Using our chairs

Our chairs are for use ON THE SAND ONLY, and only on INGOLDMELLS BEACH, between our hut and Bibby’s Beach Bar. We are not covered by our insurance for these chairs to be taken away, or used away from this location. Chairs must be pushed onto the sand using the nearest ramp to the Beach Ability Hut and must STAY ON THE SAND. Pushing the chairs on the concrete promenade can cause the wheels to burst. Please also be mindful of any objects on the sand. Please be advised that these chairs are hard to push, so it is recommended that you do not push them too far, so that you struggle to return them. The chairs can go to the sea and it is ok to get them wet. Again, please just be aware that pushing them back up from the sea may be difficult. It is totally the responsibility of the hirer of the chair to ensure that it is returned on time and in the same condition that it was let out in.

How it works

Our Beach Hut is not always open. As a volunteer service, it is not possible to have someone there all of the time. Therefore, it’s advisable to book in advance. Please see "How to book" for more information. Collection time for the chairs is 11am. Chairs must be returned to the hut at 4pm on the same date. The safety of the chair is the responsibility of the hirer between these times. It may be possible to agree an earlier time to return the chair, depending on the volunteer available on your requested date. You will also be provided with a contact number, in case of emergency situation requiring return of the chair any earlier than arranged. However, please be advised that it may take some time for our volunteers to return to The Hut. Please make us aware if you think that this may be a problem for you. We will always do our best to ensure that everyone can use our chairs.

Please remember that our volunteers are often on holiday themselves, and plan their days around helping out. So we really appreciate you being on time for your booking and when returning the chair. You can see our location and nearest car park on our "Where to find us" page. Please allow time to find a parking space, where necessary. Obviously this can be difficult during peak season when it’s busy. Please let our volunteers know if you have any problems on the day. If you are over half an hour late for collecting your chair, our volunteers may not be able wait for you.

Booking deposit

A £10 deposit is required to secure the booking of your chair. This is refunded to you after you have used the chair unless;

• You cancel your booking with less than 24 hours notice (11am the day prior to your booking.)
• You do not come at all on the day of your booking.
• You are more than half an hour late collecting or returning your chair.

Security deposit

We ask please for a £40 cash deposit to be left when you collect your chair. This will also be returned to you, on safe return of the chair, as long as it is not soiled and has not been damaged. 
 

Identification

For our insurance purposes, we must ask you to provide us with proof of identification. This ideally will be a photocard driving license as it has both a photograph and your address. However, if you do not have this, then a passport or other photo identification, with accompanying proof of address (acceptable forms are a council tax bill, gas/electric bill or bank account statement.) Please bring this along with you and we will photograph it on the day. It will be deleted on safe return of the chair. We do not keep/store this information anywhere. We cannot let a chair out to you without this, as we will not be covered by our insurance.

Types of chair

We have three different types of chair and a beach walker available. These are displayed on our “Our Chairs” page which gives the specifications of the chairs. If you have any further questions about the chairs please contact us and we will try to help you. However, please be aware that we are not qualified to assess that the chair is appropriate for the person(s) whom wish to use it. This, along with the safety of the user, is totally the responsibility of the person(s) using the chair and/or their carers. We ask you to please familiarise yourself with safe operation, and ask any questions, prior to taking the chair away from the hut.

Transfer to our chairs

We do not have hoisting facilities. We are only a small shipping container, big enough only to store the chairs. Unfortunately, operating a mobile hoist up on the promenade is not safe or viable according to HSE legislation. So we are not allowed to do this. Equally, we are unable to insure our volunteers to assist. So transfer between the chairs is totally the responsibility of the person(s) using the chair and/or their carers.

Your wheelchair

You may store your own wheelchair/mobility scooter/or other equipment in the Beach Ability Hut, where necessary. However this is at your own risk (our insurance does not cover your chairs, equipment or property.) The hut will be securely locked, if there is no volunteer on duty there.

Your responsibility

The hirer (person whom has given their identification) will be liable for any repairs to, or any cleaning of a chair that is required due to the hirers negligence or misuse of the chair. You will be invoiced for any such costs and asked to pay the amount within 7 days, so that we can continue to let others make use of the chair as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to read this information, we hope to see you soon