Affordable hire equipment for groups in Sussex
Hiring Equipment from the Resource Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can use your equipment hire service?
- How do we book equipment?
- How much is the deposit and when do you need it?
- When can we pick up the equipment?
- When can we return it?
- Is your equipment insured?
- Do you provide risk assessments for your equipment?
- Can we pay with a credit card?
- Can I hire your equipment for a private party?
Who can use your equipment hire service?
The service is for any community or voluntary group based in Sussex. Private individuals and businesses can't hire our equipment.
It's a way for community groups to share resources, rather than each group having to buy and store large or expensive items. We aim to provide useful, practical resources that are well-maintained. If you have any problems with our equipment, or suggestions for how we could improve the service, please let us know.
Our hire charges are very low, because we are a not-for-profit charity and our work is supported by grant funding. We provide instructions and training on how to use the equipment, but you need to make your own arrangements for transporting, setting up, safely using and storing the equipment while you have it on hire. Please help us to keep the service running smoothly by making sure you bring equipment back on time.
How do we book equipment?
You can book up to six months in advance. Advance booking is essential for Christmas and summer events.
- Check our leaflet or browse our full range of equipment online - you can go through an A to Z listing or look through the list of categories.
- Decide which items you'd like to hire - NB there are limits on the number of items each group can hire in some categories.
- Think about when you can arrange transport to collect equipment from us and return it to us after your event. Please note, we are always closed on Mondays.
- Contact us to check if the items you want are available on the dates you want. You can fill in a booking request form on our website or call in, phone or e-mail the Centre
- We'll check the availability and make the booking. If you fill in a booking request form or email us, we will always get back to you to confirm the booking. Don't assume you have booked the equipment until you hear from us.
- If you want to cancel or change anything about your booking, please let us know.
How much is the deposit and when do you need it?
When you collect your equipment, you need to leave a deposit of £50. This can be cash or cheque. Please note that we cannot take payment by credit/debit card. Cheques should be made out to B&H SWET Ltd.
If you are borrowing a laptop, data projector, digital camera or video camera we need a £50 deposit plus proof of address. We will return or destroy your cheque once you have returned the equipment and we have checked it.
When can we pick up the equipment?
You will need to pick up your equipment between 1pm and 4pm, unless you have specifically arranged with us to collect it in the morning. Please allow time to fill in our hire form, and for the person on the front desk to show you how to use the equipment. Bring your deposit cheque or cash with you.
Parking in Tilbury Place is by coin meter (2 disabled bays available).
When can we return it?
Please return equipment on time and in good condition. You will usually be asked to bring it back between 9am and 12noon so that another group may borrow it the same day.
Is your equipment insured?
No. Our insurance does not cover the transport or use of our equipment when it is outside the building. You will be asked to sign a hire agreement when you collect the equipment, accepting full responsibility for the equipment on behalf of your group.
If the equipment is lost, stolen or damaged when it is in your care, we will charge your group for the cost of replacement or repair.
The hire of our equipment does not include public liability insurance. Your group is responsible for arranging that where necessary. We provide details of several insurers which will provide Public Liability insurance to community groups at http://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/beachcomber. If you require insurance for the Bouncy Castle, you can get this from Leisure Insure - they charge around £17/day and you can get a quote and pay on-line.
Do you provide risk assessments for your equipment?
We provide a sample risk assessment for our Bouncy Castle. We suggest that you use it to carry out your own risk assessment, which will include any risks that are specific to your event, the location where you are holding it, or your users.
You can download these to use before your event:
We also list some useful advice on carrying out risk assessments at http://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/beachcomber
Can we pay with a credit card?
No, we cannot take payment by credit/debit card. We do accept cheques from group bank accounts, as long as they are properly signed, and we accept bank transfers as long as we receive written notification. If you prefer, we can invoice your group for the cost of the equipment hire, and you can send us a cheque in the post
Can I hire your equipment for a private party?
No, our equipment is only available for hire to community and voluntary groups, based in Sussex. We do not hire equipment out to individuals or businesses that are run for profit.