POPULAR COLLECTIONS
MERCHANT & MILLS
Terms and Conditions
merchantandmills.com — Effective from March 2026
Please read these terms carefully before placing an order or making a booking.
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of merchantandmills.com and apply to all purchases of products, digital content, classes, retreats, and venue hire made through our website or in our Rye shop. By placing an order or making a booking you agree to be bound by these terms.
1. About Us
Merchant & Mills Limited is a fabric, sewing pattern, haberdashery, and lifestyle retailer. We operate online at merchantandmills.com and through our physical shop and sewing school at 14a Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT.
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Company details |
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Registered name |
Merchant & Mills Limited |
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Company number |
07559928 |
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Registered address |
Unit 7-9, Rye Industrial Park, Harbour Road, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7TE |
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VAT number |
GB116111272 |
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Trading address |
14a Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT |
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sales@merchantandmills.com |
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Phone |
+44 (0)1797 227789 |
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Website |
www.merchantandmills.com |
2. Scope of These Terms
These terms apply to all contracts formed between you and Merchant & Mills for the purchase of:
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Physical goods — including fabric, sewing patterns, haberdashery, notions, books, homeware, and accessories ("Goods");
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Digital products — including downloadable sewing patterns and online sewing classes ("Digital Products");
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In-person sewing classes — non-residential day or half-day classes held at our Rye studio ("Classes");
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Residential sewing retreats — multi-night retreats including accommodation at The Grove, Rye ("Retreats");
Separate terms apply to our wholesale customers at wholesale.merchantandmills.com. These Terms and Conditions do not apply to wholesale transactions.
These terms are governed by English law. If you are a consumer based in the United Kingdom, you have additional statutory rights which these terms do not seek to limit or exclude.
3. Placing an Order
3.1 How contracts are formed
Online orders: A contract is formed between you and us when we send you an order confirmation email. This is the point at which we accept your order. Acknowledgement emails received before this point do not constitute acceptance.
In-store purchases: A contract is formed when we confirm that we are able to supply the goods to you and accept payment.
Classes and Retreats: A contract is formed when we send written confirmation of your booking and receive the required deposit or full payment.
3.2 When we may decline your order
We reserve the right to decline or cancel any order before dispatch in the following circumstances:
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The product is out of stock or has been discontinued.
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We have been unable to obtain payment authorisation.
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We have identified a pricing or product description error.
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The order is for a PDF pattern that appears to be for resale, and you do not hold a wholesale account.
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We are unable to deliver to your specified address.
If we decline your order we will inform you promptly and issue a full refund of any payment made.
3.3 Order numbers
We will assign an order reference number to each order. Please quote this in any correspondence with us about your order.
4. Prices, VAT, and Payment
4.1 Pricing
All prices are shown inclusive of UK VAT where applicable at the prevailing rate. Prices are shown in your chosen currency based on your selected location. We take reasonable care to ensure prices are correct, but errors may occasionally occur.
4.2 Pricing errors
If we discover a pricing error after accepting your order we will contact you. You may choose to proceed at the correct price or cancel the order for a full refund. We are not obliged to supply goods at an incorrect price where the error was obvious and could reasonably have been identified as a mispricing.
4.3 VAT changes
If the rate of VAT changes between your order date and the date we supply the goods, we will adjust the VAT amount accordingly unless you have already paid in full before the change takes effect.
4.4 International orders — duties and taxes
For orders delivered outside the UK, you may be liable for import duties, customs charges, or local taxes imposed by your country. These charges are your responsibility and are not included in our prices or delivery charges unless explicitly stated at checkout. For customers in the United States, applicable duties are shown separately at checkout and collected at the point of purchase.
4.5 Payment
Payment is required in full before goods are dispatched. We accept payment by credit card, debit card, and other methods shown at checkout. All online transactions are processed securely through Shopify Pay. We do not store your card details.
For Classes, a deposit may be required at the time of booking with the balance due by a specified date. For Retreats, a deposit is required at booking with the full balance due no later than 8 weeks before the retreat start date. For Venue Hire, a deposit is required at booking with the full balance due 4 weeks before the hire date. Specific payment terms will be confirmed in your booking confirmation.
