What’s a cookie?

Cookies are small bits of data used to store information on web browsers. Cookies are used to store and receive identifiers and other information on computers, phones, and other devices. They are used by nearly all websites and do not harm your system.

Cookies are either:

– Session cookies: these are only stored on your computer during your web session and are automatically deleted when you close your browser – they usually store an anonymous session ID allowing you to browse a website without having to log in to each page but they do not collect any personal data from your computer; or

– Persistent cookies: a persistent cookie is stored as a file on your computer and it remains there when you close your web browser. The cookie can be read by the website that created it when you visit that website again. We use persistent cookies for Google Analytics.

Cookies can also be categorised as follows:

– Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential to enable you to use the website effectively, such as when buying a product and / or service, and therefore cannot be turned off. Without these cookies, the services available to you on our website cannot be provided. These cookies do not gather information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you have been on the internet.

– Performance cookies: These cookies enable us to monitor and improve the performance of our website. For example, they allow us to count visits, identify traffic sources and see which parts of the site are most popular.

– Functionality cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features. For instance, we may be able to provide you with news or updates relevant to the services you use. They may also be used to provide services you have requested such as viewing a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect is usually anonymised.

How do we use cookies?

We use cookies to provide essential functionality, to provide social media features, to remember your preferences on our site, to analyse our traffic, and to understand how you use our site.

Authentication

If you have an account on our website, we use cookies to verify your account and determine when you’re logged in so we can show you the appropriate experience and features, including allowing you to use our online store to purchase products and services.

Site features, services, and preferences

We use cookies to enable site functionality and features, such as social media sharing options for articles, social media feeds, and remembering your preferences from interactions with some features.

Analytics and research

We use cookies to better understand how people use our website so that we can improve it and the products and services we provide.

Controlling or Blocking Cookies

If you want to check or change what types of cookies you accept, this can usually be altered within your browser settings. You can block cookies at any time by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) you may not be able to access all or parts of our site.