What is The Exchange?
The Exchange is a covered open space in the centre of Carlow Town at Potato Market run by Carlow County Council. This is community space and is used on Saturdays by the Carlow Farmers Market, and during the week can be used by other groups in the Town/County. It is operated from the Local Enterprise Office and is hired for a nominal fee for events/workshops etc.
What it is used for?
There are many potential uses for this versatile space, including:
Cinema • Community Garden • Conference Centre • Craft Space • Cultural Use • Dance Classes • Gaming Uses • Playground • Recreational Space • Restaurant/Café • Science/Technology, and many more.
The Exchange aims to become the primary space in Carlow Town Centre for exchange of information, culture, ideas, could become an economic and social hub, and become a place to host public events, tell stories and share ideas. It hosts social, political and cultural exchange, community debate, banter and incidental interactions, and can be used to display architectural models, drawings, maps, photographs and is an interesting space for architectural historians, researchers, geographers, poets, writers and thinkers.
The purpose of this space is to protect and enhance the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre and to provide for and improve cultural, tourism, public facilities, amenity and other uses appropriate to the centre of a developing urban core. It is an objective of the Council to encourage the full use of town centre buildings and lands including backlands and vacant properties, and the regeneration of this vacant space will lead to a more engaging and friendly civic space for tourists and locals alike.
What will it not be used for?
Certain anti-social uses will be restricted in keeping with the ethos of a community/artistic space.
What is not allowed:
- Alcohol Related Events
- Commercial Activities which displace current Economic Activity
- Political Events
Broad Structure and Cost
The Basic Model, hire of the Carlow Exchange Only, is a minimum charge model, to facilitate use by community and artistic groups predominately, but also to facilitates commercial activity which is complementary to, rather than in competition with, local commercial activity.
Community Use: €75 per day
3 Hour Block Rental: €30
Commercial Use: €150 per day
3 Hour Block Rental: €60
There is an anchor discount for the Farmers Market, as they will be using the Space every Saturday from 8am until 3pm throughout the year, and they will be the main Anchor Tenant.
Please note due to rising energy costs depending on the activity a rate for the use of power supply may be included in addition to the rental figure.
Waste Disposal:
A deposit will be charged for waste disposal and returned when the Space is returned in a satisfactory state.
Facilities are available for segregated systems of waste management and waste minimisation is encouraged.
Licence and Insurance:
Users will operate under Licence and must provide their own insurance.
Security:
Carlow County Council will engage a Security Company to Open & Close the Space, ensuring the safety and maintenance of the Space between clients.
Setup, Staging, Seating, etc.
In terms of setup of the venue Carlow County Council will appoint a panel of providers (via a procurement process) in the area of:
- Audio Visual & Staging
- Furniture Rental
- WC
Internal Event Designs as below, from a list of approved suppliers, will be available to hire by the client. The client will liaise directly with the suppliers, choosing from these designs, and pay the supplier directly for their services, which will include setup and take down.
- Shell Scheme with 3 X 2 Meter Stands
- Shell Scheme with 2 X 2 Meter Stands
- Small Stage & Seating with Desks
- Small Stage & Seating with No Desks
- Long Table Seating with benches and stage
Putting a panel in place will mean the companies will be familiar with the site, which will aid in setup and facilitate users in this regard. Alternately, the client can hire the Exchange as an empty space.
Booking
The online portal Consult Carlow, https://consult.carlow.ie/en/applications will be used for all Bookings and the Space will be marketed via Facebook / Digital Media, etc.
Universal Access
The space will be universally accessible and open to all community groups.
How does Carlow County Council select users?
Booking is open to all individuals and groups who operate within County Carlow, and Carlow County Council are particularly interested in artistic, cultural, tourist, and community activities.
Please note: As part of the criteria for selecting applicants Carlow County Council will consider the ethical and reputational consequences of our so doing and any implications acceptance may have for the reputation, security or wellbeing of Carlow County Council, its stakeholders and visitors.
How can I get an application form?
All applications are through Carlow County Council’s online portal at https://consult.carlow.ie/en/applications where a simple application process for The Carlow Exchange can be filled in.
How long does the application process take?
The process is quick and simple, and Carlow County Council aims to approve your application within a few days.
What information do I need to provide in the application form?
You will need:
· Name and Address of your Company (if you have one)
· Your own name, address, and contact details
· Type of activity you want to hire the Exchange for
· Length of hire – a few hours, a day, two days, etc.
· Date and time of hire
What Insurance do I need?
As part of the Carlow County Council Licence Agreement we require you to have the following cover:
· Public Liability €6 million
· Third Party property cover
You must provide a copy of your certificate as proof that the above is covered.
Not required as part of your Licence Agreement but If you employ staff in any capacity you must also have:
· Employers Liability
Carlow County Council does not need a copy of this.
· Contents insurance is arranged separately and is the sole responsibility of the Licensee
Carlow County Council does not need a copy of this.
How long can I hire The Exchange for?
You can hire the Space for a minimum of 3 hours, unless otherwise agreed. You can also hire the Space for a full day, or a number of days. Longer hires can be facilitated at the discretion of Carlow County Council.
What are the Licence terms, i.e. notice to leave, fees, etc.?
It is a licence agreement rather than a tenancy. The Licence is for a set period, as agreed in advance by both parties.
The Licence Fee covers hire of the Space, water, and electricity. Carlow County Council issues each user with a licence agreement. The user is therefore a Carlow County Council License.
A deposit is required for cleaning purposes, which is refundable assuming the Exchange is left in a clean state ready for next use. This deposit is paid when the licence agreement is signed.
Licence Fees and other charges are subject to an annual review on 1st October each year.
Licence Fee
Includes:
· Hire of Space
· Electricity
· Water
Excludes
· Insurance – all Licensees must be insured
· Storage space – there is no storage space available at The Carlow Exchange
What is the cost of hiring The Carlow Exchange?
THE LICENCE FEE
Community Use: €75 per day
3 Hour Block Rental: €30
Commercial Use: €150 per day
3 Hour Block Rental: €60
Carlow County Council would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Eligibility
You must operate in County Carlow to be eligible to hire The Carlow Exchange