Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to EVA Local. EVA Local (“we”, “us”, “our”) is operated by Sparkpoint Digital. EVA Local is a UK-based online marketplace that connects clients with local event vendors and service providers.

By accessing or using the EVA Local platform, including our website, progressive web app, and any associated services (collectively, the “Platform”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Platform.

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account and use the Platform. By registering, you confirm that you meet this age requirement.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Where we make material changes, we will notify you by email or through a notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after such notification constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Definitions

In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• “Platform” means the EVA Local website, progressive web app, and all associated services available at evalocal.com and any subdomains.
• “Client” means a registered user who uses the Platform to search for, contact, and book event vendors and service providers.
• “Vendor” means a registered user who lists their services on the Platform and accepts bookings from Clients.
• “Booking” means a confirmed reservation for services between a Client and a Vendor, made through the Platform.
• “Commission” means the 15% fee charged by EVA Local on the total value of completed Bookings, deducted from Vendor payments.
• “Deposit” means the 20% upfront payment made by the Client to confirm a Booking through the Platform.

3. Account Registration

To use certain features of the Platform, you must create an account. When registering, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
• Keep your account details, including your password, secure and confidential.
• Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account.
• Notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorised use of your account.

Each individual may only hold one account. Creating multiple accounts may result in suspension or termination of all accounts held.

EVA Local reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms, engages in fraudulent activity, or is otherwise deemed harmful to the Platform or its users.

You may request deletion of your account at any time by contacting us. Upon deletion, your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

4. How the Platform Works

EVA Local is a marketplace that connects Clients with Vendors. We provide the technology and platform through which users can discover services, communicate, arrange bookings, and process payments.

Important: EVA Local is not a party to any contract for services between a Client and a Vendor. The contract for the provision of services is entered into directly between the Client and the Vendor. EVA Local acts solely as an intermediary.

EVA Local does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any Vendor’s services. While we take reasonable steps to verify Vendor profiles and moderate content, we encourage Clients to review Vendor profiles, ratings, and reviews carefully before making a booking.

Payments are facilitated through the Platform using Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. EVA Local does not hold client funds directly; all payments are processed and managed by Stripe in accordance with their terms of service.

5. Booking & Payment Terms

When a Client confirms a Booking through the Platform, the following payment terms apply:

• Deposit: Clients pay a 20% deposit of the total booking value at the time of confirmation. This deposit secures the Booking and is processed immediately via Stripe.
• Remaining Balance: The remaining 80% of the booking value is due as agreed between the Client and Vendor, typically before or on the date of the event.
• Currency: All prices displayed on the Platform are in British Pounds Sterling (GBP) and are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
• Commission: EVA Local charges a 15% commission on the total booking value. This commission is deducted from payments made to the Vendor.
• Payment Security: All payments are processed securely via Stripe. EVA Local does not store your credit or debit card details. All payment data is handled in accordance with PCI DSS standards.

6. Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand that plans can change. The following cancellation policy applies to Bookings made through the Platform:

Client Cancellations

• More than 14 days before the event: Full deposit refund.
• 7 to 14 days before the event: 50% of the deposit refunded.
• Less than 7 days before the event: No deposit refund.

Vendor Cancellations

If a Vendor cancels a confirmed Booking, the Client will receive a full deposit refund. EVA Local will make reasonable efforts to help the Client find an alternative Vendor where possible.

Vendors who cancel confirmed Bookings repeatedly may face account suspension or removal from the Platform.

Refund Processing

Approved refunds are processed within 5–10 business days. Refunds are returned to the original payment method. Please note that your bank or card provider may take additional time to reflect the refund in your account.

Additional Vendor Terms

This is EVA Local’s platform-level cancellation policy. Individual Vendors may have their own additional cancellation terms, which will be communicated to you during the booking process. Please review these carefully before confirming your Booking.