5. Physical Goods — Fabric, Patterns, Haberdashery and Homeware
5.1 Product descriptions
We make every effort to display our products accurately, including colour, texture, drape, and weight. However, colours may appear differently on different screens or devices, and fabric characteristics may vary slightly between batches. We strongly recommend ordering a sample before committing to larger yardage.
Measurements shown on our website may have a slight variation. Washing and care instructions should be checked carefully before cutting and making.
5.2 Cut fabric — bespoke items
All cut lengths of fabric are made to your specific measurements and are treated as bespoke items. Cut fabric cannot be returned or exchanged unless it is faulty. This is consistent with your statutory rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, which excludes bespoke items from the right to cancel.
We always recommend ordering a fabric sample before purchasing meterage. Samples are available on our website.
5.3 Fabric quality
We inspect fabric carefully before dispatch. Occasionally a flaw may slip through. Please inspect your fabric before washing or cutting. If you find a fault, please email a photograph to sales@merchantandmills.com within 14 days of receipt and we will arrange a replacement or refund.
5.4 Paper sewing patterns
Paper sewing patterns come in two size ranges; UK 8-18 & UK 18-28 and printed to a finished standard. They cannot be returned once opened unless faulty, as they are considered sealed goods which have been unsealed after delivery.
5.5 Haberdashery, notions, homeware, and accessories
These items may be returned in accordance with section 911 of these terms, provided they are unused and in their original, resalable condition.
5.6 Books
Books may be returned in accordance with section 911, provided they are in an undamaged, resalable condition.
6. Digital Products — Downloadable Patterns and Online Classes
6.1 Downloadable sewing patterns
Downloadable PDF patterns are available for immediate download on completion of purchase. By placing an order for a downloadable pattern you acknowledge and agree that:
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The download is made available to you immediately on purchase.
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Your right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply once the download has commenced, as you will have expressly requested immediate delivery of the digital content.
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Digital patterns are therefore non-refundable once downloaded.
If you have purchased a digital pattern in error and have not yet downloaded it, please contact us at sales@merchantandmills.com as soon as possible and we may be able to offer an exchange at our discretion.
6.2 Online sewing classes
Our online classes are pre-recorded video tutorials available for purchase and viewing at any time. On purchase you will receive lifetime access to the class content.
The same cancellation terms apply as for downloadable patterns — once you have accessed the class content, the right to cancel does not apply. If you have not yet accessed the content following purchase, please contact us promptly.
6.3 Intellectual property
All digital content — including patterns, class videos, and tutorial materials — is the intellectual property of Merchant & Mills Limited and is protected by copyright. You are granted a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the content for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce, redistribute, resell, share, or publish any part of our digital content without our written permission.
7. In-Person Sewing Classes
7.1 Booking and payment
Classes are held at our sewing studio above the shop at 14a Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex. Bookings are made via our website. Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise stated.
7.2 Cancellation by you
If you need to cancel a class booking, the following terms apply:
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Cancellation more than 28 days before the class date: full refund, less any non-recoverable costs.
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Cancellation 14 to 28 days before the class date: 50% refund.
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Cancellation fewer than 14 days before the class date: no refund, unless we are able to fill your place, in which case a full refund will be made.
We will always try to find a replacement for your place. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to transfer your booking to another person provided you notify us in advance.
7.3 Cancellation or change by us
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a class where necessary — for example due to insufficient bookings, tutor illness, or circumstances beyond our control. In such cases we will give you as much notice as possible and offer either a full refund or a transfer to an alternative date.
7.4 What to bring
Details of what to bring and any materials required will be confirmed in your booking confirmation email. Unless otherwise stated, materials and equipment are provided.
7.5 Health and safety
All participants must follow the health and safety guidance given by our tutors. We reserve the right to ask anyone who poses a risk to themselves or others to leave a class without refund.
