Cookie Policy
Find out how cookies and similar technologies are used on our website, what information they collect and how you can manage your preferences.
We use cookies to help our website work properly, remember certain preferences and, where enabled, understand how visitors use our pages. This policy explains the different types of cookies, how long they may remain on your device and the choices available to you. It applies immediately upon publication.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website may store on your computer, tablet or mobile device when you visit a page. They allow the website to recognise your browser and remember certain information between visits.
Some cookies are needed for basic website functions, while others can help remember your preferences or provide information about how visitors interact with the website.
Similar technologies, such as tracking pixels, local storage and scripts, may also be used for certain website functions. Where these technologies store or access information on your device, the applicable cookie and privacy requirements will also be considered.
2. Why We Use Cookies
Cookies may be used for several practical purposes, depending on the features enabled on our website:
- To keep essential website functions working correctly.
- To maintain website security and help prevent misuse.
- To remember selected website preferences.
- To support enquiry forms and other interactive features.
- To understand general website traffic and visitor behaviour, where optional analytics are enabled and consent has been obtained.
- To improve the usability and performance of website pages.
3. Types of Cookies We May Use
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for the website to operate or to provide a service you have specifically requested. They may support page navigation, basic security, form functionality and other essential features.
Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent where they meet the relevant legal exemption. They cannot normally be disabled through the website without affecting essential functions.
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies may remember choices such as language, display preferences or other settings. They help make repeat visits more convenient.
Where a functional cookie is not strictly necessary for a service you have requested, it will only be used after the required consent has been obtained.
Analytics and Performance Cookies
If analytics tools are enabled, these cookies may collect information about how visitors use the website. This can include pages viewed, approximate visit duration, navigation patterns and general device or browser information.
This information helps us understand which parts of the website are useful and where improvements may be needed. Optional analytics cookies will only be placed after the required consent has been given.
Marketing and Advertising Cookies
Marketing cookies may be used by advertising or social media services to measure campaign performance or understand interactions with promotional content.
These cookies are not essential to the operation of our website. If such tools are used, they will only be activated after the required consent has been obtained.
4. How Long Cookies Stay on Your Device
Cookies can be either session cookies or persistent cookies. Their actual expiry depends on the purpose of the cookie and the settings used by the relevant website service.
Session Cookies
Session cookies are temporary. They normally expire when you close your browser and are used to support functions during a single browsing session.
Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies remain on your device until their expiry date or until you delete them through your browser settings. Their duration varies depending on the purpose and provider.
| Cookie Category | Typical Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Essential session cookies | Until the browser session ends. |
| Essential persistent cookies | Only for the period needed for the relevant website function, as configured by the service. |
| Cookie preference records | Normally up to 6 months before the preference is requested again. |
| Functional cookies | Depending on the feature, generally until the end of the session or up to 12 months. |
| Analytics cookies | Depending on the analytics provider and configuration, generally up to 13 months where applicable. |
| Marketing cookies | Only where enabled and consented to; expiry depends on the relevant provider and cookie settings. |
These are the intended retention limits for the relevant cookie categories, not a statement that every category is currently active. Actual cookie names and expiry dates depend on the technologies installed and configured on the website.
5. First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set directly by the website you are visiting. They may be used to support essential functions, remember preferences and maintain a consistent browsing experience.
Third-Party Cookies
Some website features may be provided by external services. Depending on the tools enabled, these providers may set their own cookies or use similar technologies.
Such services may include:
- Website analytics and performance measurement tools.
- Website hosting, security and technical services.
- Embedded maps, videos or other external content.
- Social media or advertising features, where enabled.
Third-party providers operate under their own privacy and cookie policies. We do not control the expiry periods or technical settings of cookies managed independently by those providers.
Non-essential third-party cookies will only be allowed where the required consent has been obtained.
6. Your Cookie Choices and Consent
When you first visit the website, a cookie preference notice may be displayed to explain the available choices.
You can accept or reject non-essential cookies through the preference controls provided on the website. Strictly necessary cookies may still operate because they are required for essential website functions.
We will not treat simply browsing the website, scrolling through a page or closing a cookie notice as consent to optional cookies.
Changing Your Preferences
Where a cookie preference tool is available, you can reopen it to review or change your choices. If your preferences are updated, the new settings will apply to future cookie activity and, where technically possible, to existing optional cookies.
Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before the withdrawal.
7. Managing Cookies Through Your Browser
Most internet browsers allow you to view, block or delete cookies through their settings. You can usually choose to block all cookies, accept only certain types or receive a notification when a website attempts to store a cookie.
For general guidance, you can use the cookie settings in:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari
The steps vary between browsers and devices. Please refer to your browser’s help section for instructions.
If you delete all cookies, any saved preferences may also be removed. Blocking essential cookies may affect website navigation, enquiry forms or other functions.
8. Cookies and Personal Information
Some cookies and similar technologies may collect information that can be linked to an identifiable browser or device. Depending on the circumstances, this information may be treated as personal information under applicable data protection law.
We aim to collect only the information needed for the relevant website function. Where personal information is processed through cookies, it is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
We do not use cookies to collect payment card details or ask visitors to provide passwords through cookie files.
9. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this policy when website features, cookie settings or third-party services change, or when an update is needed to reflect applicable legal requirements.
The latest version will be published on this page. If a change materially affects the use of non-essential cookies, we will update the relevant preference information and request consent again where required.
10. Further Information
If you would like to understand how personal information is collected, used and retained when you visit our website, please read our Privacy Policy.
You can also find independent guidance about cookies and online privacy from the Information Commissioner’s Office.