Membership Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions for membership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.

By applying to become a Member of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“Chamber”), you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are subject to variation from time to time. Variations will be updated on the website, and the latest version of these terms and conditions will be available there. These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with the terms and conditions for event bookings.

1. Interpretation

1.1. Conditions: these terms and conditions.
1.2. Member: the person or company applying to become a member of the Chamber (“you” shall be construed accordingly).
1.3. Membership Fees: the charges payable by the Member for to be admitted as a Member of the Chamber as updated from time to time.
1.4. Membership Services: the services to be provided by the Chamber, which are subject to these Conditions, as described in the Membership application.
1.5. Membership Start Date: the day on which you are to become a Member of the Chamber and entitled to access the Membership Services, as set out in the Membership Application.
1.6. Membership Term: the Initial Term and any subsequent Renewal Term.

2. Application for Membership

2.1. Membership is only available to businesses as provided in the Chamber Articles of Association. The Chamber reserves the right to refuse any application for membership and to refuse to accept the renewal subscription from any Member in accordance with its Articles of Association. If your application is refused, any subscription paid will be returned to you.
2.2. Your Membership of the Chamber is subject to you:

2.2.1. abiding by the Chamber’s Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association and Bye-laws as updated from time to time.
2.2.2. paying the Membership Fee in force from time to time in accordance with these Conditions.
2.2.3. contributing to the assets of the Chamber, in the event of the Chamber being wound up while you are a Member or within one year after ceasing to be a Member, for payments of the debts and liabilities of the Chamber and the costs, charges and expenses winding up, such amount as may be required up to, and not in the event exceeding, the sum of one pound (£1.00).

3. Membership Fees

3.1. You shall pay the relevant Membership Fees that are payable during the Membership Term either:

3.1.1. annually in advance by credit card; or
3.1.2. monthly or annually by direct debit.

3.2. You agree that the Chamber may increase the Membership Fees from 1st April of each year.

4. Membership

4.1. Your Membership will come into effect from the date the Chamber receives payment of your Membership Fees and shall, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with these Conditions, continue for a period of 12 months (“Initial Term”) and, thereafter, shall continue unless terminated by either party giving no less than 1 months’ written notice to the other party (“Renewal Term”)..
4.2. Once payment has been made, for applicants who are not businesses, a cooling off period of 14 days applies.
4.3. Your Membership can be terminated by us in accordance with Article 15, and you may terminate your membership in accordance with Article 13, of the Chamber’s Articles of Association. Subject to condition 4.2, a Member may terminate Membership only after expiry of their first full year’s subscription Membership.

5. Obligations of Members

5.1. The Member shall:

5.1.1. co-operate with the Chamber in all matters relating to the Membership and the Membership Services;
5.1.2. provide, in a timely manner, such information as the Chamber may reasonably require, and ensure that it is accurate and complete in all material respects;
5.1.3. verify that you are you who you say you are;
5.1.4. ensure that the address provided is correct and can be verified;
5.1.5. ensure that the account number and sort code provided relate to you or your company;
5.1.6. confirm that you are authorised as a signatory on the bank account; and
5.1.7. consent to your business details appearing on the Member directory on the Chamber website.

6. Membership Services

6.1. The Chamber shall make the Membership Services available to the Member from time to time.
6.2. By becoming a Member of the Chamber you are entitled to Member rates on all our events and training courses, as well as gaining access to our additional services as notified to you from time to time. Your details on how to access these services will be provided once payment for Membership has been processed.
6.3. The Chamber shall be entitled to vary the Membership Services at any time. Such amendment shall not give rise to any liability for refund of Membership Fees paid. However, where a Membership Service is withdrawn, the Chamber may implement a suitable alternative (where demand for the current Membership Service is high enough). Additional services may be offered from time to time.
6.4. The Membership Services may be subject to additional terms and conditions. If the Membership Services are provided by the Chamber, then any additional terms and conditions can be found here. They will also be made available to you during the order process.
6.5. If the Membership Services are provided by a third party, then that third party is responsible for bringing those terms and conditions to your attention.
6.6. If you cease to be a Member of the Chamber, then your access to the Membership Services shall automatically expire. If you make use of any of the Membership Services after you cease to be a member of the Chamber, then you shall be required to pay one year’s Membership Fee to us but shall not be entitled to be a Member of the Chamber.

7. Liability

7.1. The Chamber does not accept liability for any advice given to Members either by other Members or for any losses suffered by a Member as a result of using services offered by a fellow Member or for advice provided by Chamber employees or anyone purporting to act on behalf of the Chamber. Any advice provided to Members is intended as initial guidance only and should not be relied upon or acted upon as substantive advice by the Member, who should seek appropriate independent professional advice according to the nature of their problem.
7.2. To the extent that:

7.2.1. the Chamber supply Membership Services subject to additional terms and conditions, the Chamber’s liability and responsibilities to you shall be supplemented by those additional terms and conditions;
7.2.2. the performance of the Chamber is prevented or delayed by any act or omission of the Member, its agents, subcontractors, consultants or employees, the Chamber it shall not be liable for any costs, charges or losses sustained or incurred by the Member that arise directly or indirectly from such prevention or delay; and
7.2.3. Membership Services are provided by a third party, then the Chamber shall have no liability to you in respect of those Membership Service.

8. Data Protection

We will process your personal data in accordance with the Chamber’s Privacy Policy, which can be found here.

9. Intellectual Property

Use of the Chamber’s logos and branding by Members is not permitted by any Member or non-Member business, unless agreed by us in writing, however Members can use the ‘member of’ logo provided in the joining pack after 28 days of Membership. Members may not advertise or describe themselves as ‘in partnership with’, ‘approved partner’, ‘patron of’, ‘approved by’, ‘supplier to’ or other similar claims, unless an agreement as a supplier, partner or patron exists between the Chamber and that Member.

10. General

10.1. Force majeure. The Chamber shall not be in breach of these Conditions nor liable for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations under these Conditions if such delay or failure result from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control.
10.2. Variation. The Chamber may vary these Conditions at any time and shall notify you 30 days in advance of such variations coming into force.
10.3. Governing law. These Conditions, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
10.4. Jurisdiction. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with these Conditions or its subject matter or Membership.

Last updated: 01/07/2024