8. Residential Sewing Retreats
8.1 Overview
Our residential sewing retreats are multi-night experiences combining sewing tuition with accommodation at The Grove, our Victorian townhouse at 4 The Grove, Rye, East Sussex. Retreats are led by experienced tutors and are suitable for all levels.
8.2 Booking and deposit
A non-refundable deposit (as stated on the retreat listing) is required to secure your place. The full balance is due no later than 8 weeks before the retreat start date. If the balance is not received by this date, Merchant & Mills reserves the right to cancel your booking and re-offer your place, retaining the deposit.
8.3 What is included
Unless stated otherwise in the retreat listing, the retreat price includes:
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Accommodation at The Grove for the stated number of nights (single occupancy rooms).
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Sewing tuition from our experienced tutors during studio hours.
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Lunch on each tuition day, shared with the group.
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Welcome drinks on arrival.
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Access to all sewing machines and studio equipment.
Travel to and from Rye, evening meals, and personal expenses are not included unless specifically stated.
8.4 Cancellation by you
Given the nature of residential retreats, our cancellation policy is as follows:
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Cancellation more than 8 weeks before the start date: deposit is forfeited; balance (if paid) is refunded in full.
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Cancellation 4 to 8 weeks before the start date: 50% of the total retreat price is forfeited.
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Cancellation fewer than 4 weeks before the start date: the full retreat price is forfeited.
We strongly recommend taking out appropriate travel insurance to cover cancellation, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.
8.5 Cancellation by us
In the event that we must cancel a retreat — for example, due to insufficient bookings, significant property issues at The Grove, or force majeure — we will notify you as soon as possible and offer a full refund of all monies paid, or a transfer to an alternative date. We will not be liable for any travel or other costs you have incurred.
8.6 Accommodation — The Grove
The Grove is a Victorian residential property. All rooms are single occupancy and for retreat participants only. Guests must treat the property with care and respect. Any damage caused by a guest to the property or its contents may be charged to that guest. No smoking is permitted anywhere in the property. Pets are not permitted.
8.7 Health, accessibility, and dietary requirements
Please inform us of any relevant health conditions, accessibility requirements, or dietary needs at the time of booking. We will do our best to accommodate all reasonable requirements, but we cannot guarantee that all needs can be met. We reserve the right to decline a booking if we are unable to safely accommodate a participant's requirements.
9. Venue Hire
9.1 Overview
Our studio space at 14a Tower Street, Rye, may be hired privately outside of scheduled Classes, for workshops, private groups, photography, or similar uses.
9.2 Booking and deposit
A deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your chosen date, with the full balance due no later than 4 weeks before the hire date, in accordance with section 4.5. If the balance is not received by this date, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and release the date to another hirer.
9.3 What is included
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Venue Hire includes exclusive use of the studio space for the agreed hire period and access to the furniture and equipment ordinarily kept in the space. It does not include catering, sewing machines or haberdashery materials, tutor time, or additional equipment, unless specifically agreed and stated in your booking confirmation.
9.4 Cancellation by you
If you need to cancel a Venue Hire booking, the following terms apply:
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Cancellation more than 4 weeks before the hire date: the balance (if paid) is refunded in full; the deposit is non-refundable.
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Cancellation fewer than 4 weeks before the hire date: no refund, unless we are able to re-let the space for the same date, in which case a full refund will be made.
9.5 Cancellation or change by us
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a Venue Hire booking where necessary — for example due to unforeseen building or safety issues, or circumstances beyond our control. In such cases we will give as much notice as possible and offer a full refund or a transfer to an alternative date.
9.6 Use of the space
You are responsible for the conduct of your guests or attendees while using the space. The space must be left in the condition in which it was found, and any damage caused during your hire period may be charged to you. No smoking is permitted anywhere on the premises.
10. Delivery of Physical Goods
10.1 Delivery charges
Delivery charges are displayed at checkout and depend on your location and the size of your order. Charges are confirmed before you complete your purchase.
