TERMS & CONDITIONS 

Membership of Kiln Cambridge offers the opportunity for potters to enjoy wonderful, superbly equipped studio space in the company of other artists and with the support and advice from expert staff.

Our aim is to furnish and maintain the Studio and its equipment to the highest standards and provide a safe and happy environment in which collaboration and relationships can thrive.

These terms and conditions are to ensure that we achieve that aim.

Membership

You will become a Member of the Studio when you have completed the online registration form, following a visit to the studio and your application for Membership has been accepted and you have made payment. Once this has happened, as a member, you will have agreed to the Company’s Terms and Conditions as outlined below:

Payments

Fixed term contracts:  payment for membership will be taken in full before the membership start date. The longer the contract the more discount a member will receive (at present we are offering 6 and 12 months long membership contracts). Payment is to be made via bacs.

Rolling contracts:  As of August 2023, £225 per month for a minimum of 2 months, paid via our Stripe payment system. A period of 30 days’ notice is needed to terminate membership and the contract will roll over from month to month.

All prices include VAT.

We do not allow shared contracts or sub-lets.

Included in the price

Your Membership fee includes:

·       The use of Kiln Cambridge’s equipment & tools

·       Personal storage space

·       Free access to on-site technical support. 

·       In-house glazes and firings within reason.  Kiln and glaze usage will be monitored by technical staff. If it seems a member is using/requires a large amount of either, they will be requested to measure their pieces. Anything over 30 cubic litres of kiln usage per month will incur a surcharge. 

·       Members may use the Studio for up to15 hours per week and members must clock in and out. Time cannot be accumulated and used later. 

Holidays & time in lieu

We will not make refunds or reductions for holidays or time in lieu. 

Kiln Cambridge may choose to use discretion, in special circumstances, to allow a Member to suspend their membership for a period of not less than two months on the condition that Kiln Cambridge is able to find someone to take the space. 

A retainer fee of £112.50 per month will be payable by way of a reduced monthly fee for the period of suspension.

Refunds

Kiln Cambridge will make no refunds on 1-month contracts or rolling contracts. 

If you have paid for 6 months or more in advance, then we can discuss partial refunds for any time remaining on the contract if a notice period of 2 months or more has been given. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Studio Opening Times

Opening times (as of Aug 23, 9am-10pm)  will be detailed on the Website and will be updated from time to time. 

Kiln Cambridge reserves the right to vary opening times.  

Monday was initially a day the studio is closed. In response to members requests we are now open on a Monday but we reserve the right to close the studio in order to run classes and workshops for the wider public.

The Studio will be closed for two weekends a year during each of our bi-annual Shows (in which you will be invited to take part) and 2-3 days over the Christmas holidays. Kiln Cambridge reserves the right to close the Studio for additional periods.

Use of facilities

A Member is entitled to use the Studio’s facilities during its opening hours subject to these Terms and Conditions. This entitlement is subject to the provision that Kiln Cambridge may, at any time, without notice, withdraw all or part of its facilities for any period or periods in connection with any cleaning, repair, alteration, or maintenance work or for any other necessary reasons.

The minimum age for membership is 18. The minimum age for attendance on a course is 18.  In the future we may run workshops designed for children/ young people accompanied by a responsible adult.

Open Access Membership includes “fair usage” of glazes provided by the studio for use on pieces made in the Studio only. External glazes or self-made glazes must NOT be used in the studio unless with the prior written permission of Kiln Cambridge’s Technical Director. This permission will only be granted after the glaze has been test-fired in collaboration with a company technician to ensure there will be no ensuing damage to the kilns or kiln furniture or other Member’s work.

Open Access Membership includes up to 30 litres of kiln firing space per month in communal firings loaded by a Company technician at the studio’s pre-set temperatures. Only pieces made in the studio may be fired under this allowance. This allowance cannot be carried forward to the following month. Any additional work is fired at £1.50 / litre for members. This price may be subject to change to reflect the true cost of firing.

All glazed pieces must be fired on a purpose-made firing bat to prevent damage to kilns from running glazes. Members are liable for any damage to the kiln shelves caused by irresponsibly applied glazes. Technicians will not fire items in which the glaze is deemed to have been applied too thickly.

Kiln usage

Members may not use the kilns at any time.  All firing will be carried out by a trained technician.

If a member is found to have caused damage to the kilns (i.e. explosion or melt down) or other equipment through improper use they may be liable for costs of repair.

