Legal notice

Legal Notice, Terms & Conditions, Delivery, Returns, Privacy & Cookie Policy

Last Updated: October 2026

1. Website Ownership

This website is owned and operated by The Cheese Hamlet, a partnership trading from:

The Cheese Hamlet
706 Wilmslow Road
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 2DW
United Kingdom

Telephone: 0161 434 4781
Email: sales@cheesehamlet.co.uk
VAT Registration Number: 147 3881 43

Throughout this website, the terms "we", "our", and "us" refer to The Cheese Hamlet.

2. Use of This Website

By accessing and using this website, you agree to comply with these terms and all applicable laws and regulations.

You must not:

  • Use this website for any unlawful purpose.
  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the website or associated systems.
  • Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful technologies.
  • Interfere with the operation or security of the website.
  • Copy or reproduce website content without permission.

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate access to the website without notice where misuse is suspected.

3. Product Information

We endeavour to ensure that all product descriptions, photographs, weights, prices, and other information displayed on the website are accurate.

As many of our cheeses and fine food products are handmade and naturally matured, variations in appearance, texture, flavour, colour, and weight may occur.

All weights are approximate unless otherwise stated.

Images are provided for illustration purposes only.

4. Ordering

When you place an order through our website, you are making an offer to purchase goods from The Cheese Hamlet.

An order is not legally binding until it has been accepted by us and dispatched.

We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order where:

  • Products are unavailable.
  • A pricing error has occurred.
  • Fraudulent activity is suspected.
  • Delivery restrictions apply.
  • We are unable to fulfil the order for operational reasons.

5. Pricing and Payment

All prices are displayed in Pounds Sterling (£).

Prices include VAT where applicable.

Delivery charges are displayed at checkout before payment is completed.

Payment must be received in full before goods are dispatched.

We reserve the right to change prices without notice.

6. Delivery Policy

Delivery Areas

We currently deliver to addresses within mainland United Kingdom unless otherwise stated.

Certain remote or offshore postcodes may be subject to additional charges or delivery restrictions.

Fresh Food Deliveries

Cheese and perishable products are dispatched using packaging designed to help maintain product quality during transit.

Delivery dates are estimates and cannot be guaranteed unless specifically agreed in writing.

Customers should ensure that someone is available to receive deliveries where appropriate.

Temperature-Controlled Deliveries

We take great care to ensure that all cheese and perishable products are packed using insulated packaging and cooling materials where appropriate to help maintain product quality during transit.

Our cheeses are selected, packed, and dispatched as fresh as possible. As cheese is a natural product, it may arrive slightly warm, soft, or mature differently depending on seasonal temperatures, weather conditions, and courier transit times. This does not necessarily indicate that the product is unsafe, spoiled, or of reduced quality.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that deliveries can be received promptly. Upon receipt, all chilled and perishable products should be unpacked and refrigerated as soon as reasonably possible.

We cannot accept responsibility for any deterioration in product quality resulting from:

  • Deliveries being left unattended at the customer's request.
  • Delays in unpacking and refrigerating products after delivery.
  • Incorrect delivery addresses supplied by the customer.
  • Failed delivery attempts where the recipient is unavailable.

If you believe your order has arrived in an unsatisfactory condition, you must contact us within 24 hours of delivery by emailing sales@cheesehamlet.co.uk and provide photographs of the products and packaging.

Delays Beyond Our Control

We shall not be liable for delivery delays caused by:

  • Courier failures.
  • Severe weather conditions.
  • Industrial action.
  • Transport disruption.
  • Events outside our reasonable control.

Failed Deliveries

If delivery cannot be completed because of an incorrect address, unavailable recipient, restricted access, or insufficient delivery information, additional delivery charges may apply.

We cannot guarantee replacement of perishable products in these circumstances.

7. Storage and Food Safety

Customers should inspect their order immediately upon receipt.

All chilled products should be refrigerated promptly and stored in accordance with any storage instructions supplied.

We cannot accept responsibility for products that deteriorate due to:

  • Improper storage.
  • Failure to refrigerate promptly.
  • Products being left unattended after delivery.
  • Consumption after the stated use-by date.

8. Allergen Policy

Important Notice

Our products may contain or be prepared in environments where the following allergens are present:

  • Milk
  • Nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Gluten
  • Eggs
  • Mustard
  • Sesame
  • Sulphites
  • Celery
  • Other regulated allergens

Whilst we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of allergen cross-contamination.

Customer Responsibility

Customers with allergies, intolerances, or dietary concerns should contact us before ordering if additional ingredient or allergen information is required.

Ingredient information may occasionally change due to supplier updates.

If you have a severe food allergy, we strongly recommend contacting us before placing an order.

Medical Disclaimer

Information provided on this website is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice.

9. Returns and Refunds Policy

Perishable Goods

Cheese and other fresh food products are perishable items.

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, perishable goods are exempt from standard cancellation rights.

For this reason, we cannot accept returns of perishable goods simply because you have changed your mind.

Damaged or Incorrect Goods

Customers must inspect orders immediately upon delivery.