10.2 Delivery times
We aim to dispatch orders within the timeframe shown on our website, which is typically within 2-5 working days. Estimated delivery times are given in good faith but are not guaranteed. We will not be liable for delays caused by circumstances outside our control, including carrier delays or customs processing.
We do not dispatch to PO box addresses.
10.3 Delivery address
Your order will be dispatched to the shipping address you provide at checkout. Please ensure this is accurate — we are not responsible for lost or undelivered parcels resulting from an incorrect address. If a parcel is returned to us due to an address error, we will contact you, and re-delivery will be charged at the standard rate.
10.4 International delivery
We ship internationally. International orders may be subject to customs inspections and delays. Import duties, taxes, and handling fees are payable by the recipient (unless collected at checkout as described in section 4.4). We cannot be held responsible for delays or costs arising from customs processes.
10.5 Fabric on a roll
All fabric is dispatched folded by default. If you require fabric dispatched on a roll, an additional charge applies. Please add a note at checkout or contact us before ordering.
10.6 Risk and ownership
Risk in the goods passes to you on delivery. Ownership of the goods passes to you on receipt of payment in full.
10.7 Failed delivery
If delivery is attempted and no one is available, our carrier will leave a notification card. If you do not rearrange delivery or collect within the carrier's timeframe, the parcel may be returned to us. We will contact you in this event. A re-delivery charge may apply.
11. Returns, Cancellations, and Refunds
11.1 Your statutory rights
Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under UK law, including under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
11.2 Right to cancel — online and telephone orders
For most goods purchased online or by telephone, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of receiving your order (the "cooling-off period") without giving a reason. This right does not apply to:
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Cut lengths of fabric — these are bespoke items made to your specific measurements.
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Downloadable digital patterns — once the download has commenced (see section 6.1).
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Online sewing classes — once you have accessed the content (see section 6.2).
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Sealed goods (such as paper sewing patterns) that have been unsealed after delivery.
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Goods that have been used or are not in a resalable condition.
11.3 How to cancel — online and telephone orders
To exercise your right to cancel, please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order:
Email: sales@merchantandmills.com
Phone: +44 (0)1797 227789
You must then return the goods to us within 14 days of notifying us of your cancellation. Return postage is at your cost unless the goods are faulty or misdescribed. We recommend using a tracked service and obtaining proof of postage.
11.4 In-store purchases
For goods purchased in store:
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Full-price non-bespoke items may be returned within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, provided you have a valid receipt and the item is unused and in its original condition.
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Items returned within 28 days of purchase (at full price) may be exchanged.
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Items purchased at a discount or marked as sale cannot be returned or exchanged unless faulty.
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Cut fabric cannot be returned as it is bespoke.
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In-store returns must be made in person — we do not accept returns by post for in-store purchases.
11.5 Faulty or misdescribed goods
If any goods are faulty or not as described, please contact us as soon as possible. You are entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund, in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015. For fabric faults, please inspect your fabric before washing or cutting and email a photograph to sales@merchantandmills.com. We may ask you to return the goods before issuing a refund or replacement.
11.6 Refund processing
Refunds will be made to your original payment method within 14 days of us receiving the returned goods or, if earlier, within 14 days of you providing proof of return. We may reduce a refund to reflect any reduction in value of the goods caused by your handling of them beyond what is necessary to inspect them.
11.7 Goodwill returns
In addition to your statutory rights, we operate a goodwill returns policy for eligible non-bespoke goods purchased online or by telephone: we will accept returns for exchange within 28 days of purchase, provided the item is unused and in resalable condition and you notify us in accordance with clause 11.3.
12. Summary of Your Key Legal Rights
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be:
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Of satisfactory quality — free from defects and fit for purpose.
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As described — matching any description given on our website or in-store.
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Fit for any particular purpose you made known to us.
If goods do not meet these standards:
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Within 30 days of purchase: you can reject the goods and receive a full refund.
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Between 30 days and 6 months: you are entitled to a repair or replacement in the first instance.
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After 6 months: you may still be entitled to a repair, replacement, or partial refund, but you will need to demonstrate the fault.
For further information on your rights, visit the Citizens Advice website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0808 800 5000.
