiene
• Public liability.

These documents must be submitted before the approval of the event. The GIC may decide not to give approval for the caterer and does not have to give reasons for withholding approval.

7.2          The hirer must ensure the caterer clears away any waste food, drink and other items. Sealed black dustbin bags must be used, and placed in the GIC’s bins in the Yard.

7.3          The hirer must ensure the caterer cleans any spillages.

7.4          Oil and other waste must not be poured down sinks or into drains.

8             Damage, Decoration and Advertising

8.1          The hirer shall not cause or permit any person connected with the hiring to drive any nails, screws or other fixings into the walls or floors or into any furniture or fittings, or permit to be done anything likely to cause damage to the building or any such furniture or fittings.

8.2          The hirer shall repay to the GIC on demand, the cost of reinstating or replacing any part of the premises or any property, whatsoever, belonging to the GIC in or upon the premises, which shall be damaged, destroyed, stolen or removed during the period of hiring.

8.3          The hirer shall not display and shall ensure that no other person displays any advertisements relating to the hiring by affixing the same to or utilising the support of a lamp-post, guard rail, electricity relay box or any other item of street furniture except with the prior written consent of the council in charge.

9             Ventilation in halls

9.1          The GIC halls have a fresh air ventilation system that heats and cools. As with any mechanical system, it is possible that it may stop working, in which case ventilation will be through the opening of windows only. In such circumstances, the GIC will not be held liable.

9.2          In exceptionally hot weather, then the outside temperature exceeds 28°C, the system may not be able to bring the inside temperature down to preferred levels. In such circumstances, the GIC will not be held liable.

10           Electrical Installations

10.1       All electrical equipment brought into the building shall comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989. The GIC disclaims all responsibility for all claims and costs arising out of such equipment that does not so comply.

11           Amplified Sound and Music

11.1       Hirers and organisers of activities in the GIC are responsible for ensuring that their noise levels do not disturb other activities within the building.

11.2       Please note that strictly no music, live or recorded, or any musical instruments are permitted in any part of the GIC irrespective of the type of activity.

12           Dress code

12.1       The GIC is a religious building. The availability of facilities for Islamic wedding hires is intended to ensure the conduct of weddings according to Islamic guidelines. Hirers should ensure that all guests are dressed modestly. More detailed guidance is available from the Admin Office.

12.2       Shorts are not allowed for either men or women.

12.3       See-through, revealing, or low-cut clothing is not permitted.

12.4       Visiting the Mosque: non-Muslims guests wishing to visit the Mosque should do so only by arrangement with the Admin Office. Shoes must be taken off at the entry point. Women should wear a headscarf – scarves are available from the Admin Office.

13           Food and Drink

13.1       The consumption of alcoholic drinks is strictly forbidden. No alcoholic drinks should be brought into the GIC.

13.2       All food brought into the GIC or consumed therein must be Halal.

13.3       Chewing gum is not allowed in the GIC.

14           Health and Safety

14.1       Hall hirers, guests and members of the public obliged at all times to fully comply with the GIC Health

• Safety Policy; a copy is available on request. 14.2 It is illegal to smoke anywhere in the GIC.

14.3    Vaping/E-cigarettes may not be used anywhere in the GIC.

• No candles or incense sticks may be used in the GIC.

15        Gambling

15.1    No gambling is allowed in the GIC.

16    Parking

16.1    There is no parking available for guests. Guests must make their own parking arrangements

• Arrangements must be made with the GIC management team for parking. There will be 2 spaces allocated for the Bride and Groom vehicles.
• All vehicles must follow the traffic signs, i.e., park only in marked spaces, do not park in unauthorized areas, and do not block other cars.
• GIC is not responsible for fire, theft, damage, or loss of the vehicle or to any articles left in or around the vehicle. Members can review the camera recording at the time of the incident if one occurs. The management team must be notified within 1 week of the incident.

•   Lewd or Offensive Activities/Behaviour

•   No lewd or offensive behaviour or activities are permitted in the GIC.

•    Respect for GIC staff

18.1       The Admin Team will try their utmost to ensure your booking is successful. If you require any assistance or need information, they will endeavour to help.

18.2       Please ensure that you and your guests respect instructions given by the GIC Team and other GIC staff, as it is their responsibility to maintain the proper and safe running of the GIC for all users.

• Signage

19.1       No signs, posters, banners or similar shall be attached to any wall or other part of the GIC without the approval of the Admin Office.

19.2       Where permission has been granted for placing signage, it should be fixed in the manner allowed by the Events Office and removed at the end of the booking.

• Permission to Film and/or Broadcast

20.1       The hirer shall not film or broadcast at any time in any part of the GIC without the prior permission of the GIC.

20.2       For weddings, the designated areas for filming and photography are the halls and the entry and exit points. No other part of the building can be used. The photographer and camera operators must be male for the men’s areas and female for the women’s areas.

• Emergency Procedures

21.1       The hirer must comply with the GIC’s emergency procedures. If the evacuation warning is sounded, everyone should leave the building immediately, as directed by the GIC staff. No one should return inside until GIC staff give permission for re-entry.

• Insurance

22.1       The GIC has arranged public liability insurance for the benefit of those who hire any part of the GIC under these terms. This insurance is provided automatically, but if the hirer prefers to arrange additional cover the GIC has no objections. The insurance afforded by the policy is not limited to claims arising under the indemnity given by the hirers to the GIC. The insurance does not give cover for claims arising otherwise than in connection with the hirer’s use of the GIC’s facilities.

22.2       The hirer shall ensure that any contractor (including caterers) employed in relation to the booking, shall carry suitable and sufficient insurance relevant to the activity for which they are they are employed including appropriate Employers’ Liability Insurance.