Privacy Policy

1. Introduction
At SJ Feist & Co, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, use our services, or engage with our content. We adhere to the principles set forth by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

2. What information we collect
We collect and process the following types of personal data:

• Identity and Contact Data: This includes your name, email address, phone number, and other contact details you provide when you contact us via our website or forms.
• Technical Data: Such as IP addresses, browser type, operating system, device type, and referral information, which is collected through cookies or similar technologies.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, including pages viewed, time spent on the site, and other similar metrics.
• Marketing and Communications Data: If you subscribe to our newsletter or engage with our content, we may store your data to communicate with you about updates, services, or promotions.

3. How we collect your information
We collect your data through the following means:

• Contact Forms: When you fill out forms on our website to make inquiries, we collect the details you provide (name, email, phone number, etc.) to respond to your request.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies to enhance your experience and track website performance. Cookies are managed via a consent banner powered by the CookieYes plugin, which allows visitors to control their preferences in line with UK GDPR and PECR requirements.
• Plugins: We use plugins such as Google Analytics (via Site Kit) to analyse website traffic, Yoast SEO for SEO optimisation, and Widgets for Google Reviews to display reviews from customers.

4. How we use your information
We use the data we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and maintain our website: To ensure the website is functioning properly and is accessible to users.
• To respond to customer inquiries: When you contact us for assistance or inquiries, we use your data to communicate and address your needs.
• To analyse website performance: We use Google Analytics (via Site Kit by Google) to understand website traffic and improve user experience.
• To improve and personalise user experience: We use data to optimise the website based on user behaviour.
• To ensure compliance with legal obligations: We retain certain information to fulfil any regulatory or legal requirements.

We rely on the following lawful bases for processing your personal data:

• Consent – for example, when you choose to accept cookies or sign up for updates.
• Legitimate interests – to operate and improve our website, respond to enquiries, and maintain essential business communications, as long as it doesn’t override your rights.
• Legal obligation – when we’re required to retain certain information to meet legal or regulatory requirements.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and monitor website activity. These technologies allow us to:

• Analyse website usage (via Google Analytics).
• Ensure the correct functioning of the site and its features.

You can manage your cookie preferences via the cookie consent banner powered by the Complianz GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent plugin. For more detailed information on the cookies we use and how to control them, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

6. Third-Party Processors
We do not currently use email marketing platforms or payment gateways on our website. However, we do use third-party services to enhance the functionality and performance of our website:

• Google Analytics (via Site Kit by Google): To track website usage and performance.
• Yoast SEO: For optimising our website’s SEO.
• Widgets for Google Reviews: To display Google reviews on our website.

These third parties process your data solely for the purpose of providing these services and are required to protect your data in accordance with UK data protection laws.

7. Automated Decisions or Profiling
We do not use any automated decision-making processes or profiling, including targeted advertising.

8. Retention Period
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. For example:

Google Analytics data is retained according to Google’s standard data retention settings, which can be customised in your Google Analytics account. By default, Google Analytics retains data for 26 months.

Contact data collected via forms is retained until the inquiry is resolved, and any follow-up communication is completed.

You can always request the deletion of your data if you no longer wish for it to be stored.

9. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child under 16, please contact us immediately to have that data deleted.

10. Legitimate Interests
In certain cases, we may process your personal data based on legitimate interests. This means we have a valid reason to process your data, such as improving website functionality or communicating with you regarding the services you’ve inquired about. If you object to this processing, you have the right to opt-out by contacting us at info@sjfeistandco.co.uk.

11. How we protect your data
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Secure servers and encrypted connections (SSL certificates)
• Regular updates and maintenance to the website and its plugins
• Protection against unauthorised access and cyber threats

12. Your Rights
As a data subject under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (under certain conditions).
• Object: Object to the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Restriction: Request the restriction of processing of your personal data.
• Portability: Request the transfer of your personal data to another service provider.
• Withdraw Consent: If we are relying on your consent to process data, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@sjfeistandco.co.uk.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data protection rights have been violated:
www.ico.org.uk

13. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. When we make updates, we will post the updated Privacy Policy on this page with a new effective date.

14. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us:

SJ Feist & Co
Info@sjfeistandco.co.uk