Terms and conditions for a pottery studio

A pottery studio has a problem no other class has: the work is finished weeks later, in a kiln the customer never sees, and some of it comes out broken. The terms have to explain that firing is a risk, set the rules for collection and storage, and run classes, open studio memberships and firing services on one document. I draft those terms for a fixed fee of £995, delivered in five working days.

Who this is for

Pottery studios, ceramics classes, paint-your-own-pottery cafés and open studio memberships in England and Wales serving consumers, children's parties and corporate groups, and offering kiln firing as a service.

What matters in pottery studio terms

Firing, breakages and the limits of the kiln

Pieces crack, glazes run and kilns misfire. The terms should say that firing is carried out with reasonable care but that loss or damage in the kiln can happen without fault, that you are not liable for pieces that fail through the maker's construction or glazing choices, and what you will do where a failure is caused by your own error (a replacement class or a refund of the firing fee). Liability caused by your negligence cannot be excluded against a consumer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, so the terms are clear about the difference.

Collection, storage and disposal

Fired work waits on shelves for weeks. The terms should set the collection period, say that work not collected within it may be disposed of after a stated notice, and provide for a storage charge if you want one. Greenware left unfinished by members should be dealt with the same way. A studio without that term accumulates uncollected work indefinitely, and disposal should follow the bailee's procedure in section 12 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

Classes, courses and memberships

A class on a specific date is a leisure service excluded from the fourteen-day cancellation right by regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013; a course sold online carries the right until it starts at the customer's express request. Memberships need a start date, a notice period, a freezing policy and clear renewal terms, because an automatic renewal buried in the terms is the kind the Consumer Rights Act 2015 treats as unfair. Missed classes, transfers and minimum numbers should all be stated.

Materials, safety and the studio

The terms should say what clay, glaze and firing are included, that materials bought separately are goods, and that participants must follow instructions on wheels, kilns, glazes and dust, and disclose conditions affecting their safety. Open studio members using equipment unsupervised should accept responsibility for using it as trained, with the studio keeping the right to withdraw access. Injury caused by your negligence remains yours.

Children, parties and corporate groups

The terms should state minimum ages, that children are accompanied and supervised by their adult, and the rules for parties: numbers, food, timings and the organiser's responsibility. Corporate groups should be invoiced with interest on late payment under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, with the business as the customer. Photographs of work and participants for marketing need agreement.

What it costs

Customer or supplier terms and conditions, £995. One set of terms, customer-facing or supplier-facing, drafted for your business. Five working days.

Review of your existing terms, £495. You already have terms and want them checked and brought up to date. Returned marked up with my amendments and an explanation of the changes. Three working days.

Buying online forms the engagement on payment. The scope is what the terms and conditions drafting page describes, you accept the Terms of Service at checkout, and I email you within four working hours to get started. If you would rather ask something first, email me.

What you get

• A full set of bespoke terms drafted for your business, reflecting the legal requirements that apply to your business and sector
• A note in plain English explaining the terms I have drafted for you
• Liability, payment, termination and IP provisions that protect your position and are drafted to withstand scrutiny from the other side
• Guidance on how to incorporate the terms properly
• Your questions and comments answered by email or phone
• One round of amendments to finalise the terms ready for use

What is not included

• Negotiating your terms with individual customers (I am happy to quote for this as an additional service if required)
• Sector-specific regulatory compliance beyond the contract terms themselves
• Website privacy notice and cookie compliance, which I quote separately
• Terms governed by the law of another country
• Tax advice

Questions I am often asked

A customer's bowl cracked in the kiln and they want a refund for the class. Do I have to?

If the terms explain that firing carries a risk of loss without fault, and the crack was not caused by your error, the class was delivered and no refund is due. Many studios offer a goodwill remake; the terms should not promise one.

Work has been sitting uncollected for months. Can I throw it away?

If the terms set a collection period and provide for disposal after notice, you can, once the notice has been given and the period has run. Record what was sent and when.

Can I stop a member using the wheel unsupervised?

The terms should say that access to equipment is at the studio's discretion and may be withdrawn where use is unsafe, without refund of the membership for that reason.

Related guidance and services

• Terms and conditions drafting, £995, the service this page describes
• Contract review, £495
• Terms and conditions for an art class or craft workshop business

This page is general guidance for businesses in England and Wales, not advice on your own circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026. Email geoffrey@caesar.co.uk.