Membership
Members are advised that they must abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association of South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which are available for inspection at the Chamber’s Registered Office.
Applications for membership are subject to acceptance by the Chamber Board. Subscription fees will be refunded in full should the application be unsuccessful.
Your membership begins on the date your first payment (or, for direct debit members, your first direct debit collection) is received and runs for an initial 12-month term. By signing up to an annual, quarterly or monthly direct debit, you enter into an agreement for a minimum of 12 months. If you cancel your membership before the end of that 12-month term, the outstanding balance of the annual fee for the remainder of the term will remain payable.
By signing up for our membership, you agree to the automatic renewal of your membership upon the expiration of the initial 12-month term. We will notify you via email 30 days prior to the renewal, to give you an opportunity to modify or cancel your membership. Failure to cancel or modify your membership before the renewal date will result in automatic renewal and the billing of your designated payment method for another 12-month term.
Where a renewal invoice remains unpaid more than 30 days after the renewal date, the Chamber may suspend membership benefits and, at its discretion, cancel the membership. Cancellation under this paragraph does not release the Member from liability for any fees that have fallen due up to the date of cancellation.
If membership fees change, we will notify you in writing (including by email to the address you have given us) at least 30 days before the change takes effect. If you do not wish to accept the new fee, you may terminate your membership with effect from the date the new fee would otherwise apply by giving written notice to the Finance Department before that date, in which case no further fees will be payable for any period after termination.
Cancelling Your Membership
If you wish to cancel your membership you must:
Provide written notice to the Chamber’s Finance Department at least 30 days prior to your renewal date. Written notice may be given by email to [finance@sccci.co.uk] or by post to the Chamber’s Registered Office. Cancellation takes effect once we have acknowledged receipt of your notice. Where written notice is received less than 30 days prior to the renewal date, the Chamber will use reasonable endeavours to prevent the renewal being processed; if renewal has already been collected, a reasonable administrative charge (not exceeding £10) may apply to cover the costs of processing the late cancellation.
If you cancel your membership we will not refund any membership fee paid in advance which relates to a period after cancellation.
By completing and submitting this application, the Member agrees that the Chamber may contact them by telephone, email or post using the details supplied in relation to their membership and the services provided to them (service communications). Marketing communications will only be sent where the Member has provided a separate opt-in, and may be withdrawn at any time by contacting the Chamber. The Chamber will comply with its obligations under UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), including screening marketing calls against the Telephone Preference Service and Corporate Telephone Preference Service as applicable.
Code of Conduct for South & North Cheshire Chamber Members
South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd aims to provide a safe and professional environment for Members, non-members, and Chamber staff.
This Code of Conduct reflects that aim and is made pursuant to the Articles of Association of the South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and is intended to outline and clarify certain of the key aspects that affect or may affect a Member’s relationship with the Chamber.
This Code does not provide an exhaustive list of the obligations of membership, and this Code does not preclude the Chamber from taking any action (including deciding not to take a particular course of action) which it is entitled to take under its Articles or by rule of law or statute or otherwise.
In this Code, a ‘Member’ means a member of the Chamber for the time being and any of its officers or representatives. A Member might be an individual, a business or corporate body and listed in the Directory of the Chamber.
Furthermore, the Chamber commits to reciprocal adherence and upholding of similar standards of conduct in respect of Members, non-Members, its staff, and the general public.
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS CODE
As a professional business organisation, the Chamber expects its Members to observe and abide by this Code, and to uphold the values, professionalism and integrity of the Chamber.
Participation in events, meetings and all other activities of the Chamber is subject to the provisions set out in this Code and to such other terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Chamber from time to time.
The Chamber does not tolerate discrimination, disrespectful or threatening behaviour of any type between or towards any Member, non-member, individual or organisation or members of staff engaged by or associated with the Chamber.
Should any person feel that any Member has acted in such a manner towards them, then they may raise a formal complaint in accordance with the Chamber’s complaints procedure.
In the event of any breach of or non-compliance by a Member with any of the terms of this Code (whether or not such breach or non-compliance is the subject of a formal complaint), the Chamber reserves the right, acting through the Board of the Chamber (the “Board”) and following the process set out below, to take any one or more of the following actions against that Member, including but not limited to: (a) exclusion from Chamber events; (b) removal from Chamber media; (c) suspension of membership and membership benefits; and (d) termination of the membership of the defaulting Member. In the case of termination under (d), the Chamber is not required to refund any membership fees paid in advance, whether in full or on a pro rata basis.
Before taking action under (c) or (d) above, the Chamber will: (i) notify the Member in writing of the alleged breach and the action being considered; (ii) allow the Member a reasonable period (normally not less than 14 days) to respond in writing or to request a meeting with a representative of the Board; and (iii) consider any representations made by the Member before a final decision is taken. A Member may appeal the Board’s decision in writing to the Chief Executive within 14 days of being notified of the decision, and the Chief Executive’s determination on appeal shall be final. This process does not apply to actions under (a) or (b), which may be taken summarily, nor does it prevent the Chamber from taking immediate interim action (including exclusion from a specific event) where it considers, acting reasonably, that such action is necessary to protect the safety, welfare or legitimate interests of its staff, Members or guests.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The conduct expected from all Members of the Chamber is as follows:
- To endeavour to engage with the benefits and services offered by the Chamber as frequently as possible or practicable to seek to ensure that the full value of membership is derived, and to pay membership and any service-related fees promptly.
