Cookies
What are Cookies?
A cookie is a small amount of data, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to user’s browsers from a website’s computer 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.)
- Save data on user’s decisions (for example: removing the need to enter login and password on every website, remembering a login for the next visit, keeping information on products added to a shopping cart)
- Provide social media integration (for example: displaying your friends, fans or post publishing on Facebook directly from the website)
- Adjust adverts that are displayed on the website and make them ‘more relevant’ to the person viewing them
- Create website and flow statistics between different websites to track online traffic flows
Cookie control
Users have the opportunity to set their computers to accept all cookies, to notify them when a cookie is issued, or not to receive cookies at any time. The last of these, of course, means that certain personalised services cannot then be provided and users may not be able to take full advantage of all of the features of websites. Each browser is different, but checking the “Help” menu will explain how to change your cookie settings or preferences.
In the UK, as in the EU, website users must be given the option to agree to accept the use of cookies. This is normally achieved through their internet browser settings and by making it clear in policy statements that cookies are used, giving them 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.
Cookies can be cleared by using a browser menu options or using a third party add-in. For further information will be found in browser’s ‘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 the settings can be altered at any time via the ‘cog’ icon at the bottom left 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 .