Your Statutory Rights

Nothing in this cancellation policy affects your statutory rights as a consumer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

7. Vendor Obligations

By listing services on the Platform, Vendors agree to the following obligations:

• Accurate Listings: You must provide truthful and accurate descriptions of your services, pricing, availability, and any relevant qualifications or certifications.
• Honouring Bookings: You must honour all confirmed Bookings. Failure to do so may result in account penalties, including suspension or removal.
• Tax Obligations: You are solely responsible for your own tax obligations, including income tax, National Insurance contributions, and VAT registration where applicable. EVA Local does not provide tax advice.
• Insurance: Where your services require it, you must hold appropriate professional indemnity, public liability, or other relevant insurance.
• Legal Compliance: You must comply with all applicable UK laws and regulations, including but not limited to health and safety regulations, licensing requirements, and equality legislation.
• Content Licence: By listing on the Platform, you grant EVA Local a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to display your profile, images, service descriptions, and related content on the Platform and in promotional materials.

8. Client Obligations

By using the Platform to book services, Clients agree to the following:

• Accurate Information: You must provide accurate and complete event details when making inquiries and bookings, including event date, location, guest count, and any specific requirements.
• Timely Payments: You must make all payments on time, including the deposit at the time of booking and the remaining balance as agreed with the Vendor.
• Communication: You must communicate any changes to your booking requirements, event details, or cancellations to the Vendor promptly through the Platform.
• Reviews: We encourage you to leave honest, constructive reviews after completed Bookings to help other users and improve the quality of the marketplace.

9. Reviews & Content

The Platform allows users to post reviews, messages, and other content. When submitting content, you agree that:

• Reviews must be honest, fair, and based on genuine experiences with the Vendor or Client.
• Content must not be abusive, defamatory, discriminatory, misleading, or fraudulent.
• You must not post content that infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party.

EVA Local reserves the right to remove, edit, or refuse to publish any content that violates these Terms or that we deem inappropriate at our sole discretion.

You retain ownership of the content you submit to the Platform. However, by submitting content, you grant EVA Local a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, display, reproduce, and distribute that content in connection with the operation and promotion of the Platform.

10. Intellectual Property

The EVA Local name, logo, visual design, software, and all associated intellectual property are owned by Sparkpoint Digital and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any part of the Platform or its content without our prior written consent.

Nothing in these Terms grants you any rights to use the EVA Local brand, trademarks, or logos.

11. Limitation of Liability

EVA Local acts as a marketplace facilitator. We are not a party to the service contract between Clients and Vendors, and our liability is limited accordingly.

• Service Quality: EVA Local is not liable for the quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any services provided by Vendors. Any disputes regarding service quality are between the Client and Vendor.
• Financial Liability: EVA Local’s total liability to any user in connection with the Platform shall not exceed the total Commission earned by EVA Local on the relevant Booking, or £500, whichever is lower.
• Indirect Losses: EVA Local shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunity.
• Platform Availability: We endeavour to keep the Platform available and functioning, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. We are not liable for any losses arising from Platform downtime or technical issues.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
• Any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.

12. Dispute Resolution

If a dispute arises between a Client and a Vendor, we encourage the following steps:

1. Direct Communication: First, try to resolve the issue directly with the other party through the Platform’s messaging system.
2. EVA Local Mediation: If the dispute cannot be resolved directly, you may raise the matter with EVA Local. We will review the circumstances and attempt to mediate a fair resolution.
3. Platform Decision: For disputes relating to platform policies, bookings, or payments processed through EVA Local, our decision shall be final.

Nothing in this clause prevents either party from pursuing their legal rights through the courts or through alternative dispute resolution services, such as those approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

13. Data Protection

We take the protection of your personal data seriously. EVA Local processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

For full details on how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and consent to the processing of your personal data as described therein.

14. Changes to Terms

EVA Local may update or amend these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices.

Where we make material changes, we will notify you by email to the address associated with your account, and/or by posting a prominent notice on the Platform, at least 14 days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you may close your account before the changes take effect.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:

• Company: Sparkpoint Digital
• Email: hello@evalocal.com
• Platform: eva-local.vercel.app

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 business days.

16. Governing Law

These Terms, and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms.

If you are a consumer, you will benefit from any mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you are resident. Nothing in these Terms affects your rights as a consumer to rely on such mandatory provisions.