Frequently Asked Questions

BOOKING & PAYMENT

How do I book?

To book you can call our office in Bardney on 01526 397995 or e-mail at sales@als-group.co.uk or by filling out our online contact forms. We also offer a call back service.

What happens after I book?

Your details are recorded on 3 different systems so double booking will never occur.

Can I pay by card?

We accept all major credit/debit cards. We also accept cash, cheque and BACS transfers.

How much is the deposit?

We require a 25% deposit to book your event. The remaining balance is required no later than 8 weeks prior to your event.

Do you carry liability insurance?

We carry full public liability insurance of £5 million, all our equipment is PA tested and activity risk assessed. Many independent companies do not carry this type of insurance and will be holding you and your guests at risk. Please be sure to check with your venue and notify us in the event an insurance certificate is required.

Can I do a payment plan?

We have all types of payment plans to suit your needs which include: BACS payment and standing orders. However, no matter how the payment plan is structured you will still be required to have paid your deposit 5 days after your verbal booking and the final payment will be taken 1 month prior to your event.

ABOUT US & OUR STAFF

Where are you located?

Our head office is located 20 minutes outside Lincoln in the small village of Bardney.

How do we go about meeting you?

We can organise a meeting to suit you at our premises or at yours.

How many members of staff do you employ?

We have 10 full-time members of staff and around 40 part-time staff members who are fully trained and specialise in the different services that we provide.

How long have you been going?

The 'A.L.S Group' was formed in 1994 after the need for professional quality entertainment and catering at affordable prices was recognised. The need to provide a varied selection of quality entertainment and catering has driven the organisation to where it is today, providing the latest technology in sound, lighting and visuals and the highest quality locally sourced cuisine backed by a professional, friendly team.

What are your business times?

Our head office is open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, however we are contactable outside of these times and we strive to reply to all e-mail enquiries within 1 hour.

Are all your staff CRB checked?

Yes, all our staff are CRB checked and we hold full background checks on employment.

Are all the services on your website yours?

Yes, we are not agents and all our services are owned and run/operated by our professionally trained staff. We can book acts on your behalf such as magicians and bands.

CANCELLATION POLICY

What is your refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable; your deposit secures your booking so that we do not take another booking for the same activity/service. If you have paid for your booking in full and then you decide that you need to cancel your event, then as long as you cancel at least one month prior to your event then a full refund minus your deposit will be reimbursed. If cancellation is needed within one month prior to your event, then we can offer a change in date subject to availability.

What are our cancellation costs/What is your cancellation policy?

Greater than 8 weeks prior to the event - Deposit 8 weeks or less prior to the event - 50% of Fee 4 weeks or less prior to the event - Full Fee

