Privacy & Cookies Policy

Ground-Guards Ltd (trading as GroundGuards)

Effective: June 2025

We operate this Privacy and Cookies Policy because we are committed to safeguarding the privacy of those using our website (www.ground-guards.co.uk) and the confidentiality of any information that we collect about you.

We, Ground-Guards Ltd (trading as GroundGuards), are the data controller in respect of all personal data collected via our website. This Privacy and Cookies Policy sets out how we use any personal data we may obtain from you. Our website is not intended for children and we do not knowingly collect data relating to children.

Whenever you submit your information to us, whether via our website, email, telephone, in person or otherwise, we will collect and use such information in accordance with this Privacy and Cookies Policy. We are committed to treating all personal data properly and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are concerned about our handling of your personal data. We would, however, appreciate the opportunity to address any concerns directly before you contact the ICO.

You may provide us with information when you contact us by phone, email, online form, place an order, subscribe to newsletters, or apply for a vacancy. We may collect, use, store and transfer the following types of personal data:

a) Identity Data (e.g. name, job title, username, or social media handle)

b) Contact Data (e.g. work address, email, and telephone numbers)

c) Financial Data (e.g. bank and payment details)

d) Marketing Data (e.g. preferences regarding communications)

e) Technical Data (e.g. IP address, browser type, time zone, OS, device information)

We collect and use personal data for several reasons, depending on how you interact with us:

1. Responding to enquiries
   We collect your identity, contact details, organisational information, and enquiry details. This is done to respond to your requests or questions, using our legitimate interests as a legal basis.
   
2. Order processing and payment
   To process orders and manage payments, we use your identity, contact information, and financial details. This is necessary to fulfil our contract with you and is also in our legitimate interests.
   
3. Business and website administration
   For running our business and managing our website, we collect identity, contact, and technical information. We do this to meet our legal obligations and for our legitimate interests.
   
4. Website and marketing analytics
   We use technical data to understand how visitors use our website and to improve our services. This is based on our legitimate interests.
   
5. Sending marketing communications
   When we send marketing updates or information, we use your identity and contact details. We rely on your consent (where required) or our legitimate interests.
   
6. Job applications
   If you apply for a job with us, we collect your identity, contact details, and CV or application information. This is for our legitimate interests.

If required information is not provided or is inaccurate, we may be unable to fulfil a contract with you. You agree that all data supplied is accurate, up to date, and submitted lawfully, including any third-party data.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

We may share your personal data:

• With logistics providers to fulfil orders
• With professional advisors (legal, financial, etc.)
• Where legally required or for legal proceedings
• To protect our legal rights or enforce our Terms
• As part of any business sale, transfer or restructuring

We do not share your personal data for third-party marketing.

We may share your personal data:

• With logistics providers to fulfil orders
• With professional advisors (legal, financial, etc.)
• Where legally required or for legal proceedings
• To protect our legal rights or enforce our Terms
• As part of any business sale, transfer or restructuring

We do not share your personal data for third-party marketing.

We take reasonable steps to secure your data. However, online data transmission is not entirely secure. By using our website, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred outside the UK or EEA temporarily in transit.

Your Rights You have the right to:

• Access personal data we hold about you
• Correct or delete data
• Restrict or object to processing
• Data portability (in certain cases)
  

Requests can be made via info@ground-guards.co.uk or in writing to the address above. We may request identification to process your request.

We only retain your data for as long as necessary for the purposes it was collected, subject to legal and regulatory obligations (e.g. financial records). When no longer needed, data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

Our website uses cookies to provide the best user experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us improve site functionality and analyse usage.

Our site uses the following categories:

Google Cookies:

• Google Analytics / Advertising (e.g. 1P_JAR, DSID, IDE, NID, UULE, __utma, __utmb, etc.) to collect anonymous usage data for site improvement and remarketing.

General Site / Ecommerce Cookies:

• Used to manage basket contents and remember your session.

WhatConverts:

• Tracks user interactions (e.g. phone calls, forms) to help us analyse campaign effectiveness and improve user experience. More at: https://www.whatconverts.com/privacy-policy/

Hotjar:

• Tracks clicks, scrolls, and session recordings anonymously to analyse user behaviour. More at: https://www.hotjar.com/legal/policies/privacy

Marketing Cookies:

• Help tailor site content based on anonymous tracking unless data is voluntarily submitted.

Live Chat Cookies:

• Allow the session to continue uninterrupted during browsing.

Social Media:

• We may share anonymised data with social media platforms for advertising purposes. More info: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or via our cookie consent banner. Visit www.aboutcookies.org for more information.

We may update this policy periodically. Significant changes will be posted on our homepage. Refer to the Privacy and Cookies Policy link for the latest version.

Our site may link to external websites. We are not responsible for how those sites process your data. Always review their privacy policies.

Any content you post via our social media pages is publicly viewable and subject to the relevant platform’s privacy policy.

Ground-Guards Limited is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business and supply chain. We acknowledge our responsibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.