Cookie Policy

1. Data Controller

Business Name: The Towbar Man
Contact Email: sales@thetowbarman.com
Contact Phone: 07508 135577
Service Area: Midlands, England

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Cookies allow websites to remember your actions and preferences (such as login details, language, and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don't have to keep re-entering them whenever you return to the site or browse from one page to another.

3. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several reasons detailed below. We only set non-essential cookies after obtaining your explicit consent through our cookie banner.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

4.1 Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and they are set automatically.

4.2 Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website. We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to analyze website traffic and improve user experience. GA4 processes IP addresses for geolocation but does not log or store them. All analytics data is pseudonymised and cannot directly identify individuals.

Legal Basis: Consent (PECR Regulation 6)

Third-Party Provider: Google Ireland Limited
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Analytics Documentation: GA4 Data Collection
Data Processed: Browsing behavior, device information, approximate location (IP addresses processed for geolocation but not stored)

4.3 Marketing Cookies (Requires Consent)

These cookies track conversion events (such as form submissions) to help us measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. We use Google Ads conversion tracking to understand which marketing efforts lead to quote requests and bookings. Conversion tracking records events but does not directly identify individual users.

Legal Basis: Consent (PECR Regulation 6)

Third-Party Provider: Google Ireland Limited (Google Ads)
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Advertising Documentation: Conversion Tracking
Data Processed: Conversion events, ad interactions, device information, browsing behavior

5. How to Control Cookies

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to:

• Accept All: Allows all cookies including analytics and marketing
• Reject Non-Essential: Only necessary cookies will be set
• Customize: Choose which categories of cookies to allow

Consent Duration: Your cookie consent preferences are stored for 12 months. After this period, you will be asked to review your preferences again.

5.2 Change Your Preferences

You can withdraw your consent and change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the website footer. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.

5.3 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. However, if you block all cookies (including necessary cookies), you may not be able to use all features of our website.

Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Chrome: Cookie settings
• Firefox: Cookie settings
• Safari: Cookie settings
• Edge: Cookie settings

5.4 Opt-Out of Google Analytics

You can opt-out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5.5 Opt-Out of Interest-Based Advertising

You can opt-out of personalized advertising from Google by visiting Google Ads Settings.

6. Third-Party Cookies

We use services from third parties (such as Google Analytics and Google Ads) that may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies. Please refer to the third-party provider's privacy policy for information about their cookies:

• Google Analytics: Google Cookie Policy
• Google Ads: Google Advertising Policy

6.1 International Data Transfers

Third-party services like Google Analytics and Google Ads are provided by Google Ireland Limited, which may transfer data outside the UK. Where data is transferred outside the UK, we rely on the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and other approved safeguards. Google provides additional safeguards for international data transfers as outlined in their compliance documentation.

7. Cookie Lifespan

Cookies have different lifespans:

• Session Cookies: These are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser.
• Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device until they expire or you delete them. The duration varies by cookie (see tables above).

8. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

If we make significant changes to how we use cookies, we may require you to provide consent again through our cookie banner.

9. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights regarding cookies:

• Right to be informed: You have the right to clear information about how cookies are used (this policy)
• Right to give or withdraw consent: You can control your cookie preferences at any time
• Right to object: You can object to cookie usage for marketing purposes

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

• Email: sales@thetowbarman.com
• Phone: 07508 135577
• Website: Contact Form