Studio Rules

Last updated: 17 April 2026

These rules apply to anyone using the rehearsal rooms, communal areas, or car park at Unit 9, Montgomery Place, Irvine. They exist to keep everyone — you, the people after you, our staff, and our neighbours — safe and comfortable.

By booking a session or entering the building you agree to follow these rules. Ignoring them may end your session early, without refund, and in serious cases may lead to a permanent ban.

Everyone is welcome

We are committed to making South West Studios somewhere everyone feels welcome regardless of age, background, race, gender, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, or anything else. We follow our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion commitments.

Abusive, discriminatory, or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance.

Start and end times

Your session starts at the slot start time. Arrive a few minutes early to set up.
Your session ends at the slot end time — not three hours after you arrive.
Please be packed up, loaded out, and out of the room by the end of your slot so the next group can start on time. If you overrun, you may be charged for the next slot.

In the rehearsal rooms

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are fine — keep drinks off the equipment.
Alcohol is not allowed. We are not licensed, and drinking on site can void our insurance.
Drugs of any kind are not allowed. If you are visibly under the influence we will ask you to leave.
Smoking and vaping are not allowed anywhere in the building. There is a designated area outside.
Keep the volume reasonable for adjacent rooms. If we ask you to turn down, please turn down.
Don't move equipment between rooms without asking.
Don't modify our gear — no changing drum heads, re-patching the PA, or adjusting amp settings beyond normal playing use.

Leaving the room

Pack everything you brought with you.
Put cables, mic stands, and accessories back where you found them.
Wipe down anything you spilled on.
Put your rubbish in the bins.

Your gear

Bring it, plug it in, take it home. We aren't responsible for loss or damage to anything you bring. Please insure your own gear.
Loading in and out is your responsibility. Ask if you need a hand — we'll help where we can.

Damage

Accidents happen. Tell a member of staff straight away if you break or damage something.
If the damage was caused by clear misuse — deliberate or reckless — we'll charge the cost of repair or replacement to the person who made the booking.

Children and young people

People under 18 must be supervised by a responsible adult for the whole session.
Children must not be left unattended in communal areas.
See the Safeguarding Policy for how we protect young people at SWS.

Car park

Parking is free for session users, subject to availability.
Don't block other cars, the fire exit, or the loading door.
Your car is parked at your own risk.

Emergencies

Fire exits are clearly marked in every room. Don't block them.
The assembly point is at the far end of the car park.
Tell a member of staff immediately if something doesn't feel safe.
In a real emergency, call 999 first, then tell us.

Filming and photography

You can film and photograph your own group for your own records. That's your music, your gig, your choice.
Don't film or photograph anyone else without their permission.
If you want to film inside the studio for release (music video, social content for monetised channels), speak to us first.

If these rules are broken

A member of staff may give a warning, ask you to leave, end your session early, or in serious cases ban you from returning.
We reserve the right to cancel future bookings and refuse future bookings from anyone who has broken these rules.
Where something criminal has happened, we will report it to the police.

Questions

Speak to whoever is on duty, or use the website contact form.