Cookies

What is a Cookie?

A cookie is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies allow a website to recognise a user’s device. For more information see the AllAboutCookies website.

Session and persistent cookies

Cookies can expire at the end of a browser session (from when a user opens the browser window to when they exit the browser) or they can be stored for longer.

Session cookies

- allow websites to link the actions of a user during a browser session. They may be used for a variety of purposes such as remembering what a user has put in their shopping basket as they browse around a site. These session cookies expire after a browser session so would not be stored longer term.

Persistent cookies

- are stored on a users’ device in between browser sessions which allows the preferences or actions of the user across a site (or in some cases across different websites) to be remembered. Persistent cookies may be used for a variety of purposes including remembering users’ preferences and choices when using a site or to target advertising.

First and third party cookies

Whether a cookie is "first" or "third" party refers to the website or domain placing the cookie. First party cookies in basic terms are cookies set by a website visited by the user - the website displayed in the URL window. Third party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain other than the one being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and a separate company sets a cookie through that website this would be a third party cookie.

What do we use cookies for?

We use cookies to display our pages in particular style layouts. We use session cookies, which do not store information about users when you have closed our site. We may also use Google Analytics cookies, which collect information in an anonymous form, such as data including the number of visitors to our website, where visitors have come from and the pages they have visited during their session/ time spent on the website. We use this non-personal information to compile reports on usability for internal use only, and so we can learn from the needs of our visitors and improve their experience of the website.

Can I turn off any cookies?

Yes, you can do this by re-setting the privacy settings in your web browser to automatically exclude cookies. Please be aware that this may affect your experience of our website, however.