ACAI STUDIOS — STUDIO HIRE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Effective from: 30 August 2026
Last updated: 5 September 2026
These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings and use of ACAI Studios.
ACAI Studios is operated by ACAI STUDIOS LTD, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 16685638.
Registered office and studio address:
ACAI Studios
Ivy Mill Business Centre
Crown Street
Failsworth
Manchester
M35 9BG
Email: hello@acaistudios.co.uk
1. Acceptance of these terms
By making a booking, paying a booking fee, accepting a booking confirmation or entering and using the studio, the booking holder confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
The person making the booking is the “booking holder” and is responsible for:
• Providing accurate booking and contact information.
• Paying all applicable charges.
• Ensuring the studio is suitable for the intended activity.
• Informing every attendee of the relevant studio rules.
• The conduct and actions of everyone attending under their booking.
• Ensuring that all attendees comply with these Terms and Conditions.
The contract is formed when ACAI Studios issues a booking confirmation or otherwise confirms the booking in writing.
No verbal discussion, telephone call, social-media message or informal conversation changes the booking or these terms unless ACAI Studios confirms the change in writing.
2. Bookings and payment
Bookings are subject to availability and are not confirmed until the required payment has been received and a booking confirmation has been issued.
Unless ACAI Studios agrees otherwise in writing, the full booking price must be paid at the time of booking.
Prices, included facilities and any optional extras will be those shown during the booking process or stated in the written quotation or booking confirmation.
The booking holder must check the booking date, start time, end time, service, price and contact information immediately after receiving confirmation. Any error must be reported promptly.
ACAI Studios may correct an obvious typographical, administrative or pricing error before the booking takes place. If a correction materially increases the agreed price, the booking holder may cancel and receive a refund of the affected booking.
3. Cancellations and rescheduling
A cancellation or rescheduling request must be sent to hello@acaistudios.co.uk. It is not effective until received and acknowledged by ACAI Studios.
Unless a more favourable policy is stated in the booking confirmation:
• Cancellations made at least seven clear days before the booking start time will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations made between 72 hours and seven clear days before the booking start time will receive a 50% refund.
• Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the booking start time, and failures to attend, are non-refundable to the extent that the retained amount reflects ACAI Studios’ reasonable net loss.
• A booking may be rescheduled once without charge when at least seven clear days’ notice is given, subject to availability.
• A rescheduled booking must take place within three months of the original date unless otherwise agreed.
• Requests made with less than seven clear days’ notice may be treated as a cancellation.
For consumer bookings, any cancellation charge or retained payment will not exceed ACAI Studios’ reasonable net loss arising from the cancellation. ACAI Studios will take reasonable steps to reduce its loss and will not recover the same loss twice.
Nothing in these terms removes any cancellation, refund or other statutory right that applies to a consumer.
Where a consumer asks for a service to begin during any applicable statutory cancellation period, they expressly request early performance. If they subsequently cancel after performance has begun, they may be required to pay a proportionate amount for the service already supplied. The statutory right to cancel may be lost once the service has been fully performed, where the law permits and the required acknowledgement has been obtained.
4. Cancellation or disruption by ACAI Studios
ACAI Studios may cancel, suspend or relocate a booking where the studio is unavailable, unsafe or unusable, or where the booking cannot reasonably proceed because of circumstances outside its control.
Where ACAI Studios cancels a booking and the booking holder is not responsible, ACAI Studios will offer either:
• A suitable alternative date; or
• A refund of the studio-hire amount paid for the affected booking.
ACAI Studios will not be responsible for indirect losses, lost profits, missed opportunities or third-party production costs arising from a cancellation or disruption outside its reasonable control. This does not affect liability that cannot legally be excluded.
5. Force majeure
ACAI Studios will not be liable for delay, interruption or failure caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, fire, flood, utility failure, internet outage, building closure, government restriction, industrial action, public-health emergency, terrorism or another event making the booking impracticable or unsafe.
Where reasonably possible, ACAI Studios will offer a rescheduled booking or an appropriate refund, taking account of any part of the service already supplied and any irrecoverable costs reasonably incurred.
6. Booking times and studio access
Studio access is limited strictly to the date and times stated in the booking confirmation.
