- What is a Cookie?
- What if I don’t accept Cookies?
- How do I disable Cookies completely?
- List of Cookies Used by this Website
- Further Information
What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a simple file containing a small bit of information, that the website places in the cookie folder of the web browser on your computer. When the browser later returns to the same website, the information in the cookie is then retrieved by the website and used to recognise the user.
A cookie will usually contain data such as the domain name from which it came from, a unique number used as an identifier, some data related to its purpose such as your preferences on the website and the lifetime, or expiry, of the cookie.
There are 3 main types of cookies:
- Session Cookies: These basic cookies are used to carry out the essential functions on websites, such as website to identify you as a user, remember you from page to page within the website and maintaining log in details for the session or a transaction. These expire as soon as you close your browser, or after a short period of typically 20 minutes of inactivity.
- Persistent Cookies: These are the small text files that are dropped into the cookies folder of your web browser by the website. They can contain information to record specific browsing information such as how you reached the website, the pages you view, options you select, and the path you have taken through the site. These typically remain in your cookies folder.
- Third Party Cookies: These are persistent cookies from any other domain, such as third party services like Google Analytics. These are typically used by the website to measure the number of visitors and to allow social links to Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.
A new cookie regulation has come in, the ePrivacy Directive in the UK. The regulation’s purpose is to make website owners communicate clearly and transparently about how they are using cookies, so that web users are better informed about how their information is being noted and used.
Our aim is to provide you with clear information about the cookies that we use, so that you can make an informed decision about whether you want to use this website and agree with the cookies used.
What if I don’t accept Cookies?
If you choose not to any cookies then many websites will not perform as they should, and you may not be able to log in, save preferences, complete orders or use the more advanced features of the website.
How do I disable Cookies completely?
The most widely used browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari provide the option in their settings to disable cookies.
You will also be able to delete cookies, which deletes any existing cookies in your web browser’s cookie folder, but unless these are disallowed they will be replaced next time you visit the website.
The majority of browsers allow you to be selective about allowing and disallowing different types of cookies, giving the you the ability to disallow persistent cookies but allow session cookies that are integral to websites functioning properly.
Our policy is to use the absolute minimum number of cookies possible, whilst providing a service to you as effectively as possible.
This website does not directly drop any persistent cookies onto your computer. However, we do employ some widely used third party tools and services that do use persistent cookies.