House Rules
Patch House Rules
Welcome to Patch!
We’re delighted to have you join our community. These guidelines help us keep Patch welcoming, productive and inspiring for everyone. By joining us and using our spaces, you agree to follow these House Rules and our Member Terms. We’ll let you know if anything changes, so you’re always in the loop.
Being Part of the Patch Community
- Be Kind and Respectful
We’re all here to work, create, and support one another. Treat fellow members, visitors, and team members with courtesy and understanding. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behaviour isn’t part of who we are.
- Keep It Tidy
A little effort goes a long way. Please tidy up after yourself – return furniture and equipment to their places, wash your dishes, and help keep our shared areas clean and inviting.
- Mind the Volume
Keep noise levels reasonable. If you need a quieter spot, hop into a call booth or book a meeting room. We love a friendly buzz, but not a roar!
Membership, Access, and Security
- Accessing the Space
Your membership plan outlines when and how you can use Patch. Our Patch sites are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Check-In and Check-Out
Please check in (and out, if required) via tablet at the front desk. It’s a simple step that helps us manage occupancy and keep everyone safe. Forgot to check out? Let us know within 24 hours and we’ll do our best to roll back the clock, crediting your account if we can (not applicable on weekends).
- Guests and Visitors
You’re welcome to invite guests for up to 30 minutes in the coworking space for informal meetings and on an ad hoc basis. For anything beyond this, please book a private meeting room or pay for a Day Pass at £32+VAT. You must register their details as a guest at the front desk with the site team. For security reasons, guests shouldn’t roam about alone or stay beyond staffed hours unless we’ve agreed in advance.
Visitors in Bournemouth
Exploring a day with a guest? We’d love to host them! You’re welcome to catch up in our Market space for up to an hour. If they’re staying longer or need to work from the coworking area, they’ll just need a meeting room booking or a Day Pass. To keep things fair for everyone, visits over 60 minutes will automatically be charged as a Day Pass.
- Try our space out, on us!
Trial Days are a one-time introduction to Patch and can’t be repeated, shared or split into half days. To keep the momentum going after your Trial Day (worth £32+VAT), just grab a Day Pass (with a nod from the Site Director) or sign up for a membership which suits your working rhythm.
- Security and Credentials
Keep your digital keys, PINs, and codes to yourself. We use CCTV and other measures to keep Patch safe, so if you see anything concerning, let us know.
Balconies, Lifts, and Accessibility
- Balcony Use
We want you to enjoy our balcony spaces safely and comfortably. Please note that they are available during staffed hours only, as indicated at each site. For everyone’s safety, children under 12 and animals are not allowed on the balconies, and we ask that you refrain from smoking or using e-cigarettes. We kindly request that you observe the maximum capacity signs and keep the noise to a respectful level. Lastly, please look after your personal items, as Patch is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings.
- Lift Usage
Please don’t use the lift outside staffed hours. In emergencies – especially fires – take the stairs. Our team will guide you through any evacuation procedures.
- Accessibility and PEEPs
If you need assistance using the stairs or have specific evacuation needs, let us know. We’ll create a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) to ensure your safety.
Using Our Spaces and Facilities
- Kitchens
Label any food you store in the fridge, let us know if supplies run low, and keep things clean. When you book a meeting room, wrap up on time, leave it tidy, and enjoy the tea, coffee, and Wi-Fi.
- Clear desk policy
To help our cleaning team do their best work, we ask that you leave a clear desk (coworking spaces, Resident desks and in private offices) at the end of each day. Our team will look after the floors and surfaces, but they won't move personal items, food waste packaging, documents, or leftover crockery like mugs, glasses and plates. Please ensure all dirty crockery is placed in the dishwasher throughout the day and before you head home. Clearing your space ensures a fresh start for everyone and helps us maintain a professional environment.
- Meeting Rooms
To book a meeting room, use the Patch app on your phone or computer. Members can cancel for free up to 60 minutes before their booking, and their credits will be automatically returned. Cancellations made less than 60 minutes in advance are non-refundable. Guests who cancel 24 hours before their booking will receive a credit refund to use towards a future meeting room booking. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are non- refundable.
- Events at Patch
Hosting an event? Fantastic! Events should fit our community ethos, end by 9:30 pm or 10 pm (with everyone out by 10:00 pm/10:30 pm), depending on the site, and, if serving alcohol, have prior approval from us. Keep noise, capacity, and activities within reason. Members and non-members can receive a credit refund on their event space booking if they cancel at least 7 days before their event. You can use this credit for future venue hire at Patch. If you cancel less than 7 days in advance, your booking is non-refundable.
- Damages to meeting rooms and/or event spaces
We take pride in keeping our spaces in top shape for everyone. Please note that members and hirers are responsible for any damages or spillages (like carpet stains) that occur during their booking. Any professional cleaning or repair costs required to restore the room will be charged to your account. By paying your invoice(s), you agree to abide by our House Rules.
- No Smoking or Vaping Indoors
For everyone’s comfort, please don’t smoke or vape inside. We’ll direct you to an outdoor area if you need a break.
- No Overnight Stays
Patch is a workspace, not a hotel. Please don’t stay overnight or sleep on the premises. Maintaining a professional setting helps everyone feel at ease.
- Looking after your belongings
Keep an eye on your valuables. We can’t take responsibility for lost or stolen items, so treat your belongings as you would in any public space. Where a locker or lockable pedestal is included in your plan, please make use of these to store valuables.
