Legal
Independent Contractor Agreement
Last updated: 18 June 2026
This agreement is entered into by each Bartender ("Contractor") on registration and applies to every engagement accepted through The The Hospitality Reserve Platform.
1. Status
- The Contractor is engaged as a self-employed independent contractor in business on their own account.
- Nothing in this agreement, or in any booking accepted via the Platform, creates a relationship of employer/employee, worker, agency worker, partnership, or joint venture between the Contractor and the Platform.
- The Platform is not an employment business or employment agency. It provides software that enables the Contractor and the Venue to find each other and transact. The contract for services for each engagement is formed directly between the Contractor and the Venue.
2. Tax, NI and VAT
The Contractor is solely responsible for accounting to HM Revenue & Customs for all income tax, National Insurance contributions, and (if registered) VAT in respect of fees received. The Contractor indemnifies the Platform against any liability for income tax, NICs, penalties or interest arising from their engagements.
3. Substitution and control
The Contractor may, with the Venue's prior agreement, send a suitably qualified substitute. The Contractor provides their own tools of trade where reasonable, exercises their own professional judgement, and is not subject to the day-to-day control of the Platform.
4. Insurance
The Contractor is responsible for maintaining appropriate public liability insurance and any other insurance reasonably required for their profession.
5. Compliance
The Contractor will comply with all applicable laws including the Licensing Act 2003, health and safety obligations, food hygiene standards, and the Venue's reasonable house rules while on site.
6. Right to work
The Contractor warrants that they have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom and will provide documentary evidence on request. The Platform may suspend the account where evidence is not provided or has expired.
7. Confidentiality
The Contractor will keep confidential any non-public information about the Venue, its members, guests, and operations obtained in the course of an engagement.
8. Off-Platform engagements
Where the Contractor and Venue first met through the Platform, the Contractor will not accept off-Platform engagements with that Venue for a period of 6 months from the last Platform booking, save with the Platform's written consent.
9. Liability
The Contractor accepts liability for their own acts and omissions and indemnifies the Platform against third-party claims arising from them. Nothing limits liability for death, personal injury caused by negligence, or fraud.
10. Governing law
This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
The Hospitality Reserve operates as a neutral technology platform. We are not an employer, employment business, or employment agency within the meaning of the Employment Agencies Act 1973. Any engagement is strictly between the venue (client) and the bartender (independent contractor).