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Cookie Policy UK

Cookie Policy – Façade Creations Ltd

Introduction

At Façade Creations Ltd, we respect your privacy and are committed to being transparent about how our website uses cookies and similar technologies. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which cookies we use on our website (www.facadecreations.co.uk), why we use them, and how you can manage your preferences. It is designed to comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) regarding the use of cookies and online tracking. In this policy, “we” or “our” refers to Façade Creations Ltd.

By using our website, you agree that we can place the cookies described below on your device, subject to your preferences. You will have the opportunity to grant or withhold consent for non-essential cookies when you first visit our site via the cookie consent banner.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are downloaded to your device (computer, smartphone, or other electronic device) when you visit a website. Cookies serve a variety of functions, such as enabling website functionality, improving user experience, and providing information to website owners about how users interact with the site. Cookies can be first-party(set by the website you are visiting) or third-party (set by a different domain, such as an analytics or advertising provider). Cookies may last only for your browsing session (session cookies) or remain on your device for a defined period (persistent cookies).

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to enhance and secure your experience on our website. In particular, our uses of cookies include:

  • Essential functionality: Ensuring that our website functions correctly and securely, allowing you to navigate the site and use its features (e.g. page navigation, access to secure areas, form submissions).
  • Preferences: Remembering your preferences and settings (where applicable) to personalize your experience (for example, remembering language or region selections).
  • Performance and analytics: Understanding how our website is used so we can improve its design, functionality, and content. Cookies help us gather anonymous statistics about visits, such as number of visitors, pages viewed, time spent, and any errors encountered.
  • Advertising and marketing: Currently, we do not use advertising cookies. However, in the event we launch advertising or remarketing campaigns, cookies would be used to deliver relevant ads to you and measure the effectiveness of those ads.
  • Content enhancement: Enabling certain features such as video playback or social media integration on our site. For example, if we embed a YouTube video or a LinkedIn feed on our website, cookies might be set by those third parties to allow the content to display and function properly.

Some of the cookies used on our site are set by third-party services that we use (see Third-Party Cookies below for details). We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal information or to pass personal data to third parties for their own advertising purposes without your consent.

Categories of Cookies We Use

To provide clarity, we categorize the cookies used on our website into the following categories:

  1. Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the website to operate and for you to use its features. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, services you have asked for (like adding items to a quote request or staying logged in to your account) cannot be provided. Strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent under PECR, and we do not provide an option to disable them via the cookie banner since they are needed for basic operation. Importantly, these cookies do notstore any personally identifiable information. Examples include session cookies that keep you logged in or remember selections as you move between pages, and security cookies that prevent fraud and protect your data.
  2. Functional Cookies: These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization on our website. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages (for example, a live chat service or embedded video player). Functional cookies remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or region) and provide improved features. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly. For instance, if we embed a YouTube video on our site, functional cookies might allow the video to play and remember your playback preferences. Similarly, social media sharing tools might set cookies to allow you to share content with your network. These cookies are only placed if you give consent via our cookie preference centre, as they are not strictly necessary.
  3. Performance Cookies: These cookies help us measure and improve the performance of our website by collecting information about how visitors use the site. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can understand which pages are popular and how users navigate through our site. The data collected is aggregated and anonymous, and may include metrics such as page load times, errors encountered, and general usage patterns. For example, we might use a performance cookie to track how long it takes for a page to load for different users or how often certain features are used. Information from these cookies helps us identify areas for improvement. We only set performance cookies if you have consented to them. If you disable these cookies, we will be less able to optimize the website’s performance.
  4. Analytics Cookies: Analytics cookies collect information to help us understand how visitors engage with our website over time. We currently use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) as our primary analytics tool. GA4 cookies may track information such as the pages you visit, the time you spend on each page, how you arrived at our site, and what type of device or browser you are using. However, we have configured Google Analytics to anonymise IP addresses, meaning that the last octet of your IP address is masked before storage, which helps ensure that no personal data (like your full IP) is recorded. The information collected by these analytics cookies is aggregated and does not directly identify you. We use it for statistical analysis — for example, to see overall user trends and to improve site structure and content. Analytics cookies will only be set if you consent to them via the cookie banner. If you choose not to allow these cookies, your site experience will not be affected, but our ability to understand and improve how our site is used will be diminished.
  5. Advertising (Targeting) Cookies: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit how many times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Advertising cookies are usually placed by third-party advertising networks with the website operator’s permission. At present, Façade Creations does not use any advertising or targeting cookies on our website. We do not serve targeted ads, and no third-party ad networks are collecting data through our site at this time. In the future, if we engage in online advertising (for example, using Google Ads or LinkedIn Ads), we would use targeting cookies to track the effectiveness of those ads and to show you Façade Creations content on other platforms. Any such cookies would be deployed only with your prior consent. We would also update this Cookie Policy to provide details of those cookies and ensure that third-party platforms only receive anonymised or minimal data necessary for ad delivery.
  6. Unclassified/Other Cookies: This category is for cookies that are in the process of being classified or are not clearly fitting into the other categories. Occasionally, as our website evolves or as we implement new technologies, new cookies may be added and not immediately categorized. We review these cookies and update their classification and details in this policy once information becomes available. We treat any unknown cookies with the same level of scrutiny and will not intentionally use cookies in this category for any purpose beyond what is necessary for site function or disclosed to users. If you notice a cookie that we haven’t listed here or have questions about new cookies, please contact us (see Contact Us below).

