[Dick Smith]

Before Christmas the Netley Slot Car Club had to vacate the elegant shed we have called home for the last 20 years. Considering that it cost £450 we have had very good service from it.

Fortunately we have found another much better home which one of our members is prepared to buy and his offer has been accepted, subject to contract. The club would pay for running costs, energy, water, insurance, maintenance etc

Having been situated in some bodies back garden we were always cautious about advertising out presence too widely.

Now we can, particularly as we may need additional income to cover running costs. As well as seeking new members we are thinking of such things as Dads and Lads evenings, race evenings for youth organisations such as the Scouts and do-your-own catering birthday parties.

This may bring us onto the radar of various authorities, although we are not going to complicate our lives by selling alcohol, food and drink, playing music or dancing all of which can need some form of licensing. Leaping up on down on the rostrum is not dancing!

So we are looking for experience, contacts, information, advice etc about:

INSURANCE
Obviously we will need building and contents. What about public liability? Does anybody know any companies who specialize in and therefore give good deals to small clubs?

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Apart from the routine of doing and recording an Annual Assessment of the common sense stuff such as trip hazards and hazardous material storage the premises does have the luxury of gas central heating. Is there any requirement for gas and electricity safety checks as there are for residential landlords?

BSCRA has a Child Protection Policy and Officer so that issue is covered. It is useful for some things!

I have already found out all I need to know about Business Rates and Planning both of which are not a problem.

And anything else anybody can think of.

If all goes well we should have a new track up and running in time for our Classic Meeting in August

Dick

 

[ss67]

Try Dare Insurance for the liability cover!

 

[Yazoo]

Don't forget you will also need every thing with a mains plug ie ; soldering iron, transformer, computer etc etc, on it tested and certificated by an electrician. Mike

 

[Dick Smith]

Thanks for your help gentlemen

 

[benj]

You will need to carry out a full risk assessment of the premises, including a fire risk assessment.

If you are allowing public into the premises and likely to have more than 5 people at any time it's likely you will require a fire alarm and emergency lights. New laws state person responsible for building is responsible for things like this.
this will need to be looked at and maintained continually.

Also all electrical kit will need pat testing yearly. Approximate cost £1.50 per item.

(we can do the fire alarm etc)

Insurance: public liability, try Bluefin, they are brokers but will source best deal for you. Saving you lots of wasted time.

Also you will need an insurance that covers kit etc. Same brokers.

Might be worth considering a security alarm to protect the premises if you are going to advertise it more? (again we can help)

One other thing, you must have a 1st aid trained person, speak to Eastleigh or Southampton council as they often run day courses, sometimes free of charge.

The number 5 (as in members/staff) is the number where things change for businesses.

Hope this helps

 

[AAWSCC]

Little of original subject, but what are you doing for the track Dick?
Routed or plastic?

 

[steve francis]

Bound to be wood, i`m just sorry to see the old track go, it was a great track to race on and the August retro event was one of the best. Best of luck with your move Dick, Mark and all at Netley. cheers steve

 

[Hobby]

Hi Dick.
I second Steve's sentiments. Always enjoyed the 'Netley Classic' and hope to run in many more in the future. Will you build a new track, or drag the venerable old one to your new venue and Rebuild/re-condition?
As for advice regarding the legalities of running a 'for the Public 'Club, why don't you email Malcolm at Wolves, he sorts out all of that side of things at our Club.
Regards Bill.

 

[Dick Smith]

Thanks for your various bits of advice gentlemen.

The track will certainly be routed wood and will follow similar principles to the old one hopefully making best use of the slightly larger area available. There is no prospect of moving the old track. It was built to the old solidily screwed down method in chip board over 20 years ago and would just fall apart.