Bench Hire Terms and Conditions

Bench Hire Terms & Conditions

Bench hire provides access to a fully equipped jewellery workspace for independent, self-directed making only. It is not a taught session, lesson, or supervised practice.
Hirers must already be competent and confident using standard jewellery tools and equipment.
If a hirer requires significant assistance, correction, or instruction, this will be treated as tuition and will incur an additional fee or require booking a separate taught session.

Bench hire is available only to makers who:
- Have prior jewellery-making experience
- Can work safely and independently
- Understand basic workshop processes (soldering, sawing, filing, polishing, etc.)
If the hirer is unsure about any process, they must not attempt it during bench hire. Tuition can be booked separately.

Bench hire is charged at £35 per hour.
A £5 consumables fee per session covers shared workshop materials such as sawblades, solder, flux, pickle, sandpaper, polishing compounds and gas usage.
Kiln use and melting down of precious metals incur an additional see (see section 8 and 9)
Hirers may bring their own materials or purchase silver, gold, stones, and findings from the studio. A plentiful stock of materials is available. Please contact Liz in advance of session if there is anything you require which may need ordering in.

Sessions must be booked in advance.
Payment is due at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed.
Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged in full, as preparation and scheduling time will already have been allocated.
All setup and cleandown must be completed within the booked session time. Additional time will be charged if a session overruns.

All hirers must complete a mandatory tool usage and health & safety briefing at the beginning of their first bench hire session, unless they have previously completed this recently with Liz as a learner. This briefing is a one-off requirement and is not included within paid bench hire time.

Tools must be used only for their intended purpose.
Any damage caused by misuse will incur a repair or replacement charge.
Any spillages, breakages, or issues with tools or equipment must be reported to Liz promptly.

If a hirer wishes to use tools or processes not previously covered with Liz, they must arrange a separate briefing or tuition session. New or unfamiliar techniques cannot be attempted during bench hire.
The studio reserves the right to stop any unsafe practice immediately.

Projects must be suitable for a small jewellery studio. Processes or materials that pose a risk to health, safety, or air quality are not permitted. This includes hazardous chemicals, industrial resins, acids stronger than standard jeweller’s pickle, nonjewelleryspecific substances, and any ventilationintensive activity carried out to an excessive degree. The studio may limit or stop any process if it compromises safety or the shared studio environment.
Basic consumables are supplied (e.g., sawblades, solder, flux, sandpaper, polishing compounds).
Consumables provided must be used thoughtfully and without unnecessary waste; excessive or avoidable overuse may incur additional charges.
Specialist consumables such as solder paste, burrs, radial discs and other projectspecific materials are not included and must be brought by the hirer or purchased separately.

Due to high electricity consumption and the specialist nature of the equipment, Kiln use is not included in standard bench hire.
Kiln fees:
- £10 per firing for standard cycles (e.g., annealing, small PMC pieces, short enamelling).
- £15–£20 per firing for longer or hightemperature cycles.
Only makers who have previously covered kiln use with Liz, or who have completed a recent kilnuse briefing, may use the kiln independently.
Please ensure you request kiln use in advance, as the kiln requires setup, preheating, and planning time.

A meltingstation fee of £10 per session applies, covering up to two standard melts/ingots. Additional melts are charged at £5 each to reflect increased gas use, specialist consumables, and equipment wear.
Only hallmarked or knownpurity silver may be melted; unidentified or plated items are not allowed. All silver must be checked and approved by the tutor before melting.
Melting is restricted to the designated melting station, which must be booked in advance.
Only studioapproved crucibles, tools, and moulds may be used.
The studio may pause or refuse melting if safety or equipment is at risk.
Melting must finish in time for safe cooling and cleandown before the session ends.

Hirers must work respectfully and considerately in a shared studio environment, keeping walkways, benches, and communal areas clear.
Benches must be left clean and tools returned to their designated places at the end of the session.
The studio cannot store unfinished work or personal materials. Items left behind may be disposed of after 7 days.
Photography or filming in the studio is permitted but must not include other makers without their consent.
Only booked hirers may be in the studio. Visitors and children are not permitted during bench hire, unless agreed in advance.

Hirers work at their own risk.
The studio is not responsible for personal injury resulting from unsafe or incorrect tool use, nor for loss or damage to personal items, or faults arising from poor technique or project design.
The studio is not liable for damage to materials supplied by the hirer, including stones, metals, or components that react unpredictably during making processes.
The studio accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any items left on the premises.
The studio will always aim to provide fully functioning tools and equipment. If an unexpected technical issue occurs, the session may be adjusted or rescheduled at the tutor’s discretion, but the studio is not liable for consequential loss or compensation.
The studio is not responsible for allergic reactions or sensitivities arising from contact with workshop materials, chemicals, or dust.
The studio is not responsible for the quality, durability, or outcome of work produced during bench hire.
Personal insurance is recommended for professional makers.
Public liability insurance is recommended for professional makers or anyone selling their work, to ensure appropriate cover for accidents or damage arising from their own activities.

The studio may refuse or terminate bench hire if:
- A hirer is working unsafely
- A hirer attempts processes beyond their competency
- A hirer breaches these Terms & Conditions

This ensures a safe and supportive environment for everyone.