 

Cookie Consent and Managing Your Preferences

Consent Mechanism: When you first visit our website, you will see a Cookie Consent Banner. We use an opt-in consent model with a preferences management tool. This means non-essential cookies (such as those in the Functional, Performance, Analytics, or Advertising categories) will not be set unless and until you actively consent to them. Through the banner, you can choose to “Accept All Cookies” or “Reject Non-Essential Cookies”, or you can click “Customize Preferences” (or a similarly labeled option) to selectively consent to some categories and not others.

If you choose to Accept All Cookies, all categories of cookies described above (except unclassified/other) will be enabled. If you choose to Reject Non-Essential Cookies, we will only use cookies that are Strictly Necessary for site operation. If you Customize Preferences, you can individually toggle consent on or off for each category (Functional, Performance, Analytics, Advertising). This granular control allows you to tailor your cookie experience.

Your cookie preferences (the choices you make on the banner) will be remembered and stored by our consent management tool. We store a record of your consent decision (opt-in or opt-out for each category) as a consent cookie on your device, and/or in our logs, to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements. This consent record cookie is itself a strictly necessary cookie and will not contain personal data beyond an anonymous identifier. It simply tells our site what your preferences are so that we know which cookies to load or block.

Changing Your Preferences: You have the right to change your cookie preferences or withdraw your consent at any time. We provide a “Manage Cookies” or “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of our website (available on every page). By clicking this link, you can reopen the cookie consent management panel and adjust your selections – for example, to opt-out of a category you previously opted into, or vice versa. Any changes you make will be applied immediately (with the exception that already-set cookies might remain on your browser until you delete them, as explained below).

Please note that if you withdraw consent for certain cookies (like Functional or Analytics cookies), some features of our site might become unavailable or less optimized. However, you can always continue to use the core functions of the site with only Strictly Necessary cookies enabled.

Cookie Duration and Retention

Cookies can remain on your device for different periods. Session cookies are temporary cookies that last only for the duration of your browsing session on our site and are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you manually delete them. On our site, most non-essential cookies (e.g. analytics cookies) are persistent, with typical lifespans ranging from a few days up to about 6–12 months. For instance, certain Google Analytics cookies may persist for up to 6 months, unless cleared, to remember your preferences or identify that you are a returning visitor.

The exact duration of each cookie we use is documented in our internal cookie register and will be detailed in the cookie consent tool interface. We periodically review the cookies in use and their retention periods. We will not retain cookies (or the data generated by cookies) longer than necessary for their purpose. For analytics data, we ensure it is either deleted or anonymised after aggregation. Persistent cookies will expire automatically after their set period, but you can delete them manually at any time (see How to Control and Delete Cookies below).