Claims relating to damaged, missing, incorrect, or unsatisfactory products must be reported within 24 hours of receipt.

We may request:

  • Photographs of the product.
  • Photographs of packaging.
  • Batch details where available.
  • A description of the issue.

Following investigation, we may offer:

  • Replacement goods.
  • A partial refund.
  • A full refund.

The remedy offered will depend on the circumstances of the claim.

Non-Perishable Goods

Unused, unopened non-perishable products may be returned within 14 days of delivery subject to prior authorisation.

Returned products must be:

  • Unused.
  • In original packaging.
  • In resaleable condition.

Return postage costs are the responsibility of the customer unless goods are faulty.

10. Age Restricted Products and Alcohol Sales

Sale of Alcohol

Certain products offered by The Cheese Hamlet may contain alcohol, including but not limited to wines, beers, ciders, spirits, ports, liqueurs, and gift hampers containing alcoholic beverages.

By placing an order for any alcohol-containing product, you confirm that:

  • You are aged 18 years or over.
  • You are legally entitled to purchase alcohol in the United Kingdom.
  • The recipient of the alcohol, where different from the purchaser, is also aged 18 years or over.

It is a criminal offence for persons under the age of 18 to purchase, attempt to purchase, or receive alcohol on behalf of another person.

Age Verification

The Cheese Hamlet operates a strict Challenge 25 policy.

We reserve the right to:

  • Verify the age of customers before accepting an order.
  • Require proof of age before dispatch.
  • Conduct electronic age verification checks using third-party services.
  • Refuse or cancel any order where satisfactory proof of age cannot be provided.

Acceptable forms of identification may include:

  • Passport
  • UK Photocard Driving Licence
  • PASS-approved Proof of Age Card

Delivery of Alcohol

Alcoholic products may only be delivered to persons aged 18 years or over.

Our delivery partners may request proof of age upon delivery where they believe the recipient may be under 25 years of age.

If suitable identification cannot be produced:

  • Delivery may be refused.
  • Alcohol may be returned to us.
  • A refund may be issued less any applicable delivery and return charges.

Mixed Orders

Where an order contains both alcohol and non-alcohol products, the entire order may be withheld if age verification requirements are not satisfied.

Corporate Gifts

Customers purchasing alcoholic products for corporate gifts, hampers, or third-party recipients are responsible for ensuring that recipients are at least 18 years of age.

The Cheese Hamlet accepts no liability where alcohol is supplied by the purchaser to persons under the legal drinking age.

Licensing Compliance

The Cheese Hamlet will comply with all applicable licensing laws and reserves the right to refuse any sale that may result in a breach of licensing legislation or regulatory requirements.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including:

  • Text
  • Product descriptions
  • Photography
  • Graphics
  • Logos
  • Branding
  • Layout and design

is the property of The Cheese Hamlet or its licensors and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

No content may be copied, reproduced, published, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Cheese Hamlet shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special losses arising from:

  • Use of this website.
  • Inability to use this website.
  • Reliance on content displayed on this website.
  • Delivery delays caused by third parties.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability for:

  • Death or personal injury caused by negligence.
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
  • Any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

12. External Links

This website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties.

These links are provided for convenience only.

We have no control over and accept no responsibility for the content, security, or privacy practices of third-party websites.

13. Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

We may collect:

  • Name
  • Billing address
  • Delivery address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Order history
  • Correspondence
  • Website usage information

Payment card information is processed securely by third-party payment providers and is not stored by us.

How We Use Information

We use personal data to:

  • Process orders.
  • Provide customer support.
  • Arrange deliveries.
  • Prevent fraud.
  • Meet legal obligations.
  • Send marketing communications where consent has been given.

Data Retention

Personal information will be retained only for as long as necessary for legal, accounting, taxation, and operational purposes.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you may have the right to:

  • Access your personal data.
  • Correct inaccurate information.
  • Request deletion of data.
  • Restrict processing.
  • Object to processing.
  • Request data portability.

Requests should be directed to:

sales@cheesehamlet.co.uk

14. Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website.

They help improve website functionality, user experience, and website performance.

Types of Cookies Used

Essential Cookies

Required for:

  • Shopping basket functionality.
  • Checkout services.
  • Security features.
  • Website operation.

Analytics Cookies

Used to understand visitor behaviour and improve our services.

Examples may include:

  • Google Analytics
  • Microsoft Clarity

Marketing Cookies

Used only where consent has been provided to help measure advertising effectiveness and deliver relevant advertising.

Managing Cookies

Cookie preferences can be controlled through:

  • Website cookie settings.
  • Browser settings.

Disabling certain cookies may affect website performance and functionality.

15. Governing Law

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from these terms or the use of this website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Contact Information

For all customer service, legal, privacy, delivery, product, or complaint enquiries:

The Cheese Hamlet
706 Wilmslow Road
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 2DW
United Kingdom

Telephone: 0161 434 4781
Email: sales@cheesehamlet.co.uk
VAT Registration Number: 147 3881 43