Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, understand how you use the site, and improve your browsing experience.
Cookies contain anonymous information and do not personally identify you. They cannot access other files on your device or spread viruses.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies on our website for the following purposes:
- To ensure the website functions properly (essential cookies)
- To understand how visitors use our site and improve its performance (analytics cookies)
- To remember your cookie consent preferences
We do not use cookies for advertising or tracking you across other websites.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They include:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
cookie_consent |
Remembers your cookie preferences | 12 months |
session_id |
Maintains your session for security and form functionality | Session (deleted when browser closes) |
Essential cookies do not require consent under UK GDPR as they are necessary for the website to operate.
3.2 Analytics Cookies (Require Consent)
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This helps us improve content, navigation, and user experience.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga |
Distinguishes unique visitors | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Maintains session state | 2 years |
_gid |
Distinguishes users (short-term) | 24 hours |
What Google Analytics collects:
- Pages you visit and time spent on each page
- How you arrived at our site (referral source)
- Device type, browser, and screen resolution
- Anonymised IP address (last octet removed)
- Geographic location (country and city level only)
What Google Analytics does NOT collect:
- Your name, email, or personal contact details
- Full IP address (anonymised automatically)
- Any information you enter into contact forms
Google Analytics data is stored on Google's servers and processed in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy. We have configured Google Analytics to respect your privacy as much as possible.
4. Third-Party Services
4.1 Email Marketing
If you subscribe to our occasional updates or newsletter, our email marketing service may set cookies when you click links in our emails or visit subscription pages. These services comply with UK GDPR and process data securely.
5. How to Control Cookies
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner with the following options:
- Accept All: Allows essential and analytics cookies
- Reject Non-Essential: Only essential cookies are used (analytics disabled)
- Manage Preferences: Choose which cookie categories to allow
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer.
5.2 Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Delete existing cookies
- Allow cookies only from specific websites
- Receive notifications when cookies are set
How to manage cookies in common browsers:
Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent parts of the website from functioning correctly (such as contact forms).
5.3 Opt Out of Google Analytics
You can prevent Google Analytics from tracking you across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to DNT signals. Our website does not respond to DNT requests, but you can control cookies through the consent banner and browser settings described above.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when changes were made. Significant changes will be communicated via our website or email to active clients.
8. Questions
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
Email: melody@mhm-services.co.uk
Phone: +44 7495 125094
Post: MHM Services, 4 Fairfields Road, Holmbridge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 2NP
For more information about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.