Website terms & project principles
Last updated: 17 August 2026
These are the general website and project terms. A particular website may need a separate written agreement if it involves extra paid services, third-party software, e-commerce, bookings or other material obligations.
1. About Discover Shirley
Discover Shirley is a local initiative intended to support independent businesses, community groups and local projects in Shirley and surrounding areas. Information on this website describes the general approach; individual arrangements can differ where we agree that in writing.
2. The £10/month business contribution
For the standard independent-business offer, Discover Shirley contributes the initial planning, design and build work. The participating business contributes £10/month towards ongoing hosting/technical costs, reasonable small content changes, maintenance and the wider Discover Shirley project.
The monthly contribution does not include unlimited design or development. Major redesigns, complex new functionality, e-commerce, substantial booking systems, significant content production or third-party paid services may require a separate agreement or contribution.
3. Domains and subdomains
A Discover Shirley subdomain can be included, for example yourbusiness.discovershirley.co.uk. Discover Shirley retains control of the discovershirley.co.uk domain and its subdomains, so a subdomain cannot be transferred away.
If a participant wants its own domain, the purchase and renewal cost is separate. Ownership/registration details for that domain should be agreed clearly when it is set up.
4. Leaving Discover Shirley
We do not want unnecessary lock-in. A business using its own domain may move away and continue using a transferable copy of the website we built, where technically practical. Discover Shirley branding, the Discover Shirley subdomain and third-party assets or software whose licences prevent transfer are excluded.
If monthly contributions stop without explanation and we cannot resolve the situation, we may suspend the website after reasonable notice. The participant can still ask about transferring an eligible copy of the site to its own hosting.
5. Content supplied by participants
A participant is responsible for ensuring that the text, photographs, logos, claims, prices and other material it supplies are accurate and that it has the right to use them. We may refuse or remove material that appears unlawful, misleading, infringing, unsafe or inconsistent with the community purpose of the project.
6. Search engines and business results
We can build websites using sound technical and content practices for discoverability, but we cannot guarantee Google rankings, visitor numbers, enquiries, revenue or other business results. Search engines and online platforms are controlled by third parties and change over time.
7. Availability and technical changes
We aim to keep supported sites available and maintained, but no website can be guaranteed to be uninterrupted at all times. Hosting providers, domain systems, browsers, security updates and third-party services can fail or change. We will take reasonable steps to resolve issues within the scope of the arrangement.
8. Community and no-budget support
Discover Shirley may waive the standard contribution for community, cultural or non-profit projects with no meaningful budget, and may temporarily support new ventures that cannot yet contribute. Decisions are made case by case through a conversation and can be reviewed if circumstances change.
9. Eligibility and discretion
The standard offer is intended for lawful independent local businesses in Shirley and surrounding areas. Discover Shirley may refuse a project that falls outside the area or purpose, presents legal or reputational concerns, or would require resources beyond what the initiative can reasonably provide.
10. Contact
Questions about these terms can be sent to info@discovershirley.co.uk.