What is a cookie?

Cookies are small files that ask permission to be stored in your web browser. The cookie is then recognised by the website during your visit and if you visit again.

Cookies do not contain any personal information and do not contain any harmful programmes or virus.

The aim of using cookies is to enhance the user experience on websites, and make things as efficient and easy as possible for users. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise the device you are using and provide you with a better website experience.

The lifespan of a cookie is dependent on the system and type of cookie used.



What cookies do we use, and how we use them?

There are a range of software programmes used by large and small businesses. Please find below an example of all available cookies and their purpose.


Cookie Name Purpose
Google Analytics Google Analytics _ga This third party cookie helps us count how many people visit the website by tracking if you’ve visited the site before. It expires after 2 years.
Google Analytics Google Analytics _gat This third party cookie is used to manage the rate at which page view requests are made. It expires after 10 minutes.






How to delete / disable cookies?

All recent versions of popular web browsers give users some control over cookies.

You can amend the settings in your browsers so that they accept all cookies, reject all cookies or accept/reject cookies for certain sites. You can also delete cookies once you have left a site.

Note: By deleting cookies from your web browser you will not just be deleting ours, but all other sites as well.

Our website can be viewed without using cookies and you can prevent their automatic receipt by activating your browser’s anonymous usage settings (called “Incognito” in Chrome, “InPrivate” for Internet Explorer, “Private Browsing” in Firefox and Safari).


For comprehensive information on cookies, or how to control or delete them, please visit www.aboutcookies.org.