The booked period includes:
• Arrival and unloading.
• Setup and styling.
• Photography, filming and content production.
• Breaks and changes.
• Packing equipment and belongings.
• Cleaning and resetting furniture.
• Loading and departure.
The booking holder and every attendee must leave the studio and building by the confirmed booking end time.
Arriving late does not extend the booking or reduce the applicable charge.
The studio’s normal opening times are:
• Monday to Friday: 6:00am–8:00pm.
• Saturday: 9:00am–5:00pm.
• Sunday: 10:00am–3:30pm.
Holiday or building hours may vary. The times in the booking confirmation take priority.
7. Extensions, overtime and unauthorised occupation
If additional time is required, the booking holder must contact ACAI Studios before the confirmed end time.
An extension:
• Is subject to studio and building availability.
• Is not guaranteed.
• Is not authorised by an unanswered call or message.
• Is valid only when ACAI Studios confirms it in writing.
• Must be paid for at the applicable rate.
Telephone calls, WhatsApp messages, emails or social-media messages made outside staffed hours do not authorise an extension unless ACAI Studios responds and expressly confirms it.
If a booking overruns without written approval, the booking holder will be charged for the additional time occupied at the applicable booking rate.
The booking holder will also be responsible for reasonable direct costs caused by an unauthorised overrun, including:
• Disruption to a later booking.
• Additional staffing or management time.
• Building-management attendance.
• Security attendance.
• Alarm or emergency call-outs.
• Charges imposed by the landlord or building operator.
• Reasonable costs of securing or regaining possession of the premises.
Any building or emergency call-out will be charged at the amount actually imposed on ACAI Studios. Where the current building call-out charge of £80 applies, that amount will be passed to the booking holder.
Remaining within the building’s reception, communal areas or other parts of Ivy Mill after the studio booking has ended does not extend the studio booking or remove the requirement to leave the building by the required time.
The booking holder must notify ACAI Studios directly and promptly of any lock-in, alarm, police, fire-service, security, access or building incident. Contacting another attendee, receptionist or third party is not a substitute for notifying ACAI Studios.
Unauthorised occupation outside the agreed hours may not be covered by ACAI Studios’ insurance. It is therefore treated as a serious breach of these terms.
8. Attendance and authorised use
The studio may only be used for the activity described during the booking process or subsequently approved in writing.
The booking holder must not:
• Transfer, resell or sublet the booking.
• Give access to unauthorised people.
• Exceed any occupancy limit stated by ACAI Studios or the building.
• Use the premises for an unlawful, unsafe or materially different purpose.
• Misrepresent the nature or scale of the booking.
• Hold an event, party, workshop or ticketed activity without prior written approval.
ACAI Studios may require details of attendees, suppliers, contractors, equipment or activities before granting access.
9. Children and vulnerable attendees
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
The booking holder is responsible for obtaining all necessary parental, guardian, model, performer and participant permissions.
Children must not be left unattended or allowed to use studio equipment, furniture, fixtures or building facilities unsafely.
Where the booking involves children or vulnerable people, the booking holder is responsible for appropriate safeguarding arrangements and for ensuring that all required checks, permissions and supervision are in place.
10. Standard studio equipment
Unless otherwise stated in the booking confirmation, standard studio hire includes access at no additional charge to ACAI Studios' designated flash equipment, one continuous LED panel and the standard furniture and facilities made available for the booking.
Flash equipment is an included facility but remains subject to availability, completed installation, routine safety checks and operational condition. ACAI Studios may withdraw any item that appears unsafe, faulty or defective. If flash equipment is essential to a production, the booking holder must confirm its availability with ACAI Studios in writing before making the booking.
Flash equipment may only be operated by a person aged 18 or over who is competent to use it safely. Users must follow the manufacturer's instructions, attend any briefing requested by ACAI Studios and comply with all directions given by ACAI Studios or Ivy Mill.
The booking holder must inspect the equipment before use and report any apparent fault or damage immediately. Equipment that appears faulty, damaged or unsafe must not be connected to power or used.
