Cookie policy

Like many websites, we use cookies. These small data files drop onto your computer or browser or mobile device when you visit a website. They give us a record of how you engage with our website, helping us to run and improve it, and allow us to gather information.

On this page, you can read our cookie statement. It tells you which types of cookies (and similar technologies) we use, why we use them, and it explains your rights to control how we use them.

In some cases, we may use cookies and similar tools to collect personal information, or to collect information that can become personal information. You can find out more about how we process your personal information on our privacy policy.

Which cookies do we use?

We use both ‘first-party cookies’ and ‘third-party cookies’. First-party cookies are set by us and we use them and the data that they gather and generate for our own purposes. Third-party cookies are set by other websites that are connected to our website, for example a social network whose share buttons we display (such as Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter). These third parties can recognise your computer or device both when you visit our website and elsewhere on the internet.

Why do we use cookies?

We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons.

Firstly, we need some cookies to run our website; we call these ‘essential’ or ‘strictly necessary’ cookies. Other cookies let us, and the third parties we work with, understand your preferences when you visit our website; we call these ‘performance’ or ‘functionality' cookies. For example, we use cookies to help us display the most relevant content when you browse our website. These types of cookies are explained in more detail below.

Finally, sometimes we allow third parties to drop cookies onto our website for other reasons, such as to advertise or gather information. We explain this more below.

Different types of cookies we use, explained

Strictly necessary cookies

These are cookies we need to make our website work; they can't be switched off. They’re usually only set when you request something via our website, such as setting your privacy preferences or filling in a form. These cookies don’t store any information that could identify you.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but this will disable some parts of our website.

Performance cookies

These cookies look at how you prefer to use our website, for example how you like to move about and which pages you find most enjoyable. Performance cookies record your preferences, which we can use to improve the performance of our website.

These cookies only collect aggregated information and they don't allow us to work out who you are or target you in any way. Not allowing these cookies prevents us from knowing you’ve visited our website.

For example, some of the performance cookies we use are provided by Google Analytics . You can find out more about how Google Analytics uses your data here: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en

Functional cookies

We use these cookies to provide new tools for you to use on our website, and to offer you a personalised experience. They might be set by us or by a third-party who appears on our website.

Not allowing these cookies could stop our website working fully for you.

For example, we use cookies associated with LiveChat, the platform which allows us to communicate with visitors to our website.

Targeting cookies

Our advertising partners might set these cookies to build a profile of your interests, so they can show you relevant adverts on other websites you visit elsewhere on the internet.

These cookies don’t store your personal information directly, but they do identify your browser and the device you’re using to browse. Not allowing these cookies will mean you’re shown less targeted advertising (though you will still see adverts).

For example, our website features targeting cookies from Facebook to help collect information for advertising purposes.

How can I control cookies?

You can decide whether to accept cookies or not, and you can control cookies by using the browser controls. Web browser controls do vary, but your browser’s help menu will tell you how you can refuse cookies. If you reject all cookies, it might result in our website no longer working fully for you. For example, if you are using the following browsers, the options are here:

Edge: Delete cookies in Microsoft Edge

Chrome: Delete cookies in Google Chrome

Firefox: Delete cookies in Mozilla Firefox

If you are using any other web browser, please visit your browser’s official support documents.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/181881?hl=en

You can learn more about cookies and how to reject cookies using different types of browser by visiting https://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/

Keeping our cookie statement up to date

This cookie statement was last updated on 11th October 2022. We might update our cookie statement from time to time to keep you informed if we decide to use cookies differently for any particular reason.