We look forward to welcoming you back to Cecil Sharp House, but of course we are opening in very different times. We’re committed to doing our part and we need our guests to do their part too as we work together to focus on safety. Our policies and procedures are under continuous review and are subject to change as we monitor conditions and receive guidance from health and government authorities.
We are a COVID-19 Secure venue. We have a Risk Assessment in place, and processes to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
View our COVID-19 Secure poster
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms
Stay home if you’re experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 (these are listed on the NHS website) or if you’ve recently been in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Arriving at Cecil Sharp House
It's now mandatory for us to collect Test and Trace information for everyone coming into the venue, even if they're just passing through.
When you get here, please check in using the NHS COVID-19 app if you are able to do so. An official NHS QR code poster is displayed at the main entrance.
If you don't have a smartphone, or can't download the app, one of our hosts will take your details manually.
Records of customers, visitors and staff will be retained for 21 days to provide data to NHS Test and Trace if requested.
All records are maintained under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Following safety measures
We are a COVID-19 Secure venue and follow all the safety and hygiene measures set out in the government's recent updates, which means it's safe for us to continue with all our planned activities.
Please do everything you can to help keep everyone safe by following these measures:
- Follow our directional signage when moving around the venue
- Keep a safe distance between yourself, staff and other visitors not in your household/social bubble
- Wear a face covering at all times when moving around the building or in shared spaces (unless exempt). This applies at all times when inside the building, except when eating or drinking. It must fully cover both nose and mouth.
- Inside the halls, follow the control measures detailed in the event’s COVID-19 Risk Assessment. Signage will be displayed on the entrances to the halls as a reminder of the controls in place.
- Use the hand sanitisers around the building
- Avoid gathering in groups of more than one household
- Please respect social distancing guidelines and remain at least 1 metre + from anyone who is not in your bubble at all times, including when queuing to enter and exit.
Important information for attending gigs at Cecil Sharp House
Entry and exit
- Doors will open 30 minutes before the performance. Please do not queue immediately outside the building before this time.
- You will enter the building from the lower ground floor. You will find toilets on that level, before proceeding upstairs to Kennedy Hall.
- As you enter you will be asked a quick health questionnaire, and be given a contact-free temperature check. If you appear to be unwell, you and your party may be unable to enter.
- A QR code will be displayed on arrival, so you can check in with the NHS COVID-19 App.
- Please use the hand sanitiser provided as you enter.
- We operate contactless and paperless ticketing. Please give the name under which your booking was made.
- After the show, please remain in your seat until a member of staff confirms that it is safe for you to leave.
- One way systems will direct you around the building. Please follow the signage, and any requests from Cecil Sharp House staff.
Toilets
- Toilets will be available before and after the show.
- Toilets will be cleaned throughout the day with anti-viral cleaning products.
Bar
- Drinks and refreshments must be ordered and paid for in advance. You will be emailed information about the ordering process.
- Please collect your order from the cafe-bar, and then follow the one-way system upstairs to be shown to your seat.
Seating
- Seating has been arranged into groups. All groups are separated by at least 1m.
- Please do not book for anyone who cannot sit within your bubble: separate groups must make separate bookings.
- Your seating will have been allocated by us in advance. You will be shown to your allocated seats by a member of our staff. If you have any access requirements, please tell us in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- We ask you to not swap seats when you arrive so we can maintain a safe distance between you and other groups.
- Our halls are cleaned between each event.
Access
- There are accessible routes to all halls and the buildings lift will be available (limited to two people).
- Accessible toilets are available for all halls.
- EFDSS hosts will be on duty to help all our visitors.
- If you have any access requirements, please tell us in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Safety measures
We’re following Government guidance to make sure the whole building is COVID-19 secure. Measures include:
- Reduced numbers of visitors
- Clear signage to guide people safely around the venue
- Hand sanitiser stations at the main entrances
- Regular and thorough cleaning of door handles, rails, toilets and other areas
- Asking all staff and visitors to wear face coverings as detailed in the COVID-19 Risk Assessment and following the latest government guidelines
- We’ll continue to review and manage any risks and to respond to any changes in Government guidance, keeping our staff trained and up-to-date as we go.
Making your booking
- Advance booking is essential. Book online at any time, or by calling 020 7485 2206 10am–5pm, Monday–Friday.
- You can book for a group of up to six people. All people in your booking must be from the same household, or a legally defined support bubble.
Book with confidence
- If you can no longer attend any gig, please let us know in advance. We can offer vouchers towards a future purchase, or a full refund.
- Our standard refunds policy continues for Education events. Some of these are exclusively online, and we offer an online alternative for those which are now taking place in-person.
Enjoying the show
- To maintain distancing please remain seated throughout in your allocated seat, except in emergency
- The show will run straight through, without an interval.
- We thank you for your understanding, and can't wait to welcome you back!
Further information
If you’d like to discuss any of these measures, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
