Terms & Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Clay Kobo Limited (the “Company”), trading as Clay Cobo Studio (the “Studio”), provides services, memberships, courses and classes. These Terms and Conditions apply to all Members and all users of the Studio.

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. By applying for or accepting Membership, booking a course or class, or using the Studio, you confirm that you have understood and agreed to them.

Membership
1. A person becomes a Member only when their application has been accepted by the Studio.
2. Subject to statutory rights of cancellation, all Membership, course, and class payments are non-refundable unless otherwise stated in these Terms.
3. Memberships, once commenced, are non-transferable and may not be shared.
4. The Company reserves the right to terminate or suspend a Membership at any time where it reasonably believes that the Member has failed to comply with these Terms and Conditions or the Studio rules, or where the Member’s conduct is detrimental to the Studio, its staff, or other Members. In such circumstances, the Company will act reasonably and may, where appropriate, provide notice or an opportunity to remedy the breach. Any remaining Membership fees will be refunded on a pro-rata basis unless the termination results from serious misconduct or damage to the Studio, in which case the Company reserves the right to withhold such fees to cover resulting losses or costs.
Studio Access
1. Members with subscription Memberships may use the Studio for a maximum of 25 hours per week across 5.5 days. Unused hours cannot be carried over. Half-shelf Members may access up to 10 hours per week.
2. Members must register their entrance and exit using the Studio’s registration system.
3. Members will be provided with a key to access the Studio. Keys must not be copied. The original key must be returned at the end of Membership. Lost or unreturned keys will incur a reasonable replacement charge, including lock replacement if required for security reasons.
4. Members must lock the front and back doors and lower the shutter if they are the last to leave the Studio.
5. The Studio is closed to Members for one weekday and for half a day on Saturdays. The specific closure date and time will be communicated separately and may change from time to time.
6. The Company reserves the right to vary opening hours or restrict access at its discretion. Published access hours are subject to scheduled weekly closure days and temporary operational restrictions.
Membership Fees
1. Membership fees are payable regardless of actual use of the Studio.
2. Membership fees cover access to Studio facilities in accordance with the relevant Membership type. Classes and courses are not included and must be booked and paid for separately.
3. Membership fees are charged on a calendar-month basis.
4. Where a Member joins part-way through a calendar month, the first month’s Membership fee will be charged on a pro-rata basis from the start date to the end of that month.
5. Fees may be increased at the Company’s discretion with at least 20 working days’ written notice. Any increase will apply from the next billing cycle.
Use of the Studio
1. Members may use Studio facilities subject to these Terms. Facilities may be withdrawn temporarily for cleaning, repair, maintenance, or operational reasons.
2. Members must not remove Studio facilities or equipment from the premises without prior written approval.
3. The Studio accepts no responsibility for personal belongings or work that is damaged, lost, or stolen. CCTV operates 24 hours a day for safety and security.
4. Members must thoroughly clean tables, wheels, floors, equipment, and tools after use.
Materials
1. Members may purchase stoneware clay and porcelain through the Studio. Membership includes access to Studio glazes.
2. Members wishing to bring in their own clay, glazes, stains, or materials must obtain prior approval from the Studio Technician. Only materials compatible with Studio firing temperatures are permitted.
3. Members are liable for damage caused by unsuitable materials, including replacement of kiln shelves or bases.
Storage
1. Each Member is provided with a personal shelf.
2. Members must respect others’ storage and privacy.
3. Clays must be stored in the designated area and unlabelled clay will be removed and recycled.
4. Members should not leave valuables in storage.
Health and Safety
1. Members use the Studio at their own risk and must be aware of hazards including sharp tools and edges, toxic materials, high temperatures and silica dust.
2. Members must keep all surfaces clean of clay and glaze, and clean their workstation and surrounding floor before leaving, to minimise dust risks.