- No Hazardous or Illegal Materials
Please don’t bring anything dangerous or unlawful – like flammables, illicit drugs, or weapons – onto the premises. Safety first, always.
- Photography and Filming
Snap happy? Great! But please ask permission before photographing or filming other people, their work, or private offices. Respecting privacy keeps our community trusting and comfortable.
- Deliveries and Storage
Expecting a big delivery or need to store something sizeable? Give us a heads-up. We want to keep communal areas clear and clutter-free.
- E-Bikes and E-Scooters
To ensure everyone's safety, we kindly ask that you do not charge or store e-bikes, e- scooters, or other electric transport devices in the building overnight.
- Environmental Responsibility
We’re all about sustainability. Please use recycling bins, minimise single-use plastics, and switch off lights and equipment when not in use.
- Dress code and professional atmosphere
Wear what feels right and respectful. There’s no strict dress code, just keep it appropriate for a shared professional environment.
- Day Pass Policy
Day Passes are designed for individual use. To keep our workspace rhythm balanced for everyone, Day Pass holders are unable to host multiple guests. Our site teams are here to help you get settled, but we cannot facilitate group arrivals or guest management for individual pass holders. Want to bring a guest on site? Give the Site Director a nod to get their prior approval.
Internet, IT, and Fair Usage
- Wi-Fi and Support
Connect up to 5 devices to our secure network with your details from the Patch app. If you need to connect more than 5 devices, please discuss this with the site team. Android users may need a security certificate – ask the Site Teams for these instructions. Need tech support? Raise a ticket at https://techsupport.patch.work/ or ask us.
- Fair Internet Use
Avoid hogging bandwidth or engaging in dodgy online activities. Illegal downloads, spam, or hacking attempts are a no-go.
- Printing
Printing is included in your membership plan (within our fair usage policy of 250 B&W and 20 colour sheets per month). Make sure you’re on the correct Wi-Fi, pick up your documents promptly, and let us know if the printer’s acting up.
Children, Dogs, and Other Users
- Children at Patch
We love seeing families in our Market space, especially with our dedicated kids' corner! Just a reminder that children (anyone under 18) must be supervised at all times and aren't permitted on the balconies or in any of the coworking areas, to keep the professional rhythm of the workspace.
- Dogs and Pets
We love having friendly, toilet-trained dogs on-site. Keep them on a lead in communal areas. In a private office, you can let them off-lead if the door is closed. Just ensure they stay off sofas and chairs, and don’t bother anyone.
Personalisation and Décor
- Office Décor
Make your private office yours with tasteful décor inside. Please avoid external signs, political banners, or advertising visible from outside. If you need electrical or structural changes, check with us first.
- Festive Decorations
Bringing seasonal cheer? Great! Just keep it safe, neat, and non-disruptive. Ask if you’re unsure.
Payments, Billing, Memberships
- Payments and Invoicing
Membership fees are typically invoiced at the start of each month, and due by the 4th. If you have any payment issues, let us know, and we’ll try to help.
- Pausing Your Membership
Some plans let you freeze your membership for up to one month a year. If that applies to you, just give us a shout.
- Membership Upgrades + Downgrades
We offer Annual Membership upgrades for our Resident, Associate Unlimited, Associate 4 and Associate 8 Membership plans. We can process a membership upgrade immediately and calculate the additional pro-rated cost based on when your annual membership is scheduled to end. You can downgrade once your membership period ends, i.e. after the 12 months are up.
- Pay-As-You-Go
Need extra time and can't wait for your hours to refresh? No problem - just check in and out as usual and any additional hours will be charged at £5.50+VAT per hour on a pay-as-you-go basis. The system will calculate your extra usage (rounded up to the nearest hour) and charge via your regular payment method the following day.
Health, Safety, and Emergencies
- General Safety
Keep exits clear, report hazards or breakages, and let us know if anything seems off. We’re here to ensure everyone’s well-being.
- Fire Safety
- Activate the nearest alarm call point
- Dial 999 and give our address
- Follow exit signs and emergency lighting
- Stay low if there’s smoke and check doors for heat
- Assist those who need help to a refuge area and inform emergency services
- Report injuries or hazards
- Use an extinguisher only if you’re trained and it’s safe
- Wait outside until it’s safe to return
Fire Action Notices are posted throughout, and trained Fire Wardens are on-site during normal office hours.
- No Lift Use in Emergencies
Never use the lift if the alarm sounds or there’s another emergency. Use the stairs for safe evacuation.
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans PEEPs
Let us know if you need extra help in an emergency. We’ll tailor a PEEP so everyone is looked after.
Compliance, Updates, and Feedback
- Following the Law
Patch is a place for positive, lawful activities. No illegal, harmful, or unethical actions, please.
- If You Break the Rules
We’ll start with a friendly reminder if something’s off. Serious or repeated issues may lead to suspension or cancellation of your membership.
- Member Complaints & Community Resolution
We’re committed to a fair and positive environment for everyone. If you have a concern or need to report an issue, please refer to our Member Complaint and Community Resolution Policy for the steps we take to reach a solution.
- Staying informed
If we update these rules, we’ll let you know. You may need to re-accept them when you log in, just so we’re on the same page.
- We welcome your input
Have a great idea to make Patch even better? Let us know. We value your suggestions and are always open to improving our community. You can provide feedback through our feedback boxes, NPS surveys and regular coffee chats.
For the finer details, you can find our full Member Terms and Conditions here. Please note that these are subject to change and may be updated from time to time.
Thank you for helping us make Patch a place where everyone can thrive. If you have any questions or need assistance, just ask – we’re here to help.