Third-Party Cookies and Embedded Content

As mentioned, some cookies on our site are set by third parties providing services or content to us. Key third-party integrations on Façade Creations’ website include:

  • Google Analytics: Sets analytics cookies (_ga and others) to collect site usage statistics. Data is used by us in aggregate form. Google may also use this data subject to its own privacy policy, but since we do not send personal data and IP anonymisation is enabled, the analytics data is not personally identifiable.
  • Potential Future Integrations: We may include content or features from platforms like YouTube (for product or project videos), Vimeo, LinkedIn (e.g., a feed or “Share” button), or other social media and mapping services. If such content is embedded on a page you visit, these third parties may set their own cookies on your browser. For example, YouTube might set cookies to track video views or maintain your video player settings; LinkedIn might set cookies if you interact with a LinkedIn plugin on our site. These third-party cookies are controlled by the third parties, not by Façade Creations, and are subject to the respective third party’s privacy/cookie policies. We will inform you via the cookie consent tool and this policy whenever we deploy new third-party content that uses cookies, and you will have the choice to allow or block them (typically, such cookies would be categorized as Functional or Advertising, depending on their purpose).

We do not share any personal data collected through our cookies with third parties for their own marketing or advertising purposes. However, third parties may process information collected by the cookies they set on our site for their own needs (for example, Google’s use of analytics data or YouTube’s use of data about video plays). For more details on how these third-party providers use cookies and data, please refer to their privacy policies (e.g., Google’s Privacy Policy, which covers Google Analytics; or the privacy policy of any social media platform whose content is integrated). We provide links or references to these in our Privacy Policy and can provide them upon request.

How to Control and Delete Cookies

In addition to using our website’s cookie preference tools (the consent banner and “Manage Cookies” link) to manage which cookies are set, you have the option to control cookies through your web browser settings. Most web browsers allow you to:

  • View cookies: Check what cookies are currently stored on your device and see their expiration dates.
  • Delete cookies: Remove some or all cookies from your device (either en masse or individually).
  • Block cookies: Prevent new cookies from being set. You can usually choose to block third-party cookies (from domains other than the site you’re visiting) or even all cookies.
  • Alert preferences: Set your browser to notify you when a website is trying to set a cookie, giving you the opportunity to accept or reject it on a case-by-case basis.

The method for doing this varies by browser. You can typically find these options in the browser’s “Settings” or “Preferences” menu, under sections like Privacy or Security. For convenience, here are quick pointers for managing cookies in common browsers (please note these links are for guidance and may change over time):

  • Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
  • Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
  • Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data.
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
  • Internet Explorer: (legacy browser) Internet Options > Privacy.

You can also find more detailed information on managing cookies on the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) website or at independent sites like AllAboutCookies.org.

Consequences of Disabling Cookies: If you disable or delete cookies via your browser, please be aware that some features of our website may not function correctly (for example, you might not be able to use interactive features or have your preferences remembered). Blocking all cookies will likely affect the core functionality of many websites, including ours. We therefore recommend using the granular controls in our consent tool for fine-tuned management, or at least allowing strictly necessary cookies even if blocking others.

Legal Basis for Cookie Use and Data Processing

Under data protection law, we are required to inform you of the legal grounds on which we process any personal data collected via cookies:

  • For strictly necessary cookies, the processing of data (if any) is based on our legitimate interests in ensuring our website operates correctly, securely, and delivers the services you request. These cookies are exempt from consent requirements under the PECR because they are essential to provide you with the service you have sought (e.g., navigating the site, using its features).
  • For all other cookies (Functional, Performance, Analytics, Advertising), our use of cookies and the processing of any related data is based on your consent. We will only set these cookies on your device if you have given consent via our cookie banner or settings. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time, as described above. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing that occurred prior to your withdrawal.

Any personal data that may be gathered through cookies (such as an IP address or a unique identifier) is handled in accordance with our [Privacy Policy]. We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal data, and we do not make any decisions based solely on automated processing of data collected by cookies.

Updates to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, for example, to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in law or regulatory guidance, or improvements in our practices. When we make significant changes to this policy, we will post a prominent notice on our website or within the cookie consent banner and update the “last updated” date. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are using cookies.

This Cookie Policy is effective as of the date at the top of the policy. Continued use of our website after any updates signifies your acceptance of the updated terms, to the extent permitted by law.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us. Our details are:

Please include details about your inquiry and, if applicable, information about the device or cookies in question. We will do our best to respond promptly and address your concerns.

For more information about how we process personal data (beyond cookies), please see our Privacy Policy. By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read this Cookie Policy and understand our practices regarding cookies