LEGAL

Membership Terms

These terms apply to Centred memberships, Class Cards and drop-in sessions at Studio 221, 221-223 Royal College Street, London NW1 9TL, operated by Social Pottery Painting Ltd (company no. 10950533). They apply from the day you buy. Centred memberships start on 1 January 2027.

They sit alongside our general Terms and Conditions, Cancellation Policy and Refund Policy. Questions: members@socialpottery.com.

1. Who can join

Members must be 18 or over and complete our studio induction before their first session. Membership is personal, cannot be transferred or shared, and gives access to Studio 221 only.

2. Payment

You pay your first period when you buy, even if your membership starts later. On a monthly plan bought before 1 January 2027, that first payment covers January and the next is taken on 1 February 2027, then on the 1st of each month. Prepaid Platinum plans are paid in full upfront for their 6 or 12 months, and renew for the same term unless you cancel; we email you 14 days before each renewal. Extra firing is charged at the end of each month. Prices include VAT.

3. Minimum term and cancellation

Light, Studio, Glaze & Fire and rolling Platinum have a 2-month minimum term, then continue month to month. After the minimum term you can cancel with one month's notice by emailing members@socialpottery.com. If you cancel a prepaid Platinum plan, we refund any unused full months.

4. Pausing your membership

You can pause once a year for up to one month at no cost, with 7 days' notice. Your shelf is kept while you are paused, and your minimum term is extended by the length of the pause.

5. Studio hours and bookings

Hours are booked through the members' calendar during studio opening times, subject to availability. Unused monthly hours do not roll over. Bookings cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice count as used. Class Card hours expire 3 months after purchase.

6. Firing

Work is weighed when it is placed for firing. Your monthly allowance covers bisque and glaze firings of studio clay and studio glazes at our standard temperatures, and does not roll over. Extra firing is 50p per 100g. Firing carries some risk of cracking or damage; we take reasonable care but cannot guarantee results, and we may decline work we consider unsafe to fire.

7. Storage and collection

Shelves are allocated by plan. Fired work must be collected within 30 days. When your membership ends, please clear your shelf within 14 days; after that, any work or belongings left may be reclaimed or disposed of. Personal items are left at your own risk.

8. Studio rules and safety

By joining, you agree to follow the Studio Rules and the Health & Safety Brief below, and any reasonable instructions from our team. We may suspend or end a membership, with a pro-rata refund of prepaid fees, if these are seriously or repeatedly broken.

9. Price changes

We will give at least 30 days' notice of any price change, and you can cancel before it takes effect. Members who join for 2027 keep their monthly price until at least 31 December 2027.

10. Selling your work

Membership is for personal practice, and you are welcome to sell what you make on a small scale. For production or batch work, please talk to us first.

11. Liability

You use the studio and equipment at your own risk and must follow the safety guidance. Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot be limited by law. Your statutory rights are not affected.

12. Photos and your data

We sometimes photograph the studio and members' work for our channels; tell us if you would rather not be included. We handle your personal data in line with our Privacy Policy.

Studio Rules

A shared studio works when we all look after it. These ten house rules apply to every member and drop-in, and we go through them at your induction.

Book before you come. Reserve your hours in the members' calendar. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead or the time counts as used.
Share the wheels. When the studio is busy, keep wheel sessions to 3 hours so everyone gets a turn.
Clean as you go. Start cleaning 15 minutes before your session ends. Leave your wheel, bench and tools as you found them.
Label everything. Every piece needs your name and the date. Unlabelled work on shared shelves may be reclaimed.
Your shelf is yours. Keep work on your own shelf. The shared work-in-progress shelf is for one week at most.
Clay goes in reclaim. Scraps and slurry go in the reclaim bins. Never pour clay or glaze down the sinks.
Glaze with care. Use studio glazes only. Keep the bottom 5mm and the foot ring glaze-free, or the piece will not be fired.
Kilns are staff-only. Place finished work on the kiln shelf to be weighed. Only our technicians load, fire and unload kilns.
Members only. No guests, children or pets in member areas, except on booked guest sessions.
Be kind. Respect other makers, their work and our team. Classes have priority in the teaching area.

Health & Safety Brief

Read this before your induction. You will confirm you have understood it before your first session.

The golden rule: keep it wet. Dry clay dust contains silica, which is harmful to breathe over time. Never sweep, dry-brush or blow dust. Clean every surface with a damp sponge and mop the floor.

Dust and clothing

Wear an apron and wash it regularly.
Wipe tools and benches with a damp sponge.
Do not shake out clay-covered aprons or towels.

At the wheel

Tie back long hair; no loose sleeves, scarves or dangling jewellery.
Switch the wheel off before cleaning or leaving it.
Report any electrical or pedal fault straight away.

Glazes

No eating or drinking in the glaze area.
Wear gloves if you have cuts or sensitive skin.
Wash your hands after glazing and before you leave.

Kilns

Kilns reach over 1,000°C: never touch, open or lean on them.
Keep the kiln room clear; it is staff-only.
Only technicians handle work going in or coming out.

Tools, lifting and floors

Put needle tools, wires and blades away after use.
Clay bags weigh 12.5kg: bend your knees, or ask for help.
Mop up water and slip spills straight away.

In an emergency

A trained first aider is on every shift. We show you the first aid kit, the fire exits and the assembly point at your induction.
Report every accident or near miss to staff so it is logged.
Tell us about anything that affects your safe use of the studio.