Flash heads, tubes, stands, modifiers, triggers, cables, mains adaptors and accessories must not be modified, dismantled, overloaded or used with incompatible equipment. Only power connections and accessories supplied or approved by ACAI Studios may be used. Stands must be securely positioned with any supplied safety weights, and cables must be arranged so they do not obstruct exits, walkways or working areas. No equipment may be suspended or rigged overhead without prior written approval.
Powered equipment must not be left unattended. Users must keep liquids away from electrical equipment, switch equipment off after use and allow flash heads and modifiers to cool before handling or packing them away.
The booking holder is responsible for reasonable loss, damage, repair or replacement costs caused by misuse, negligence, unauthorised adjustment or incompatible client equipment. ACAI Studios does not guarantee compatibility with every camera, trigger or accessory. Nothing in this section excludes or restricts any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Specialist lighting and externally hired equipment are not included unless confirmed in writing.
ACAI Studios does not guarantee that natural light, daylight strength, weather, colour temperature or a particular visual result will remain constant.
The booking holder remains responsible for their creative, photographic, technical and production outcomes.
11. Furniture, sets, walls and paper backdrops
Furniture, props and set pieces must be handled carefully and returned to their original positions before the booking ends.
Items must not be dragged across floors or moved in a way that may cause damage.
Nothing may be attached to walls, ceilings, doors, windows, furniture or fixtures using nails, screws, adhesives, tape, pins, hooks or other fixings without prior written approval.
Paint, fake blood, fake tan, body oils, powders, glitter, sand, confetti, liquids, smoke effects or other staining or difficult-to-remove substances require prior written approval.
Paper backdrops must not be cut, pulled, stood on, marked, painted or damaged beyond the agreed use. Any paper used or damaged beyond ordinary agreed use may be charged at the applicable replacement rate.
12. Cleaning, damage and reinstatement
The studio must be left clean, tidy and in substantially the same condition as it was at the start of the booking.
The booking holder is responsible for loss, damage, excessive cleaning or reinstatement caused by themselves or anyone attending under their booking.
This includes damage to:
• Furniture, fixtures and decorative finishes.
• Walls, floors, windows, doors and ceilings.
• Props, paper backdrops and set pieces.
• Lighting and studio equipment.
• Kitchen, changing and communal facilities.
• Keys, access devices and building property.
The following cleaning charges may apply where reasonably required:
• Standard additional cleaning: £50.
• Heavy cleaning involving staining, spillages, excessive rubbish, makeup, fake tan, paint, glitter or similar residue: £100–£200.
• Specialist or professional cleaning: the actual contractor cost plus a reasonable £50 administration charge.
Indicative damage charges are:
• Minor surface damage or minor repairs: from £50.
• Moderate damage, repairable furniture, broken props or significant staining: £100–£500.
• Major or irreparable damage: the reasonable full cost of repair, replacement, delivery and reinstatement.
Lost or unreturned property belonging to ACAI Studios will be charged at its reasonable replacement value.
Lost or unreturned studio keys may incur a £75 charge where that reflects the reasonable replacement, security and administration cost.
Charges will be based on the damage and reasonable cost actually incurred. ACAI Studios may provide photographs, quotations, invoices, building records or repair reports where appropriate.
Additional invoices must be paid within seven days unless a different period is stated on the invoice.
13. Conduct and neighbouring businesses
The booking holder is responsible for the behaviour of every attendee.
All attendees must:
• Behave respectfully and responsibly.
• Follow reasonable safety and building instructions.
• Avoid excessive noise.
• Avoid obstructing corridors, exits and communal areas.
• Respect neighbouring businesses, building staff and other visitors.
• Refrain from abusive, threatening, discriminatory or intimidating behaviour.
• Refrain from illegal or anti-social activity.
Alcohol may only be consumed with prior written approval from ACAI Studios.
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.
ACAI Studios may terminate a booking and require attendees to leave where conduct is unsafe, unlawful, threatening, abusive, seriously disruptive or otherwise represents a material breach of these terms.
14. Fire safety and prohibited items
The following are strictly prohibited throughout the studio and cannot be authorised for any booking:
• Smoking.
• Vaping or electronic cigarettes.
