Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 01 August 2024

Introduction

West Lancashire Group Ltd (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our website visitors’ personal information. This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website (https://westlancsgroup.co.uk) and outlines your choices regarding these technologies. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy.

For the purposes of this policy, “cookies” include similar technologies that store information on your device or browser, including pixels, local storage, and scripts.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.

Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies on our website:

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

   • Description: These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to actions made by you, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.
   • Examples: Session cookies, authentication cookies, security cookies.
   • Duration: Session-based or permanent.

2. Performance Cookies

   • Description: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often, and if they receive error messages from web pages. This helps us improve the way our website works.
   • Examples: Google Analytics cookies.
   • Duration: Persistent cookies, typically expire after a set period (e.g., 2 years).

3. Functional Cookies

   • Description: These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personalized features.
   • Examples: Preferences cookies, customization cookies.
   • Duration: Persistent cookies, expiration varies.

4. Targeting/Advertising Cookies

   • Description: These cookies are used to deliver content more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
   • Examples: Cookies used by social media platforms and advertising networks.
   • Duration: Persistent cookies, expiration varies.

5. Third-Party Cookies

   • Description: Our website uses third-party services that may set cookies on your device. These cookies are managed by external services and are not controlled by us.
   • Examples: Cookies set by embedded content such as YouTube, social media sharing tools.
   • Duration: Varies depending on the third-party service.

Specific Cookies Used on Our Website

Here is a list of specific cookies that are used on our website, along with their purposes:

• Google Analytics

  • Purpose: To analyze website traffic and user behavior.
  • Provider: Google Inc.
  • Expiration: Up to 2 years.
  • Opt-Out: Google Analytics Opt-Out

• WordPress Cookies

  • Purpose: To manage user sessions, authentication, and user preferences.
  • Provider: WordPress.
  • Expiration: Session and persistent cookies.

• Yoast SEO Cookies

  • Purpose: To manage SEO settings and preferences.
  • Provider: Yoast SEO Plugin.
  • Expiration: Varies.

• LiteSpeed Cache Cookies

  • Purpose: To improve website loading speed and performance.
  • Provider: LiteSpeed Technologies Inc.
  • Expiration: Varies.

• FluentCRM Cookies

  • Purpose: To manage email marketing preferences and campaign tracking.
  • Provider: FluentCRM.
  • Expiration: Varies.

• Speculative Loading Cookies

  • Purpose: To prefetch resources for improved site performance.
  • Provider: Speculative Loading Plugin.
  • Expiration: Varies.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Ensure that our website functions properly and efficiently.
• Analyze visitor traffic and behavior to improve user experience.
• Remember your preferences and settings for future visits.
• Deliver personalized content and advertisements based on your interests.
• Enable social media sharing and interaction.

Legal Basis for Using Cookies

Our use of cookies is in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We rely on the following legal bases:

• Consent: Where required by law, we will obtain your consent before placing cookies on your device. You can manage your cookie preferences via our cookie consent banner.
• Legitimate Interests: Some cookies are necessary for the legitimate interests of ensuring our website functions properly and improving user experience.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have the right to manage your cookie preferences and can choose to accept or reject cookies at any time. Here are some ways you can control cookies:

1. Cookie Consent Banner

   • When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner will appear, allowing you to choose which cookies you accept or reject. You can update your preferences at any time.

2. Browser Settings

   • You can configure your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when a cookie is being sent. Please refer to your browser’s help section for instructions on how to manage cookies.

3. Opt-Out Tools

   • Some third-party services provide opt-out mechanisms for their cookies, such as Google Analytics Opt-Out.

Third-Party Cookies

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services. Please note that this Cookie Policy does not apply to cookies used by third-party websites. We encourage you to review the cookie policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Changes to Our Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website, and where appropriate, notified to you by email. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: admin@westlancsgroup.co.uk
Postal Address:
Managing Director,
West Lancashire Group Ltd,
West Lancs House,
Wyrefields, Poulton Business Park,
Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, FY6 8JX

Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to any complaint or believe our processing of information does not comply with data protection law, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioners office (ICO) using the following details:

• Address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
• Telephone: 0303 123 1113
• Website: www.ico.org.uk