Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

2. How We Use Cookies

Birchwood Solutions uses cookies to improve your experience on our website, analyze site traffic, and understand how visitors interact with our services.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation, security, and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
session_id	Maintains user session	Session
security_token	Prevents CSRF attacks	Session

3.2 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
_ga	Google Analytics - distinguishes users	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics - distinguishes users	24 hours
_gat	Google Analytics - throttles request rate	1 minute

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and choices.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
cookie_consent	Stores your cookie preferences	1 year
preferences	Remembers your site preferences	1 year

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are placed by third-party services we use:

• Google Analytics: Helps us understand website usage and performance
• Google Fonts: Provides web fonts for improved typography
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing (only when making payments)

These third parties may use cookies in accordance with their own privacy policies, which we recommend you review.

5. Your Cookie Choices

5.1 Cookie Consent

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences.

5.2 Managing Cookies in Your Browser

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block all cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

5.3 Browser-Specific Instructions

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

5.4 Opting Out of Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you can disable cookies, please note that this may affect your experience on our website:

• Some features may not function properly
• You may need to re-enter information more frequently
• Certain personalized features may not be available
• Contact forms and quote requests may not work correctly

Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for the website to function.

7. Updates to Cookie Usage

We may update our use of cookies from time to time. Any changes will be reflected in this Cookie Policy with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

8. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals, but you can control cookies through your browser settings as described above.

9. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

Email: contact@birchwoodsolutions.co.uk
Phone: +44 1234 567890

10. More Information

For more information about cookies and how they work, visit www.allaboutcookies.org or ico.org.uk.