13. Intellectual Property
All content on merchantandmills.com — including sewing patterns, designs, photographs, videos, tutorials, text, and trademarks — is the intellectual property of Merchant & Mills Limited or is used with permission. All rights are reserved.
You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, resell, or create derivative works from any of our content without our prior written consent. Personal, non-commercial use of our website content is permitted.
If you purchase a physical sewing pattern, you are granted a personal licence to make the garment for yourself or as a gift. You may not use our patterns for commercial production without a separate licence from us. Please contact us at sales@merchantandmills.com to discuss commercial licensing.
14. Website Use
14.1 Accuracy
We make every effort to keep the information on our website accurate and up to date. However, we do not warrant that all information is free from errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to correct any errors or update content at any time without notice.
14.2 Availability
We aim to keep our website available at all times but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. We will not be liable for any loss caused by temporary unavailability of the website.
14.3 Third-party links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or practices of those sites and do not endorse them. You access third-party websites at your own risk.
14.4 User content
If you submit content to us — for example via our 'Made by You' section or social media — you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, display, and share that content in connection with our business and marketing activities. You confirm that you own or have the right to submit any content you provide.
15. Our Liability
15.1 What we are responsible for
We are responsible to you for foreseeable loss or damage caused by our failure to comply with these terms or our failure to use reasonable care and skill. Loss or damage is foreseeable if it is obvious it will happen or if, at the time of contracting, both parties knew it might happen.
15.2 What we are not responsible for
We are not responsible for:
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Loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
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Loss or damage caused by events outside our reasonable control (see section 16).
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Business losses — we supply our products and services for domestic and personal use only. If you use them for commercial purposes we will have no liability for loss of profit, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
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Colour variation in fabrics due to screen display differences or natural batch variation.
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Loss or damage arising from your failure to inspect fabric before washing or cutting.
15.3 Cap on liability
Our total liability to you in connection with any order or booking shall not exceed the total amount paid by you for that order or booking.
15.4 Rights not excluded
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded by UK law.
16. Events Outside Our Control
We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these terms that is caused by events outside our reasonable control, including (but not limited to) severe weather, natural disasters, pandemic, national emergency, strikes, supply chain disruption, government action, or failure of third-party services.
If such an event occurs, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact. If the event prevents us from performing our obligations for more than 30 days, either party may end the contract and you will receive a refund for any goods or services not yet provided.
17. Privacy and Data Protection
We take your privacy seriously. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data and is available at merchantandmills.com. By purchasing from us or making a booking, you acknowledge that we will process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
18. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
18.1 Contacting us
If you have a complaint or are unhappy with any aspect of your order or experience, please contact us in the first instance:
Email: sales@merchantandmills.com
Phone: +44 (0)1797 227789
Post: 14a Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT
We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 working days and aim to resolve it within 10 working days.
18.2 Alternative dispute resolution
If we are unable to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you may refer it to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider. We suggest the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR):
Website: www.cedr.com/consumer
You also have the right to use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr, although as a UK business we are not obliged to use this service.
18.3 Legal proceedings
These terms are governed by English law. Any disputes that cannot be resolved through the above processes may be referred to the courts of England and Wales.
19. General
19.1 Entire agreement
These terms, together with any booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your order or booking. They supersede all previous discussions, representations, and agreements.
19.2 Severability
If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
19.3 No waiver
If we fail to enforce any provision of these terms on one occasion, this does not prevent us from enforcing it on a later occasion.
19.4 Third-party rights
These terms do not create any rights in favour of third parties. No third party may enforce any term of these terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
19.5 Changes to these terms
We reserve the right to amend these terms at any time. Changes will be posted on our website. The terms in force at the time you place your order or make your booking are the terms that apply to your contract with us.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by English law and apply to all contracts formed at merchantandmills.com.
We recommend these terms are reviewed by a UK solicitor before publication.
Merchant & Mills Limited — Company No. 07559928
Unit 7-9, Rye Industrial Park, Harbour Road, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7TE