3. Eating is permitted only on the ground floor. No pets are allowed except guide dogs.
4. Alcohol, smoking, and drug use are prohibited.
5. Fire exits are clearly marked. All exit routes must be kept clear at all times.
6. Glaze mixing is permitted only in designated ventilated areas.
7. Sanding is permitted only in the backyard. Members must clean up afterwards.
Technical Issues and Breakages
1. Only trained staff may operate kilns.
2. The Studio is not liable for failures inherent to the ceramic process.
3. Tampering with kilns will result in financial liability.
Firing
1. Only stoneware and porcelain may be fired.
2. Work must be clearly labelled.
3. Bases must be left unglazed with kiln cookies used.
4. To avoid contamination, when layering glazes Members must dip from light to dark.
5. Only Studio glazes may be used unless approved. External materials must be test-fired and approved.
6. Substances such as chrome and tin may not be permitted.
7. Weekly firing limits apply of 50cm x 50cm x 25cm per Member Half-shelf Members have half this allowance. Limits may be adjusted based on capacity.
8. Additional firing fees may apply for high-volume or oversized work.
Kiln Shelf and Damage
1. Any shelf damage caused by unsuitable materials or glaze application is the Member’s responsibility.
2. A shelf damage fee starting at £120 per shelf will be charged reflecting placement costs, labour, and kiln downtime.
Collection of Work
1. Fired work must be collected within two weeks of notification.
2. Uncollected work may be moved or disposed of after notice.
Shop Sales for Members
1. Members may sell work through the Studio shop, subject to a 30% commission.
2. The Studio accepts no liability for claims arising from sold items. Makers are responsible for food safety compliance.
Photography and Media
1. Photos and videos may be taken for promotional use. Members who do not wish to appear must notify staff in advance.
Courses and Classes
1. Fees for courses, workshops, and classes must be paid in full at the time of booking. Bookings are not confirmed until payment has been received.
2. Members are entitled to a 25% discount on standard published prices while Membership is active. Discounts must be applied at the time of booking and cannot be applied retrospectively or combined with other offers unless otherwise stated.
3. Customers may request cancellation by providing at least seven (7) days’ written notice before the start of a course, or at least seventy-two (72) hours’ written notice before the start of an introductory or single-session class. Refunds are only available where these notice periods are met.
4. Once a course or class has commenced, no refund will be given for any sessions not attended, regardless of the date of booking or any remaining statutory cancellation period. This includes situations where a booking is made shortly before the course start date and a cancellation request is submitted after the course has begun.
5. The Studio reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses or classes due to low attendance, instructor availability, or circumstances beyond its control. Where the Studio cancels a course or class, customers will be offered a refund or an alternative date.
Membership Payment Terms
1. Monthly Memberships operate on a rolling basis unless cancelled in writing in accordance with these Terms.
2. Monthly Memberships require at least one full calendar month’s written notice to cancel.
3. Monthly Membership fees must be paid by standing order, due on the first day of each calendar month. It is the Member’s responsibility to ensure payments are made on time and to cancel the standing order after the final Membership payment has been applied.
4. Upon joining a Monthly Membership, the Member must pay: (1) the pro-rata Membership fee for the first month, and (2) one full calendar month’s Membership fee in advance, which will be applied to the final month of Membership.
5. Where valid notice of cancellation is given, the final month of Membership will be covered by the advance payment already made, and no further monthly fees will be due for that final month.
6. The advance payment of the final month’s Membership fee forms part of the overall Membership pricing structure and is not a security deposit or refundable credit.
7. Annual Memberships are fixed-term and must be paid in full as a one-off payment in advance. Annual Membership fees are non-refundable, except where required by law.
8. Members must fully clear their allocated shelves on or before the final day of their Membership. Any items remaining after the Membership end date may be moved, recycled, or disposed of at the Studio’s discretion after reasonable notice.
9. Overdue fees may be charged to stored payment methods where legally permitted following reasonable contact attempts.
Data Protection
1. Personal data is processed in accordance with UK and EU GDPR requirements.
2. Data is used to process Memberships and communicate Studio updates or promotional information unless the Member opts out.
3. Financial transaction data will be retained as required by law.
4. For security and safety purposes, CCTV operates 24 hours a day covering both the inside and outside of the Studio premises. Images may be recorded and stored securely. Access to CCTV footage is restricted and will only be disclosed to authorised persons or as required by law.
Force Majeure
1. The Company is not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond reasonable control including fire, flood, power failure, equipment breakdown, or government restrictions.
Variation of Terms
1. The Company may amend these Terms with reasonable notice. Continued use constitutes acceptance.
Applicable Law and Jurisdiction.
1. These Terms are governed by English law and subject to the jurisdiction of English courts.
Disclosure
1. Personal information will only be disclosed where required by law or necessary to operate the Studio.