- To maintain the highest standards of conduct whenengaging in Chamber events and activities in a professional and dignified manner, acting with integrity and respect when interacting with Chamber invitees and guests, other Members and their guests and Chamber staff, and the general public.
- Not to publicly speak or to comment on behalf of the Chamber (or to hold itself out as having authority to do so) unless specifically and previously requested or instructed or otherwise having obtained prior written consent to do so from the Chief Executive or from the Board.
- Not to act in such a way that the Board deems, in the Board’s reasonable opinion, to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests or reputation of the Chamber, save that nothing in this clause is intended to prevent a Member from raising concerns or making good-faith criticism of the Chamber through the Chamber’s complaints procedure or other legitimate channels.
- To respect and comply with reasonable requests or directions given by Chamber staff, office bearers or third parties – for example, at Chamber events and not to act in such a way at any Chamber event or activity that would be likely to cause injury or harm to self or to others.
- To respect the confidentiality requirements and privacy policies of the Chamber, and any confidentiality requirements requested to be observed by Members, Chamber invitees, and other guests in relation to any Chamber events or activities.
- To respect the rights of Chamber staff, office bearers, Members and non-member participants to enjoy a safe environment when working for, or attending or participating in events, meetings or activities hosted or facilitated by the Chamber, free from harassment, abuse or discrimination and, in particular, not to use threatening behaviour towards nor harass any member of Chamber staff or any Member, invitee, guest or other non-member participant.
- To ensure that communication with Chamber employees, office bearers and Members is measured, reasonable and professional and devoid of any comments against any of them which are of a personal nature.
- Not to issue or publish – whether via email, phone, SMS/messaging, social media or similar platform – any malicious, inflammatory, defamatory, abusive or threatening messages or statements in relation to the Chamber or its Members, invitees or guests.
- Members and other attendees may be photographed or recorded at Chamber events and meetings for use in Chamber media. Where photography or recording is taking place, the Chamber will identify this at the point of booking (where practicable) and through signage or an announcement at the event. Attendees who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should inform the event organiser before the event or the photographer at the event, and the Chamber will take reasonable steps to respect that preference. The Chamber’s processing of images and recordings is carried out in accordance with its Privacy Policy.
- The Chamber reserves the right to instruct members not to take recordings or photographs when participating in specific events (or in other activities run or coordinated by the Chamber) whether online or in person.
- To act in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations governing any activities undertaken by them as a Member of the Chamber.
- To abide by the Chamber’s Articles of Association and any rules, codes, conflict of interest guidelines, by-laws or other policies as may be issued by the Chamber from time to time, together with any updates thereto.
PRIVACY, CONDUCT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND USE OF TRADEMARKS
As a member of the Chamber, the Member will gain access to various reports and research, to individual contact details and to other confidential information which should be dealt with in accordance with our Privacy Policy which is available on the Chamber’s website.
In being a Member, you also agree:
- To comply with all relevant data protection laws, rules and regulations and not to share personal information to any third party without prior consent of that individual.
- Not to share commissioned research and reports or other intellectual property without the prior written consent of the Chamber.
- Not to spam or use any information in a manner that may be deemed inappropriate or harmful to the Chamber and/or its reputation.
- That should you wish to share information that you may feel is relevant to all or certain members, please liaise with the marketing team in the first instance to discuss an appropriate approach.
The Member shall comply with the Chamber’s rules in respect of Trademark rights, whether registered or unregistered, together with all similar or equivalent intellectual property rights or forms of protection, and will only use such materials for so long as the Member is in membership of the Chamber.
DISCLAIMER
South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organisation. Although the Chamber expects its members to abide by the code of conduct of the Chamber, it does not guarantee or take responsibility for the products or services offered by member organisations. Inclusion in any directory, website or publication maintained by the Chamber is not an endorsement or recommendation of a Member. The Chamber is not a party to, and accepts no responsibility or liability in respect of, any dealings, disputes or losses arising between Members or between a Member and a third party. Any content, training, events or publications provided by the Chamber are offered on an as-is basis and, other than as expressly set out in writing, the Chamber makes no warranties, express or implied, as to their accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Chamber’s total liability to any Member in any membership year, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall be limited to the amount of membership fees paid by that Member in that year. Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by the Chamber’s negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.
UPDATES TO THIS CODE
These Terms and Conditions (including this Code) may be amended from time to time. For material changes, the Chamber will notify current Members directly by email at least 30 days before the change takes effect, and a Member who does not wish to accept the change may terminate their membership by giving written notice to the Finance Department before the change takes effect, in which case no further fees will be payable in respect of any period after termination. The current version is published at www.sccci.co.uk
COMPLAINTS
Any person may raise a formal complaint under the Chamber’s complaints procedure, which is available on the Chamber’s website or on request from the Chief Executive. The Chamber will acknowledge complaints within a reasonable period and will handle them fairly and confidentially.
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
These Terms and 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. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Terms and Conditions, together with the Chamber’s Articles of Association, Privacy Policy and any policies issued by the Chamber from time to time, constitute the entire agreement between the Chamber and the Member in relation to membership and supersede any prior agreement, understanding or representation on that subject matter.
CHAMBER DETAILS
The Chamber trades as South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. The contracting legal entity is South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. Company number and registered office details are available on request from the Chamber or on the Companies House register. “North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce” is a trading name of the same legal entity.
DATE: 01/04/26