Force Majeure

Force Majeure Events of Force Majeure For the purpose of this Agreement, an "Event of Force Majeure" means any circumstance not within the reasonable control of the Party affected, but only if and to the extent that (i) such circumstance, despite the exercise of reasonable diligence and the observance of Good Practice, cannot be, or be caused to be, prevented, avoided or removed by such Party, and (ii) such circumstance materially and adversely affects the ability of the Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and such Party has taken all reasonable precautions, due care and reasonable alternative measures in order to avoid the effect of such event on the Party's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to mitigate the consequences thereof. Instances of Force Majeure Subject to the provisions of clause 1.1, Events of Force Majeure shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the following Natural Force Majeure Events: fire, chemical or radioactive contamination or ionising radiation, earthquakes, lightning, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, droughts or such other extreme weather or environmental conditions, unanticipated geological or ground conditions, epidemic, famine, plague or other natural calamities and acts of God; explosion, accident, breakage of a plant or equipment, structural collapse, or chemical contamination (other than resulting from an act of war, terrorism or sabotage), caused by a person not being the affected Party or one of its contractors or subcontractors or any of their respective employees or agents; to the extent that they do not involve [country] or take place outside of [country], acts of war (whether declared or undeclared), invasion, acts of terrorists, blockade, embargo, riot, public disorder, violent demonstrations, insurrection, rebellion, civil commotion and sabotage; strikes, lockouts, work stoppage, labour disputes, and such other industrial action by workers related to or in response to the terms and conditions of employment of those workers or others with whom they are affiliated save, when such event is directly related to, or in direct response to any employment policy or practice (with respect to wages or otherwise) of the party whose workers resort to such action; in relation to the Concessionaire, non-performance by a counter-party to a contract relating to the Concessionaire's Business by reason of an event or circumstance that would constitute a Natural Force Majeure Event under this Agreement; and (b) the following Political Force Majeure Events: to the extent they take place in [country], acts of terrorists, blockade, embargo, riot, public disorder, violent demonstrations, insurrection, rebellion, civil commotion and sabotage; to the extent that they are politically motivated, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, labour disputes, or such other industrial action by workers, save in relation to the Concessionaire, when such event is directly related to, or in direct response to any employment policy or practice (with respect to wages or otherwise) of the Concessionaire; failure or inability of the Concessionaire to obtain or renew any Consent, on terms and conditions as favourable in all material respects as those contained in the original Consent relating to the Concessionaire's Business (other than due to a breach by the Concessionaire of any of such terms and conditions); any action or failure to act without justifiable cause by any Competent Authority, other than a court or tribunal(including any action or failure to act without justifiable cause by any duly authorised agent of any Competent Authority, other than a court or tribunal); expropriation or compulsory acquisition of the whole or any material part of the Concessionaire's System or Investor's shares in the Concessionaire, except where such appropriation or compulsory acquisition is on account of contravention of law by the Concessionaire or by the Investor; any legal prohibition on the Concessionaire's ability to conduct the Concessionaire's Business, including passing of a statute, decree, regulation or order by a Competent Authority prohibiting the Concessionaire from conducting the Concessionaire's Business, other than as a result of the Concessionaire's failure to comply with the law or any order, Consent, rule, regulation or other legislative or judicial instrument passed by a Competent Authority; in relation to the Concessionaire, non-performance by a counter-party under a contract relating to the Concessionaire's Business by reason of an event or circumstance that would constitute a Political Force Majeure Event under this Agreement, provided that breakdown of plant or equipment (unless itself caused by an Event of Force Majeure), or unavailability of funds, shall not constitute an Event of Force Majeure. Effects of an Event of Force Majeure Either party shall be excused from performance and shall not be in default in respect of any obligation hereunder to the extent that the failure to perform such obligation is due to a Natural Force Majeure Event. Additionally, the Concessionaire, [but not [ ] in respect of [ ]], shall be excused from performance and shall not be in default in respect of any obligation under this Agreement to the extent that the failure to perform such obligation is due to a Political Force Majeure Event. Notice of an Event of Force Majeure If a Party wishes to claim protection in respect of an Event of Force Majeure, it shall, subject to clause [ ], as soon as possible following the occurrence or date of commencement of such Event of Force Majeure, notify the other Party of the nature and expected duration of such Event of Force Majeure and shall thereafter keep the other Party informed. The Parties shall use their reasonable endeavours to: (i) overcome the effects of the Event of Force Majeure; (ii) mitigate the effect of any delay occasioned by any Event of Force Majeure, including by recourse to alternative mutually acceptable (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld by either Party) sources of services, equipment and materials; and (iii) ensure resumption of normal performance of this Agreement as soon if this is reasonably practicable or shall perform their obligations to the maximum extent practicable, provided that neither Party shall be obliged to settle any strike, lock out, work stoppage, labour dispute or such other industrial action by its employees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Will you be on time?

We endeavour to be 15 minutes early when we drop our equipment to help us achieve our goal we have a fleet of 10 vans equipped with up to date sat-nav's and a side team on standby. Each driver is given a detailed schedule during the week which explains where to drop and how long it takes to travel between drops/collections.

What if I want more time on the night?

You can speak to one of our members of staff on the night and request your requirements to them (it is then at their discretion). £75 + VAT will be charged per half/hour requested that exceeds the agreed timings.

How much space will you require?

All our sizes are stated on our website with a picture of that simulator however you will need to leave around 4 foot of extra space around the activity to ensure the safety of your guests.

What if I haven't got a power point close by?

If a power point is further than 30 metres away then we can provide a large generator (additional charge).

Can the simulator be set on hard surfaces?

Yes, we are able to set our simulators on hard surfaces such as tarmac and concrete and we secure them by using sandbags.

What are your timings?

Our timings range on which item or service you require - Discos - 5 hours - usual timing of 7pm until 12am. Simulators - 4 hours manned. Chocolate Fountain - 3 hours manned. BBQ's & Hog Roasts - 1 hour service. Mobile Bars - depending on function then it can be open from morning to night. Hire Inflatables - A days hire from 8am until 7pm if required. Manned Inflatables - 4 hour hire. Wedding Services - Timings are to suit you and we can even set up the day before. Extra time is available if needed at an extra charge.

Got a question? Email us or call on 01526 397 996

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