Terms and Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to heyLOKAL. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our website and services. By accessing or using heyLOKAL, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use our services.

Definitions

Acceptance of Terms

• By creating an account or using our services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old
• You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• All information you provide is accurate and up-to-date

User Accounts

Account Creation

• You must provide accurate and complete information when creating an account
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• You must not share your account with others
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account

Account Responsibilities

• You are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• You must keep your account information current and accurate
• You may delete your account at any time through your account settings
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms

Our Services

For Customers

• Search and discover local businesses
• View business profiles, services, and reviews
• Book appointments and services
• Leave reviews and ratings
• Manage bookings and preferences

For Business Owners

• Create and manage business profiles
• List services and set availability
• Accept and manage bookings
• Process payments through integrated payment systems
• Access analytics and business insights
• Respond to customer reviews

User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

When using our platform, you agree not to:

Bookings and Payments

Booking Terms

• Bookings are subject to business availability and confirmation
• You must provide accurate information when making bookings
• Cancellation policies vary by business and will be clearly displayed
• No-shows may result in charges as determined by the business

Payment Processing

• Payments are processed securely through Stripe
• We do not store your payment card details
• All prices are displayed in British Pounds (£) including VAT where applicable
• Refunds are subject to the individual business's refund policy
• We may charge platform fees as disclosed during booking

Business Listings

Listing Requirements

• All business information must be accurate and current
• Businesses must be legally operating in the specified areas
• All required licenses and certifications must be valid
• Business profiles are subject to approval and review

Content Standards

• All images must be owned by you or used with permission
• Descriptions must be factual and not misleading
• Pricing information must be accurate and up-to-date
• Contact information must be current and responsive

Intellectual Property

Our Rights

The heyLOKAL platform, including its design, functionality, and content, is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute our platform without permission.

Your Content

You retain ownership of content you post on our platform. However, by posting content, you grant us a licence to use, display, and distribute that content in connection with our services.

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our use of your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Key Privacy Points

• We comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
• You have rights regarding your personal data
• We use cookies to improve your experience
• We do not sell your personal information

Disclaimers and Limitations

Service Availability

• We strive to maintain service availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access
• We may suspend services for maintenance or security reasons
• We are not responsible for third-party service disruptions

Third-Party Services

We act as a platform connecting customers with businesses. We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of services provided by businesses listed on our platform.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, heyLOKAL shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
• Actions or omissions of third-party service providers
• Technical failures or security breaches beyond our control
• Content posted by users on the platform

Our total liability to you for any claims shall not exceed the amount you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Termination

By You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using the account deletion feature in your settings.

By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or for any other reason with reasonable notice.

Effects of Termination

• Your access to the platform will be revoked
• Outstanding bookings may be cancelled
• Some data may be retained as required by law
• Certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication. If you have a complaint, please contact us at support@heylokal.com. We will make reasonable efforts to resolve issues amicably before pursuing formal legal proceedings.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. We will:

• Notify you of significant changes by email or platform notice
• Post the updated Terms on this page with a new "Last updated" date
• Give you reasonable time to review changes before they take effect
• Consider your continued use as acceptance of the updated Terms

Contact Information