As we use cookies on our website, we'd like to explain a little bit about what they are and why we use them.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your device when you browse a website. They can provide useful information to companies, in a variety of different ways.
What types of cookies are there?
Generally, there are four different types of cookie, these being; strictly necessary cookies, performance cookies, functionality cookies and targeting or advertising cookies.
- Strictly necessary cookies are essential to use a website properly and without them even the basics of the website wouldn't work as expected.
- Performance cookies are used to track how visitors use a website, but they can't track an actual user.
- Functionality cookies customise a website for a particular user, for example they may remember a username or provide localised information.
- Advertising and targeting cookies are often used for advertising purposes and present adverts that are relevant to the user.
There are a further two breakdowns of cookies:
- Persistent cookies are set for a certain time period and remain on the device for that time.
- Session cookies are temporary and are deleted as soon as the browser is closed.
Why are cookies used?
Cookies are used for a number of reasons, but primarily it's to give you a better experience when visiting a website. Some common uses could include:
- Enabling a website to recognise your device so that you don't have to submit the same information several times.
- Improving the speed and security of websites.
- Keeping track of the number of visitors and visitor activity patterns on a website.
- To provide third party functionaility such as a Google Map or an embedded YouTube video.
What do we not use cookies for?
We do not use cookies to collect any personal or sensitive information and we do not pass on any information to third parties.
What cookies are used on our website?
- PREF - This persistant cookie is set by Google Maps when you visit the contact page of our website to allow you to locate our offices.
- testcookie - This session cookie is set by Google Maps when you visit the contact page of our website to allow you to locate our offices.
- khcookie - This session cookie is set by Google Maps when you visit the contact page of our website to allow you to locate our offices.
- SNID - This persistant cookie is set by Google Maps when you visit the contact page of our website to allow you to locate our offices.
- NID - This persistant cookie is set by Google Maps when you visit the contact page of our website to allow you to locate our offices.
Allowing us to use cookies
If you are happy to accept cookies, you probably don't need to do anything and you can continue to browse our website as normal.
If your browser settings are adjusted to accept cookies, we take this, and your continued use of our website to mean that you are happy to accept cookies on our website.
What if I do not want to accept cookies?
If you do not want your browser to accept cookies, you can disable them using your browser settings, however please be aware that this will likely limit some functionality on the website. Cookies are a standard apsect of most modern websites and allow them to work as you would expect.
Turning cookies off
You can alter the cookie settings of your browser, this is usually under the 'options' or 'preferences' menu. Browsers are usually configured to automatically accept cookies. The following links provide you with more information:
Find out more about cookies
Further information about cookies and the recent change in the law about cookies can be found here.
