HIRE
About Our Venue
Welcome to Brighton Unitarian Church, our historic Grade 2 listed building, located centrally in New Road, Brighton, East Sussex. It is a cultural and community space, a great location for a wide variety of concerts, theatre productions, video and sound recording, album launches, classes, seminars and exhibitions, both during the Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, The Great Escape and throughout the year.
We are also pleased to conduct weddings, child namings and funerals.
Our unique and intimate concert venue has a Steinway grand piano, which hirers can use at no additional cost.
Hire The Church
Suitable for concerts, recitals, theatre productions (no blackout), lectures, conferences, book promotions, exhibitions, meditation, dance, rehearsals, craft fairs, etc.
Capacity
Seated/standing 110 maximum
Dimensions 11m x 10.5m x 8.5m high
Facilities
Steinway grand piano, loop system, mic, raised dais (stage - 2.5m x 3.75m x 0.46m high), excellent acoustics.
Projector (3700 Lumens), Projector Screen, projector stand, WiFi. Wheelchair accessible with toilets
The hall with kitchen facilities may be hired for the serving of refreshments during intervals, etc.
No Alcohol Licence held but a limited number of Temporary Event Notices may be applied for, with prior agreement of the church.
Premises Licence authorises performance of live or recorded music 10am - 11pm. Premises Licence does not cover amplified music outside the Church.
Piano & Organ
The piano is tuned four times a year by Mark Beglin, a Steinway approved tuner. In addition, arrangements can be made, on behalf of hirers, for piano to be tuned again prior to their concert. Cost of this tuning to be covered by hirer.
Kirkland Organ
The church houses an historic Kirkland Organ.
Prices
Music and arts venue, rehearsals, performances, conferences, craft fairs, etc.
£38.50 per hour up to 6pm
£44 per hour 6pm–11pm
Plus a one-off caretaking fee (£44-53 depending on timings)
Concessionary rates are available for charities, community groups, etc. and reduced rates are offered to regular hirers of the space.
A 30% deposit is required to secure each booking.
Payment of balance required in advance.
Performing Rights Society charges will apply where appropriate.
A visit to the church prior to hiring date must be made. (Fire and Safety Regulations.)
All bookings are at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Parking limited to loading and unloading unless specifically agreed in advance.
Prices
Available 9am-11pm
£27.50 per hour daytime/evening
Concessions available for charities, community groups, etc.
Reduced rates for regular bookings.
Some events may attract a one-off caretaking fee (£44-53 depending on timings)
A 30% deposit is required to secure each booking.
Hire the Hall
Suitable for morning, afternoon and evening classes; singing, dance, drama and yoga, meditation, lectures/workshops and craft/vintage fairs. Also availablele for receptions following our Rites of Passage Services.
Capacity
Approx 50 persons standing and up to 45 people seated.
Dimensions 10.5m x 6.8m x 6m high.
Facilities
Sprung wooden floor.
A lively acoustic.
Blüthner grand piano.
Trestle tables.
Use of kitchen for hot and cold drinks
Toilets including wheelchair accessible/inclusive and baby changing facilities.
Separate entrance with ramp for wheelchair users/prams/buggies.
Projection screen and blackout available.
WiFi connection.
Invoices for regular bookings are sent out monthly.
Performing Rights Society charges will apply where appropriate.
A visit to the church prior to hiring date must be made. (Fire and Safety Regulations.)
All bookings are at the discretion on the Management Committee.
Parking limited to loading and unloading
Hire the Portico
Our Portico is an iconic part of Brighton's North Laine, situated on the busy street of New Road opposite Brighton Dome and near the Theatre Royal. The Greek style columns gives a beautiful backdrop for your outdoor event.
Suitable for outdoor markets, street food stalls, performance etc.
There is access to power; 3 phase & 3 pin.
10.5m x 4m
Price
£100 for a whole day
Deposit - £30
Designer : Sarah_Louise_Designs
Photographer: Moa Thorneby
Model: Shannon Pagee
Hiring Policy
All services, ceremonies, rituals and rites of passage held in Brighton Unitarian Church must be led by recognised Unitarian worship leaders or celebrants.
The church cannot be hired for services, ceremonies, rituals or rites of passage led by anyone other than established Unitarian worship leaders or celebrants. (In this context ‘recognised’ refers to service leaders or celebrants known to this church or other Unitarian churches or chapels.)
As agreed at the Church Committee meeting on 8 January 2018, we do not hire the church to political parties or groups.
The hirer is required to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect any children or vulnerable adults at the premises during the hire period, by taking all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with all appropriate statutes and guidelines, and to prevent the occurrence of any injury, loss, damage, or harm.
Accessibility
There is a ramp leading up to the main church entrance, enabling wheelchair users to bypass the front steps. Once inside everything is level access. The hall, kitchen and toilets can be reached from this entrance. We also have a portable ramp for the hall allowing level access for wheelchair users and those withprams/buggies/push chairs direct into this space via the south passageway at the side of the church.
There are baby changing facilities and inclusive and accessible toilets for wheelchair users.
A hearing loop system is available when the built-in sound system in the church is used.
Extras
Projector: Acer X138WH DLP. 3700 lumens. HDMI & VGA in.
Projector screen is 150cm. Projector stand which has a shelf for a laptop (laptop not provided), wheels and can be angled.
£20 per day. Mention this when booking.
Streaming equipment. We now have professional live-streaming equipment, which can be used anywhere inside the church with a station set up on our balcony. Please get in touch for more details.
£40 per session - additional charges apply for technical support. Deposit required.