Free community room hire
Free room hire for local community groups at the University of Plymouth
As a proud Civic University, the University is involved in and works with their local community. This is most evident in their equality, diversity and inclusion activities with a range of local community groups, educational groups and research centres both in the University and in the wider Plymouth area focusing on how to best support the local community.
To build on local community work, the University of Plymouth is proud to launch a new community room hire scheme for local community groups and organisations. There are no fees and no deposits required to hire a room for your community group.
The University is a member of AccessAble and can provide detailed information on the accessibility of all of our sites.
Any local group can request to hire a room as they meet the following criteria:
- They are a non-profit group.
- They are not aligned to any political party.
- They will be using the space for the good of the community; it may not be used for any illegal or immoral purposes or anything that can cause public nuisance.
- They will not be using the space for performance, physical activity or anything that risks physical harm.
- They will not be engaging in discriminatory language or behaviour.
Spaces can be booked up to two months in advance and are available between the hours of 8:30 and 21:00, Monday to Friday. If a room is required over a weekend or outside of these hours then contact the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team: equality@plymouth.ac.uk.
Request a room
If you would like to request a room through our community room hire scheme simply fill in our request form.
Completing this form does not guarantee you a room. Once you have completed the form we will check against room availability and confirm or decline your request in due course.
We recommend reading our FAQ's below but if you have any further questions then please get in touch with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team: equality@plymouth.ac.uk.
Who can have a room?
You will qualify to hire a space as long as you meet the following criteria:
You will qualify to hire a space as long as you meet the following criteria:
- You are a non-profit group.
- You are not aligned to any political party.
- You will be using the space for the good of the community; it may not be used for any illegal or immoral purposes or anything that can cause public nuisance.
- You will not be using the space for performance, physical activity or anything that risks physical harm.
- You will not be engaging in discriminatory language or behaviour.
What are the terms?
Space hire is granted on the understanding that you will be using the space for its intended purpose as outlined in your application and that you will not cause any damage to the space and that you follow and all safety guidelines. Please bear in mind that the University reserves the right to refuse any request for hire and the University can revoke room hire at any time should there be cause for concern over its use. The University will not accept bookings from anyone aged under 18. You can only request a room through the online request form and you must keep the University informed of any changes to your intended use of the room.
Space hire is granted on the understanding that you will be using the space for its intended purpose as outlined in your application and that you will not cause any damage to the space and that you follow and all safety guidelines. Please bear in mind that the University reserves the right to refuse any request for hire and the University can revoke room hire at any time should there be cause for concern over its use. The University will not accept bookings from anyone aged under 18. You can only request a room through the online request form and you must keep the University informed of any changes to your intended use of the room.
When are rooms available?
Spaces can be booked up to two months in advance and are available between the hours of 8:30 and 21:00, Monday to Friday. If you need a room over a weekend or outside of these hours then email equality@plymouth.ac.uk and we will see if there is something that we can do. Obviously we cannot guarantee a room will always be available at the time and exact location you’d prefer but we will do our best. Please give us as much notice as possible so we can find you something suitable; last-minute hire is difficult to arrange.
Spaces can be booked up to two months in advance and are available between the hours of 8:30 and 21:00, Monday to Friday. If you need a room over a weekend or outside of these hours then email equality@plymouth.ac.uk and we will see if there is something that we can do. Obviously we cannot guarantee a room will always be available at the time and exact location you’d prefer but we will do our best. Please give us as much notice as possible so we can find you something suitable; last-minute hire is difficult to arrange.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
No. Room hire is free of charge with no deposit necessary and is hired out at the University’s discretion. If, at any point, we have concerns about how the space is being used or any concerns regarding health and safety we will revoke access to the room.
No. Room hire is free of charge with no deposit necessary and is hired out at the University’s discretion. If, at any point, we have concerns about how the space is being used or any concerns regarding health and safety we will revoke access to the room.
Can I store my belongings in the room outside of hire times?
No, rooms are hired out for the hire period only and we do not offer any form of storage space either in the rooms or elsewhere on campus.
Can religious groups use rooms?
We welcome applications from all groups and celebrate diverse in faith, religion and belief. Should a faith group wish to hire a space on campus they should contact Pastoral and Spiritual Support for more information rather than through this scheme.
No, rooms are hired out for the hire period only and we do not offer any form of storage space either in the rooms or elsewhere on campus.
Can religious groups use rooms?
We welcome applications from all groups and celebrate diverse in faith, religion and belief. Should a faith group wish to hire a space on campus they should contact Pastoral and Spiritual Support for more information rather than through this scheme.
What type of rooms are available?
The University has a wide range of rooms across multiple different sites from lecture theatres to classrooms to small meeting rooms. Room size can vary from space for 100+ people down to a 10-person meeting room but the majority of spaces will comfortably hold between 30 and 60 people.
The University has a wide range of rooms across multiple different sites from lecture theatres to classrooms to small meeting rooms. Room size can vary from space for 100+ people down to a 10-person meeting room but the majority of spaces will comfortably hold between 30 and 60 people.
Most rooms have a projector or smart-board and a connected PC; these will be made available to you if you request this when booking and if a room is available. Most rooms are a mix of tables and chairs with the exception of lecture theatres and some seminar rooms; please tell us if you require anything specific. We do not hire out any catering facilities or spaces to serve food and/or drinks.
Can I view the rooms before I hire them?
Due to teaching timetables and the availability of our staff we are unlikely to be able to accommodate viewings of rooms before you hire them but we will do our best to match you with a room that meets your requirements. If it is particularly important you view the space beforehand then email us on equality@plymouth.ac.uk and we will try to accommodate your request.
Due to teaching timetables and the availability of our staff we are unlikely to be able to accommodate viewings of rooms before you hire them but we will do our best to match you with a room that meets your requirements. If it is particularly important you view the space beforehand then email us on equality@plymouth.ac.uk and we will try to accommodate your request.
Are the spaces accessible?
The University is a member of AccessAble and we can provide detailed information on the accessibility of all of our sites. If accessibility is of a particular concern, please mention this when booking.
The University is a member of AccessAble and we can provide detailed information on the accessibility of all of our sites. If accessibility is of a particular concern, please mention this when booking.
What if there is an emergency?
You will be given full guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency and how to get in touch with the University’s Security Team. The main campus has 24 hour security, 7 days a week and all security guards are first aid trained.
You will be given full guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency and how to get in touch with the University’s Security Team. The main campus has 24 hour security, 7 days a week and all security guards are first aid trained.
How do I get in and use equipment?
After your request has been accepted you will be sent full information on how to gain access to your room and how to work the equipment if you need to use it. If you have any further questions just email us on equality@plymouth.ac.uk
After your request has been accepted you will be sent full information on how to gain access to your room and how to work the equipment if you need to use it. If you have any further questions just email us on equality@plymouth.ac.uk
Do I need special insurance?
You should already have public liability insurance; however, all buildings on campus and activities going on in them (bar the exceptions already listed such as an exercise class) are covered under the University’s Insurance. You will need to undertake your own risk assessments for activities you are leading.
You should already have public liability insurance; however, all buildings on campus and activities going on in them (bar the exceptions already listed such as an exercise class) are covered under the University’s Insurance. You will need to undertake your own risk assessments for activities you are leading.
Can I book rooms for an extended period of time?
We can book rooms for three months at a time.
We can book rooms for three months at a time.