• Candles, tealights, incense, oil burners, lit matches, lit lighters, flame effects and every other naked or open flame.
• Sparklers, fireworks and pyrotechnics.
• Gas appliances and portable barbecues.
Smoke, haze or fog machines, heaters, heat-producing equipment, hot work and any activity likely to activate the building alarm or create an additional fire risk are prohibited unless ACAI Studios and, where required, Ivy Mill provide specific prior written approval following an appropriate risk assessment.
Nothing in this paragraph permits a candle, naked flame, open flame, sparkler, firework, pyrotechnic or any other item listed in the absolute prohibition above.
The booking holder must disclose in advance any unusual prop, material, effect or equipment that produces heat, smoke, vapour or sparks, or that may be combustible. Fire exits, escape routes, alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and other fire safety equipment must remain visible, accessible and unobstructed at all times.
15. Animals
Animals may only enter the studio with prior written approval.
Animals must:
• Remain under the control of their owner or handler.
• Never be left unattended.
• Not be allowed onto furniture, backdrops, props or sets unless expressly agreed.
• Be removed if they present a safety risk, nuisance or disturbance.
The booking holder is responsible for cleaning, damage, injury or disturbance caused by an animal attending under their booking, except where liability cannot legally be excluded.
Approval applies only to the specific booking for which it was given.
16. Health, safety and medical responsibility
A basic first-aid kit may be available for minor injuries. ACAI Studios does not guarantee that a qualified first aider or medically trained person will be present.
Attendees are responsible for:
• Managing their own medical conditions.
• Bringing and administering required medication.
• Conducting appropriate risk assessments for their activities.
• Using their equipment safely.
• Wearing suitable clothing and footwear.
• Informing relevant members of their party about emergency arrangements.
ACAI Studios may contact the emergency services where reasonably considered necessary.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by ACAI Studios’ negligence or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.
17. Personal property
All equipment, clothing, props, merchandise, devices and personal belongings brought into the studio remain the responsibility of their owner.
ACAI Studios is not responsible for loss, theft or damage unless caused by its negligence or where liability cannot legally be excluded.
Items must not be left at the studio after the booking without prior written agreement.
ACAI Studios may move, store or dispose of uncollected items after giving reasonable notice. The booking holder may be charged reasonable storage, delivery or disposal costs.
18. Parking and building access
Parking is subject to availability and the rules imposed by Ivy Mill Business Centre.
Vehicles must be registered at reception. The current parking charge is £3 for the day.
Parking is not included within the studio-hire price unless expressly stated otherwise.
Vehicles and their contents are left at the owner’s risk. ACAI Studios is not responsible for parking fines, access restrictions, loss, theft or vehicle damage unless caused by ACAI Studios’ negligence.
Clients must comply with all reception, parking, access and building-security instructions.
19. Client equipment, suppliers and insurance
Equipment brought into the studio must be safe, fit for purpose and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Electrical, staging, rigging, catering or specialist equipment may require advance approval.
External suppliers and contractors remain under the responsibility of the booking holder.
For commercial productions, events, workshops, large groups or higher-risk activities, ACAI Studios may require evidence of:
• Public Liability Insurance.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance where legally required.
• Relevant professional or equipment insurance.
• Risk assessments and method statements.
• Supplier qualifications or safety documentation.
Failure to provide reasonably requested information may result in access being refused or the booking being cancelled where proceeding would create an unacceptable risk.
20. Photography, filming and permissions
The booking holder is responsible for obtaining all permissions, licences, releases and consents required for their production or event.
This includes:
• Model and performer releases.
• Parental or guardian consent.
• Music licences.
• Brand, product and location permissions.
• Copyright and intellectual-property clearances.
• Permissions required for commercial publication or advertising.
Booking the studio does not transfer any copyright or other intellectual-property rights belonging to ACAI Studios or a third party.
ACAI Studios will not use a client’s photographs or footage for promotional purposes without permission or another lawful basis.
21. Privacy and personal information
Personal information will be handled in accordance with ACAI Studios’ Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.
Booking information may be used to:
• Administer and deliver the booking.
• Process payments.
• Communicate important booking information.
• Maintain appropriate business, financial and safety records.
