Trader Terms and Conditions
1. Trading/Accounting Periods
We run in 4-weekly periods. Period dates will be available on the traders page of our website.
Please ensure your rent is settled promptly by the due date. Standing order mandates are available in the office, and payment is only acceptable by way of standing order.
2. Services
Your rent includes the following services provided by PLE:
· Administration services, including customer service specifically for traders.
· Payments for sales
· Invoices and receipts for rent
· Statements of sales
· Till staff to process your sales
Any additional services required may be directly deducted from trader revenues.
3. Deposits
Before moving into the Emporium you are required to pay a deposit equalling 4 weeks rent of your desired pitch size (if it has not already been paid for the waiting list) and then your first 4 week rent in advance. This deposit then becomes your last 4 week rent with us. When giving your 4 week notice to leave the deposit comes in to effect. The four week notice period starts from our next rent due date.
4. Vacating pitches
You are required to give a full period's notice (4 weeks correlating to our pitch terms), if you wish to vacate your pitch. This must be made in writing by email or hand, before the next period starts, in which your deposit will then be used. No refunds of deposits or rent will be made in the event you chose to move out prior to this notice period. All items must be removed from your pitch, and swept and cleared, by 5pm on the Friday which marks the end of the period. Failure to do so or any extra services required by PLE to aid in this will incur extra charges. These charges will be deducted from your final payment.
5. Unpaid rent
In the event that rent is not paid on time, any sales money that is due to you will be withheld until payment is made. Money owed to you will then be paid on the next payment day. We cannot use trader payments towards rent due to them being kept in separate accounts. We have the right to seize goods if the trader refuses to pay rent for space they have used in order to claim back lost revenue. Court action will also be pursued in this event.
6. Overpayment of rent
In the event that after leaving the emporium you fail to cancel your standing order (we have no authority to do this for you) and continue to pay rent, please cancel your standing order as soon as you realise and notify administration. Any overpayment may be returned to you but will have a deduction per overpayment to cover banking and admin costs.
7. Trader sales payments
Please see the traders page on our website for trader sales payment dates.
Please allow up to 5 working days for bank clearing.
8. Statements
Your statement will be automatically emailed to you every 2 weeks after you have received your trader payment which itemises your sales and payments. Deductions for bank charges (1% per sale), commission costs (15% if applicable) will be clearly noted.
9. Trading Standards
Please ensure your goods meet trading standards conditions. We have a zero tolerance on alcohol and weaponry. Anything found not to meet trading standards will be removed from your pitch and you will be notified. ALL food items must have all ingredients and allergens listed on each individual item to comply with the food standards agency. Anything found not complying will be removed from your pitch.
10. Insurance
Insuring your pitch is recommended and covering yourself for public liability. We, as Petticoat Lane Emporium Ltd, have public liability insurance and all goods within the premises are insured whilst it is secured. Nothing is insured during trading hours (i.e. theft).
11. Pitch Space
All rents refer to floor space only. Cabinets and tables are not provided. Pitch holders may paint and furnish their pitches as they desire. Partitions may be erected up to 4 feet high, with a trellis up to 6ft. Please get permission from the trader if using/pinning anything to someone else's pitch divider. Please note; all fixed partitions become part of the fabric of the building and cannot be removed when vacating, so do not spend more than you are prepared to leave behind.
Lockable cabinets are not permitted on individual pitches. This is due to the amount of time spent opening cabinets for customers. Open or unlocked cabinets are permitted. If you have high priced items we have other options available. PLE have a commission cabinet at the front desk for high-priced items at a 15% commissioned price when sold. We also have the option of hiring a single shelf in one of our own cabinets, with no commission, for £8.75 per week. Please ask for details.
12. Parking
There is on-site parking at the rear of the building. If you require to bring large items in, or are a new tenant moving in, the roller-shutter door to the back of the building can be opened. Please ask at the till and the staff will open the door in order to pull your car in. A goods lift is available with staff supervision.
13. Sales Queries
Any queries regarding sales need to be raised by email to admin, with an explanation, a date range, the inventory, price and description so that this can be looked into.
14. Theft & Security
Whilst every effort is made to deter theft, Petticoat Lane Emporium Ltd accept no responsibility for the theft of any item(s) during open hours. Petty theft is best combated by deterrent. These include our comprehensive CCTV system, along with the use of visual monitors and signage to demonstrate to would be thieves that it is active. We have security gates with tags available for sale. We are also part of Folkestone FAPAC scheme and are in radio contact with local police and other shop keepers. Traders can assist with deterring petty theft by not enclosing pitches too tightly, and by not displaying loose high value small items. If you have any particular worries about specific items please see what options we offer under “Pitch Space”.
Security tags & labels are available on a rented basis from the emporium counter at 10p per tag or label. These can be easily fixed to your item and will activate the alarms in front of the counter/entrance/exit. When the item is purchased it will be removed and put back into circulation behind the till.
15. Opening times for traders
The Emporium front door will be unlocked at 10am. The front door will then be locked from 5pm, traders are welcome to stay in the emporium after this time to maintain pitches however please bear in mind that the doors will not be unlocked until 5.15pm. Please do not disturb the till staff during this time.
16. Administration
Administration is available Monday to Thursday by phone and email 10am to 4.30pm. For any admin requests please email Canis at: petticoatfolkestone@hotmail.com or phone / text: 07407167426
17. Advertising
We at Petticoat Folkestone have a marketing manager but we also encourage our traders to promote the business as a whole along with their own pitch promotions.
We have a large following on Facebook and Instagram. You can tag us using @petticoatemporiumfolkestone.
Our Emporium in Ramsgate has been featured many times on BBC’s Money for nothing and Antiques road trip, we will be inviting them to film in Folkestone Emporium in the future.
We also promote the business via local radio stations and news outlets.
Terms and Conditions will and can be updated at the discretion of the directors. Please check regularly for updates. Tenants are bound by any changes, including rents and subsequent charges, as stated in the newest terms and conditions.
By signing, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in this document.