Cookie Policy
Last updated: 1 March 2026
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and to give website operators useful information about how their site is being used.
Cookies are not harmful and do not contain viruses or personal data such as your name or payment details.
2. How We Use Cookies
Blocked Drains Swindon uses cookies on our website at swindonblockeddrains.co.uk for the following purposes:
- To ensure the website functions correctly
- To remember your preferences and settings
- To understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it
- To measure the effectiveness of our online presence
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and they cannot be disabled.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
3.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use this data to improve our website and services.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Used to persist session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Used to throttle the request rate to limit data collection on high-traffic sites | 1 minute |
3.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these features may not function properly.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| form_data | Temporarily stores form input to prevent data loss if the page is refreshed | Session |
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control the setting of these cookies. The third parties that set cookies on our site include:
- Google Analytics (Google LLC): We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Google may transfer and store data on servers outside the UK/EEA. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.
- Google Fonts: We use Google Fonts to display custom typefaces. Google may collect usage data. For more information, see Google Fonts Privacy.
5. Managing Cookies
When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies.
You can also manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View the cookies stored on your device and delete individual cookies
- Block third-party cookies
- Block all cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies from being set
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect the functionality of our website and your experience when using it.
For more information on how to manage cookies in your browser, visit the help pages for your specific browser:
6. Consent
In accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and UK GDPR, we will:
- Only set non-essential cookies after obtaining your consent
- Provide clear information about what each cookie does before you consent
- Allow you to withdraw your consent at any time
- Not make access to our website conditional on you agreeing to non-essential cookies
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
8. More Information
For more information about how we handle your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- Email: info@swindonblockeddrains.co.uk
- Phone: 01793 487489
For more general information about cookies and how to manage them, you can visit www.allaboutcookies.org or the ICO’s guidance on cookies.