What are Cookies?

A cookie is a small amount of data, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to users’ browsers from the website’s server and stored on the user’s computer or mobile device. Each website can send its own cookies if the browser’s preferences allow it, but (to protect privacy) browsers only permit a website to access the cookies it has already sent, not the cookies sent by other sites.

Many sites save cookies whenever a user visits their website in order to:

• Provide website personalisation (for example: saving preferences such as font size, accessibility features, template versions etc.)
• Record user decisions (e.g. remembering a login, saving products in a shopping cart)
• Provide social media integration
• Adjust adverts and make them ‘more relevant’ to the viewer
• Track traffic flows between websites

Cookie control

Users may set their computers to accept all cookies, notify them when a cookie is issued, or not receive cookies at any time. The last of these options could mean that certain personalised services could be disabled, preventing users from taking advantage of the full range of the features provided by websites. Each browser is different, but checking the “Help” menu will explain how to change cookie settings or preferences.

The UK has similar cookie regulations to the EU and users must generally be given the option to agree (or not) to allowing cookies. This is normally achieved by making it clear in policy statements, such as this, that cookies are used, giving users the opportunity to change their internet browser settings, or even avoid websites if they don’t want to have certain cookies stored on their computers.

Users can control cookies by using browser menu options or via third party add-ins. Further information will be found in browser ‘Help’ documentation.

On this website, we provide users with a means of controlling the cookies they wish to reject or accept (if any). There is a banner requiring a response and the settings can be altered at any time via the ‘cog’ icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Our use of cookies

During the course of any visit to our websites, the visible pages are downloaded to users’ computers and we may also download cookies. Information supplied by cookies can help us to provide a better online user experience and assist us in analysing the profile of our visitors. For example, to be able to send us a message via the contact form or login to a client account (if applicable), the user needs to allow the session cookie . Our cookies are listed below.

Name	Category	Usage	Lifetime
wordpress_test_cookie	Necessary	Checks whether cookies are enabled on the users’ browser	Session
cookieyes-*	Necessary	Cookie consent solution management	One year