Cultural sector to receive exemptions from new membership crackdown

This article was first published by the Museums + Heritage Advisor.

New government rules to help consumers more easily exit paid subscriptions and memberships will include exemptions for some charitable cultural and heritage organisations, it has been announced.

Last year the government first announced plans designed to make it easier for consumers to exit unwanted subscriptions, and to curb free trial periods being silently rolled into paid plans.

These plans have today been firmed up, and will require consumer reminders before free or discounted trials end or 12 month contracts automatically renew, alongside straightforward cancellations such as online exits for online sign ups.

It will also include a new 14-day cooling off period after a free or discounted trial ends, or when a contract renews for 12 months or longer.

Museums and galleries had feared the rules would allow visitors to purchase an annual membership and use its immediate benefits, such as free access to paid exhibitions, before filing for a full refund within the 14 day cooling-off period.

The National Trust, Tate and the V&A were among organisations to sign a letter to the PM last August, warning that the plans risked inadvertently ‘crippling’ effects for their charitable membership models.