• Investigate complaints, damage, access issues or contractual disputes.
• Meet legal and regulatory obligations.
Marketing communications will only be sent where ACAI Studios has an appropriate lawful basis, and recipients may opt out at any time.
Privacy questions or complaints should be sent to hello@acaistudios.co.uk.
22. Inspection, incidents and evidence
The booking holder must report damage, accidents, injuries, safety concerns, missing items and building incidents as soon as reasonably possible.
ACAI Studios may inspect the premises after a booking and investigate any reported or suspected damage, loss, overrun or breach.
When assessing responsibility, ACAI Studios may rely on relevant evidence including:
• Photographs.
• Access and alarm records.
• Booking-system records.
• Emails, messages and call records.
• Building-management reports.
• Witness statements.
• Contractor quotations and invoices.
• Police, fire-service or security incident references where applicable.
The booking holder must cooperate reasonably with an investigation.
23. Termination and refusal of access
ACAI Studios may immediately terminate a booking, refuse entry, require attendees to leave or refuse future bookings where the booking holder or an attendee:
• Materially breaches these terms.
• Creates an unacceptable health, safety or fire risk.
• Causes or threatens damage.
• Uses the premises unlawfully.
• Behaves abusively, violently or threateningly.
• Permits unauthorised access.
• Exceeds the agreed occupancy.
• Refuses to follow reasonable instructions.
• Remains beyond the authorised booking period.
• Fails to pay sums properly due.
Where termination results from the booking holder’s material breach, no refund will be due for the unused booking time, subject to applicable consumer law.
ACAI Studios may recover reasonable direct losses caused by the breach where legally permitted.
24. Liability
ACAI Studios will provide its services with reasonable care and skill.
ACAI Studios is not responsible for:
• Creative or commercial results that do not meet the booking holder’s expectations.
• Variations in natural light or weather.
• Failure of client-owned equipment.
• Loss of client data or files.
• Acts or omissions of the booking holder, attendees or external suppliers.
• Events outside ACAI Studios’ reasonable control.
Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability for:
• Death or personal injury caused by negligence.
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
• Breach of statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded.
• Any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited.
For business bookings, neither party will be liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of opportunity or loss of anticipated savings, except where such exclusion is not permitted by law.
25. Business-client indemnity
Where the booking holder is acting in the course of a business, they will be responsible for reasonable claims, costs, losses and liabilities arising directly from:
• Their breach of these terms.
• Their negligence or unlawful conduct.
• The actions of their attendees, employees, contractors or suppliers.
• Damage caused by equipment, props or materials they bring into the studio.
• A third-party claim arising from their production or use of the premises.
This responsibility does not apply to the extent that the loss was caused by ACAI Studios’ negligence or breach of duty.
26. Complaints
Complaints should be sent to hello@acaistudios.co.uk with the booking reference and relevant details.
ACAI Studios will aim to:
• Acknowledge the complaint within five working days.
• Investigate it fairly.
• Provide a substantive response within 30 days where reasonably possible.
If more time is required, ACAI Studios will explain the reason and provide an updated timescale.
27. General legal terms
These terms, the booking confirmation and any written booking-specific agreement form the contract between ACAI Studios and the booking holder.
If there is a conflict, a specific written agreement expressly accepted by ACAI Studios will take priority over these general terms.
No variation or waiver is effective unless confirmed in writing.
If any provision is found unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
A delay in enforcing a right does not waive that right.
No person other than ACAI Studios and the booking holder has a right to enforce the contract under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
28. Governing law
These terms and each booking are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction over disputes, although a consumer may bring proceedings in another part of the United Kingdom where applicable consumer law gives them that right.
29. Updates to these terms
ACAI Studios may update these terms to reflect legal, operational or service changes.
The version accepted when a booking is made will normally apply to that booking.
A later version will not retrospectively change a confirmed booking unless:
• The change is required by law;
• It benefits the booking holder; or
• Both parties agree to it in writing.
30. Contact
Questions, booking changes, incident reports, complaints and legal notices should be sent to:
ACAI STUDIOS LTD
Company number: 16685638
Ivy Mill Business Centre
Crown Street
Failsworth
Manchester
M35 9BG