Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function, remember preferences, and gather information about how a site is used. The same legal rules can also apply to similar technologies that store information on, or access information from, a user’s device, not just standard cookies. 

For simplicity, this policy refers to all such technologies as "cookies", unless the context requires otherwise.

We may use cookies to:

• make our website function properly;

• keep the website secure;

• remember your settings and preferences;

• understand how visitors use the website;

• improve website performance and user experience;

• measure the effectiveness of our communications or advertising, where applicable.

Under UK rules, cookies that are not strictly necessary generally require user consent before they are set or used. ICO guidance states that consent must be actively and clearly given. 

1. Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of the website or for providing a service you have requested.

They may be used, for example, to:

• enable core website functionality;

• maintain security;

• remember cookie preferences;

• support load balancing or network management;

• enable form submission or session continuity where necessary.

These cookies do not usually require consent where they fall within the relevant legal exemption for a service requested by the user. ICO guidance recognises exemptions for technologies that are strictly necessary for providing an online service requested by the user. 

2. Analytics or performance cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited, how long users stay, and whether any errors occur.

They help us improve the performance, design and usability of the website.

Where analytics cookies are not exempt, we will use them only where appropriate and, where required, with your consent. The ICO’s current guidance makes clear that non-essential analytics tools generally fall within the consent framework unless a specific exemption applies. 

3. Functionality cookies

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make, such as language settings, region, accessibility settings, or other preferences.

Depending on how they operate and whether they are strictly necessary, they may require your consent.

4. Advertising or targeting cookies

These cookies may be used to track browsing behaviour across websites and to help deliver more relevant advertising or measure advertising effectiveness.

If we use advertising, remarketing, pixel-based or similar targeting technologies, we will do so only where lawful and, where required, with your consent. ICO guidance states that users must be given clear and comprehensive information and consent for non-exempt cookies. 

5. Third-party cookies

Some cookies may be set by third-party services that appear on our website or that provide functionality on our behalf, such as:

• analytics providers;

• advertising platforms;

• map providers;

• video hosting services;

• booking or form providers;

• spam protection or security providers.

Where third-party cookies are used, we aim to identify them clearly and manage them in accordance with applicable law. If such cookies are non-essential, they should not be enabled before valid consent is obtained. 

The UK rules on cookies are primarily set out in the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, especially regulation 6. In broad terms, website operators must:

• tell users that cookies are being used;

• explain what the cookies do and why; and

• obtain consent before setting or using non-exempt cookies or similar technologies. 

Where consent is required, we will seek it through our cookie banner or cookie preference tool before placing non-essential cookies on your device.

Consent must be a genuine choice. Non-essential cookies should not be pre-enabled, and users should be able to refuse them as easily as they accept them. This approach is consistent with current ICO guidance, including its more recent work on cookie banners and storage and access technologies. 

When you first visit our website, you may be presented with a cookie banner or cookie preference tool that allows you to:

• accept all cookies;

• reject non-essential cookies; or

• choose your cookie preferences.

You can also usually control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling some cookies may affect how the website functions.

If you change your browser settings or clear cookies, you may be asked to make your choices again when you next visit the website.

The exact cookies and similar technologies used on our website may change from time to time as we update the website or the services we use.

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the law, regulatory guidance, or the cookies and technologies used on our website.

Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. If our use of cookies changes materially, fresh consent may be needed. ICO guidance notes that organisations may need to obtain fresh consent where their use of cookies changes over time. 

For more information about how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or similar technologies, please contact us using the contact details above.