Insurance and safety

Your responsibilities

You are responsible for making sure the activities you perform are safe for your performers, your crew and the audience.

In using our spaces. you will be agreeing that: 

• members of your cast and crew will work under the supervision of in-house technical staff and follow their instructions 
• you will risk assess your activity and you will pass the risk assessment to us 
• you will take responsibility for any harm caused by your actions or those of your company 
• you are insured in case anything goes wrong 
• you will ensure the safety of any equipment you bring on site, including fire-proofing your set 
• we will be able to prevent you using methods or equipment that are unsafe in our view.

Safe set-building and risk assessment

It is critical that your set is built with fire safety in mind, and, before your show, you will need to complete a risk assessment.

See our technical information page for a full list of what is required in terms of fire safety and information and guidance on risk assessments.

​​Public liability insurance 

Just in case any member of the public or Hillingdon staff were to be hurt or injured in some way by an accident during your performances or rehearsals, or through actions by your company, or through equipment you bring on site, we require every hirer to have public liability insurance. 

The cover you need is up to £5 million. This insurance is not available through the theatre or council, so you would need to approach an insurer to get a policy. 

Use of our equipment 

You can only use our equipment (such as sound and lighting desks, lights, curtain tracks and decking), if you follow the safety instructions given by the member of staff who is supervising your activity. 

Use of your own equipment 

If you bring electrical equipment on site, you will need to ensure that it is electrically safe.

This may require you to produce a valid PAT test certificate (issued by a qualified person) dated within the last 12 months (before the last day of your hire) for each piece of equipment. It will also need to pass a visual inspection by our staff. 

If you have questions or would like to check availability for putting on a show, email artsvenues@hillingdon.gov.uk.