Cookie policy

Last updated: 5-7-26

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files (and similar technologies, like local storage) placed on your device when you visit a website. They help a site function and can be used to understand how it's used.

2. The law

Cookies are governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), alongside UK GDPR. As a rule, we need your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device, unless a specific exemption applies.

From 5 February 2026, the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 introduced narrow exemptions from consent for certain low-risk analytics and functionality cookies. These only apply where the cookie is used solely for that limited purpose, isn’t shared with third parties, and doesn’t track you across other sites or apps. Most default Google Analytics setups (e.g. with Google Signals or ad-related data sharing switched on) do not meet these conditions — so we treat our analytics cookies as requiring your consent unless and until they’ve been specifically configured to qualify for the exemption.

3. Cookies we use

Cookie	Purpose	Type	Duration	Consent required?
`wordpress_test_cookie`	Checks the browser accepts cookies (site/admin functionality)	Strictly necessary	Session	No
`_ga`, `_ga_<container-id>`	Google Analytics — distinguishes visitors	Analytics	Up to 2 years (configurable)	Yes*
`_gid`	Google Analytics — distinguishes visitors	Analytics	24 hours	Yes*
[Any cookies set by your theme, Elementor add-ons, or security plugin]	[purpose]	[Strictly necessary / Functional]	[duration]	[No / Yes]

*Unless configured to meet the PECR statistical-purposes exemption described in Section 2 above.

Note: this table is a starting point, not a substitute for an audit. Check what your specific site actually sets, using your browser’s developer tools or a scanning plugin — and update this table whenever you add a new plugin, embed, or tracking pixel.

4. How we obtain your consent

When you first visit, you’ll see a cookie banner letting you accept or reject non-essential cookies, with both options equally easy to choose. Analytics cookies aren’t set until you consent, except where they fall within the exemption in Section 2.

5. Managing or withdrawing consent

You can change your cookie preferences at any time via our cookie settings at the bottom of the page, or through your browser settings (which may affect how the Site works). You can also opt out of Google Analytics specifically using Google’s browser add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

6. Changes to this policy

We’ll update this page if the cookies we use change, or if the law changes.

7. Contact us

info@bowden-signs.co.uk