Welcome to the Victoria Institute, Caton near Lancaster - the perfect venue for your party, social or business event

Phase 1 of the Re-opening of the Victoria Institute

Regulations now allow for Village Halls to re-open with the proviso that precautions are taken to mitigate risks of coronavirus transmission. 

Following guidance from both Government and agencies supporting village halls, the Council of Management has carried out a detailed analysis of virus infection risks within the Victoria Institute, and this has shaped our approach to re-opening.  Caution has been a key principle, and so facilities and services will resume on a phased basis with each one closely monitored.  Initially, we will re-open for room bookings with effect from 3rd August; drop in services, such as the Community Library and IT Room, will follow at a later date. 

Changes

The Institute is a community hub so it is important that space is available for those groups who wish to meet as allowed by current regulations.  However, things will be different as social distancing must be adhered to, and hygiene throughout is essential.  Consequently, there are new terms and conditions attached to room bookings, and some types of activities are not yet allowed.  

For those groups wanting to return, we ask that group leaders carry out their own assessment of risks.  Social distancing means a maximum of 30 attendees, and each room has a recommended limit according to the 2 metre or 1 metre plus rules.

Within the building, there will be a one-way system, an enhanced cleaning schedule, and hand sanitiser at all doorways. These are measures that we have put in place to reduce risks, and we ask that all Users play their part too. Please allow time before and after all bookings so that hand-touch surfaces can be cleaned with products provided.  We can work together to keep each other as safe as possible.    

Whilst we will do our best to accommodate the booking requirements of all our regular users, it might be necessary to ask some groups to make changes to their arrangements to avoid crowding or other hazards.

As with many other areas of life in these times, all these changes are a lot to take in. To help visualise how things will be, please follow the link to a video which shows preparations made to ready the building for reopening:

https://youtu.be/lWKPEct4660

All details of our risk assessment are available on the Victoria Institute website, please find this in our Terms & Conditions (or can be sent to you in the post) along with: 

  • Special Terms and Conditions
  • Agreement to new terms and conditions
  • Risk Assessment for User Groups (for information and assistance)

Peter Collins, our Community Support Worker can be contacted on 771733 during normal hours to answer any queries and help you with bookings.  

We look forward to seeing you again.

 

Enquiries for Caton and Brookhouse Community Pandemic Support Group, regarding telephone befrienders, volunteers willing to collect prescriptions and go shopping for people who are self-isolated or unwell.  PLEASE PHONE:- (01524) 771733

For future updates, please watch this space and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/victoria.institute.caton

 

The Victoria Institute lies at the heart of Caton village, which is located in the beautiful Lune Valley and Forest of Bowland AONB only 5 minutes from J34 of the M6 motorway and 10 minutes from Lancaster.

Managed as a charity, the Institute offers a range of rooms available to hire for community, private, and business events. Founded in 1888, the Victoria Institute has been refurbished and extended over recent years through two major grant funded projects (see 'history') which transformed the building into a comfortable, well equipped venue.

The accommodation has been developed with flexibility of use in mind and, being arranged on one level, it is easily accessible by all. This vibrant resource centre is an important aspect of social life in the village, and many Clubs and Societies run regular activities in the Institute building. We have a large Hall, two good size meeting rooms, a small meeting room, Kitchen, and a Library and IT Resource Room, so most needs can be met whatever the size and nature of your planned event. (See 'room details').

For our Full Schedule of Charges and related Policies and Procedures, please see our Terms & Conditions.

Main Hall

Up to 100 people can be safely seated on comfortable chairs set out for a show, and we recommend up to 80 people seated for a meal. The hall has a superb dual function sprung floor.

Sir Thomas Storey Room

The Sir Thomas Storey Room can seat up to 50 people for theatre style presentations, and the flooring makes the space suitable for a range of activities such as exercise classes or craft sessions.

Victoria Room

Seats up to 20 in meeting configuration. Wall mounted drop down screen, Internet connectivity, Digital projector, Sound around system and CD/DVD player, Flip chart, Kitchenette area, with blinds on all windows.

Cottam Room (Currently the Cottam Room is not bookable, due to conditions brought about by Coronavirus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cottam Room offers a bright, airy small meeting space. Two round tables with twelve chairs. Blinds on all windows and door.

Kitchen (Currently the kitchen is not bookable, due to conditions brought about by Coronavirus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bright and modern kitchen with stainless steel work surface that has ample space and good facilities. There is a convenient hatch for serving food and drinks to the Main Hall.

Drop In (Currently Drop in services are not available, due to conditions brought about by the Coronavirus)

Caton Community Library & IT Resource Room, is open 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday. (The Library & IT are currently closed) 

The IT Drop In facility, offers 5 computers, all with Internet access and Microsoft Office software.

Services and facilities include;

  • On-line help and support from our Community Support Worker, Peter Collins
  • Black & white and colour printer/photocopier/scanner (A4 & A3)
  • Laminator (A4)
  • Document shredder

COMPUTER USE COSTS

£1.50 per hour, 75p for ½ hour & minimum charge of 50p

A4 Laminating

30p

 

Scanning

10p

 

Printing

A4

A3

Black & White

10p

20p

Colour

25p

50p

Drop in for a cuppa (Refreshments are not being served at the moment) 

Why not call into the Cottam Room for a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and a biscuit for 80p?
Local newspapers available

 

Today at the Victoria Institute

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