Data protection

As a member of Kiln Cambridge, we will contact you with information related to the studio, your membership, shows, opening times, health and safety and best practice. We will keep your personal data safe and will not pass this on to any third party.

Sharing the space

Neither Kiln Cambridge nor Kiln Cambridge’s staff is responsible for personal belongings or any work getting damaged, lost or stolen. In a communal studio such as this, it is inevitable that there will occasionally be work that gets damaged. If you do decide to bring in your own materials, glazes or any equipment into the studio this must be cleared first by a member of staff. Best practice should be adhered to at all times when working in the studio and respecting the space and work of other members is vital.

Personal storage

If you cease to be a Member, work in your personal storage area must be removed from the studio by the end of the day your membership finishes.

Materials

We have a fully stocked materials store (please ask staff).

 Cleaning

This is a communal work space and, to ensure that everyone has the best experience,   it is essential that all Members and students clean their work space , wheel, equipment and tools completely at the end of their session. 

When you use the studio it is best practice to do 20 minutes of cleaning where you have worked and in the communal areas. To avoid contamination and to keep the air clean, always wet clean any dry materials.

Wash up and wipe down the kitchen area after you have used it.  Leave it nice for the next people in.

Guests

If you want to invite friends/family to see the space “briefly”, meet fellow members or staff this is fine. 

If you would like someone to be in the studio for more than 10 minutes and work alongside you on a project this must be agreed in advance with Kiln Cambridge’s management. As a rule, people are not allowed to use the studio unless they have signed up and anyone visiting must be supervised by an inducted studio member / staff at all times.  Children under 16 may not accompany Members during their working sessions and may not use any of the facilities unless on a specially allocated children’s event.

Parking

There is limited parking on the site.

There is plenty of free parking in Ditton Walk and a bike rack for Kiln users near the entrance to the site. You may not leave bikes inside the studio.

Special requirements

If you have any special requirements, please let us know during your induction.

Security

Members will be issued with a personal key fob which they will use to access the building.

The building is protected by a security camera and a burglar alarm. The burglar alarm will be programmed to activate once the facility is closed.  Members should be aware that if they try to enter the building before the opening time (9 am) or leave after closing time (10 pm), they may activate the alarm.

Health & Safety

Members must have a full induction of the studio before using the space. By signing the induction form, Members agree that they have understood everything covered in the induction. It is also important that everyone respects all Health & Safety regulations, signage, and Kiln Cambridge staff / members.

Members use the studio at their own risk will be aware of the inherent hazards of a studio environment, which include but are not limited to use of sharp tools and sharp edges, exposure to toxic materials, the dangers of using materials and equipment at high temperatures, and the risks associate with breathing silica dust.

Each Studio Member is required to read and follow the health and safety information outlined in the handbook and undergo a Health and Safety induction before they begin their Membership.

Each Member must comply with all health and safety instructions given by the staff at all times, including the COVID safety and hygiene requirements.

Each Member is required to keep all surfaces clean of clay and glaze and to clean all areas including the floor around his work station thoroughly before completing their Session. This is to minimise the risks to Members caused by breathing clay and glaze dusts.

In the interests of safety and hygiene, no crockery, glass or food are permitted in the work areas. 

Except for guide dogs, no Member’s pets are permitted in the Studio buildings.

Members must use the main entrance to the Studio when entering or leaving the Studio. In the event of a fire, Members are asked to make their way to the nearest available exit.

Smoking is forbidden in the Studio.

The main important points covered in the induction

·       Kiln Cambridge cannot be held responsible for any injuries caused through the misuse of the studio or equipment.

·       Members are responsible for cleaning their work benches, wheels, tools and equipment and putting them away.

·       Members must use tools and equipment in a way that ensures their own health and safety and that of others.

·       Food or drink should not be consumed in the work area.

·       Fire safety. Please be aware of our evacuation procedure.

·       Kiln Cambridge reserves the right to terminate a membership at any time if a member deliberately damages the facilities and equipment at the studio. The member responsible will be asked to pay for the damages or one month of membership fee will be retained.

·       Our aim is to provide a happy and pleasant environment for our members and we expect that all the members respect this.

·       We reserve the right to suspend or cancel any membership if any of the above points are not respected.

We may at any time modify these Terms and Conditions. We will notify you of any changes by emailing you and/or by posting a notice at the studio. By continuing to use the services after changes to these Terms and Conditions are made and notified to you, you agree to be bound by such changes. Please review the Terms and Conditions carefully and make sure that you understand them. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you must not become a member of Kiln Cambridge.