Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language and other settings, which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting ("first-party cookies") or by third parties, such as those who serve content or provide advertising or analytics services on the website ("third-party cookies").

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important reasons:

• Essential functionality: Some cookies are essential for our website to function properly
• Performance improvement: Help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it
• User experience: Remember your preferences and settings
• Communication: Enable certain features like contact forms
• Analytics: Help us analyze website traffic and usage patterns

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They cannot be switched off in our systems and are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences or filling in forms.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often. This helps us improve how our website works.

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and settings.

3.4 Marketing Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the relevant third party's website for more information.

Third-Party Services We Use:

• Google Analytics: For website analytics and performance measurement
• Social Media Plugins: For social sharing functionality
• Map Services: For displaying location information

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

5.1 Cookie Consent Manager

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only necessary cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer.

5.2 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from particular sites
• Block all cookies from being set
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

5.3 Browser Instructions

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies, some features of our website may not function properly:

• Contact forms may not work correctly
• Your preferences won't be remembered
• Some pages may load more slowly
• You may see the cookie banner on every visit

Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for the website to function.

7. Cookie Retention

Different cookies have different lifespans:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

We regularly review and delete old cookies to ensure we only keep what's necessary.

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in the cookies we use
• Changes in applicable laws
• New features on our website
• Feedback from users

When we make changes, we will update the "last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice on our website or via email.

9. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights regarding cookies and tracking technologies:

• Right to be informed about cookies before they are placed
• Right to refuse non-essential cookies
• Right to withdraw consent at any time
• Right to access information about what cookies collect

10. Useful Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): ico.org.uk
• About Cookies: aboutcookies.org
• All About Cookies: allaboutcookies.org

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us: