Privacy Policy
Effective date: April 21, 2025
Decorators Forum (“us”, “we”, or “our”) operates the https://www.thedecoratorsforum.com website (the “Service”).
This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.
We use your data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, accessible from https://www.thedecoratorsforum.com
Definitions
- ServiceService is the https://www.thedecoratorsforum.com website operated by Decorators Forum
- Personal DataPersonal Data means data about a living individual who can be identified from those data (or from those and other information either in our possession or likely to come into our possession).
- Usage DataUsage Data is data collected automatically either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit).
- CookiesCookies are small pieces of data stored on your device (computer or mobile device).
- Data ControllerData Controller means the natural or legal person who (either alone or jointly or in common with other persons) determines the purposes for which and the manner in which any personal information are, or are to be, processed.For the purpose of this Privacy Policy, we are a Data Controller of your Personal Data.
- Data Processors (or Service Providers)Data Processor (or Service Provider) means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Data Controller.We may use the services of various Service Providers in order to process your data more effectively.
- Data Subject (or User)Data Subject is any living individual who is using our Service and is the subject of Personal Data.
Information Collection and Use
We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you.
Types of Data Collected
Personal Data
While using our Service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you (“Personal Data”). Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:
- Email address
- First name and last name
- Phone number
- Address, State, Province, ZIP/Postal code, City
- Cookies and Usage Data
We may use your Personal Data to contact you with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest to you. You may opt out of receiving any, or all, of these communications from us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in any email we send.
Usage Data
We may also collect information how the Service is accessed and used (“Usage Data”). This Usage Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.
Location Data
We may use and store information about your location if you give us permission to do so (“Location Data”). We use this data to provide features of our Service, to improve and customize our Service.
You can enable or disable location services when you use our Service at any time, through your device settings.
Children’s Data
Our website is not specifically directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under the age of 18 without appropriate consent.
If it becomes apparent that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 18 without verified parental or guardian consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.
We are committed to complying with the Children’s Code (Age Appropriate Design Code) issued by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This means:
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We do not use profiling, behavioural advertising, or data collection techniques that are inappropriate for children.
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We strive to provide content that is transparent, accessible, and understandable for all users.
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If any part of our website becomes specifically targeted toward children in the future, we will update our practices and privacy design accordingly to ensure age-appropriate protection.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information without your consent, please contact us at [insert your contact email], and we will respond promptly.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse website traffic, and support our marketing and affiliate activities.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember your preferences, improve functionality, and understand how visitors interact with our content.
Types of Cookies We Use
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Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the basic functionality of our website. They enable core features such as page navigation, security, and access to secure areas. -
Performance and Analytics Cookies
We use tools like Google Analytics to collect anonymous data about how visitors use our site (e.g. which pages are visited most often, how long users stay, etc.). This helps us improve our content and site performance. -
Functional Cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you’ve made, such as your location or language preferences, to provide a more personalised experience. -
Advertising and Affiliate Cookies
We work with third-party advertisers and affiliate programs (e.g. Google AdSense, Amazon Associates) that may place cookies on your device to display relevant ads or track referrals. These cookies may collect anonymised information about your visits to this and other websites.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can manage or disable cookies at any time through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
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See what cookies have been set
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Block third-party cookies
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Block all cookies from being set
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Delete cookies when you close your browser
To learn more about managing cookies, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
When you first visit our website, you may see a cookie banner or pop-up that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by [insert link or instructions if you use a cookie management tool].
Use of Data
Decorators Forum uses the collected data for various purposes:
- To provide and maintain our Service
- To notify you about changes to our Service
- To allow you to participate in interactive features of our Service when you choose to do so
- To provide customer support
- To gather analysis or valuable information so that we can improve our Service
- To monitor the usage of our Service
- To detect, prevent and address technical issues
- To provide you with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless you have opted not to receive such information.
Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data Under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
We process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The lawful bases we rely on for collecting and using personal information include:
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Consent – In some cases, we rely on your clear and informed consent to process your data. For example, when you opt in to receive our newsletter or marketing emails. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
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Contractual Necessity – We may process your data when it is necessary for the performance of a contract or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract. This applies, for example, when you contact us to request a quote or engage with our services.
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Legitimate Interests – We may process your personal data when it is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided that those interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms. This includes improving website functionality, analysing user behaviour to enhance our content, and promoting relevant services or products.
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Legal Obligation – In certain situations, we may be required to process your data to comply with a legal obligation, such as keeping financial records for tax purposes.
We are committed to only processing your data when there is a valid legal basis to do so, and we will always ensure your privacy rights are respected.
Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to meet any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
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Newsletter Subscribers: If you subscribe to our newsletter or marketing updates, we will retain your contact information until you unsubscribe or withdraw your consent.
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Contact Forms and Email Enquiries: We retain contact form submissions and email communications for up to 12 months from the date of the last correspondence, unless a longer retention period is needed for ongoing discussions or contractual matters.
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User Analytics and Cookies: Data collected through cookies and analytics tools is typically retained for up to 26 months, in line with standard industry practice.
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Comments and Website Interactions: If you leave a comment on our website, the comment and its associated metadata may be retained indefinitely, unless you request removal.
When personal data is no longer necessary, we securely delete or anonymise it in line with our data retention and deletion policies.
Third-Party Sharing
We may share your personal data with selected third parties when it is necessary to deliver our services, operate our website effectively, or meet our legal obligations. We only share data that is relevant, and we ensure that any third parties we work with are GDPR-compliant and committed to protecting your information.
Third parties we may share data with include:
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Affiliate Partners: When you click on an affiliate link, tracking information (such as your IP address or referral source) may be shared with the affiliate provider to facilitate proper attribution and commission tracking.
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Advertising Networks: We work with advertising partners (such as Google AdSense or similar platforms) to display relevant ads on our website. These partners may use cookies or similar technologies to collect anonymised data about your browsing activity to personalise ads.
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Analytics Providers: We use tools like Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. These services collect information such as your browser type, pages visited, and time spent on site, which helps us improve the user experience.
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Service Providers: Occasionally, we may use trusted third-party service providers (e.g., email marketing platforms or website maintenance services) who have access to limited personal data as part of their duties.
We do not sell your personal data to any third party.
Whenever we share data, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy. If data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure the recipient complies with data protection laws through approved mechanisms such as adequacy decisions or Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
Disclosure of Data
Disclosure for Law Enforcement
Under certain circumstances, Decorators Forum may be required to disclose your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency).
Legal Requirements
The Decorators Forum UK may disclose your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:
- To comply with a legal obligation
- To protect and defend the rights or property of Decorators Forum
- To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service
- To protect the personal safety of users of the Service or the public
- To protect against legal liability
Security of Data
The security of your data is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Your Data Protection Rights
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have several rights regarding your personal data. These rights ensure you have control over how your information is collected, used, and stored. You have the right to:
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Access – You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to confirm how we are using it.
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Rectification – If you believe that any personal data we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request that it be corrected or updated.
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Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”) – You have the right to request that we delete your personal data in certain circumstances, such as when the data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
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Restriction of Processing – You can ask us to restrict the processing of your personal data in specific situations, for example, while we investigate the accuracy of the data or the basis of a processing request.
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Objection to Processing – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data if we are relying on legitimate interests as our lawful basis, particularly for direct marketing purposes.
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Data Portability – In certain situations, you have the right to request that we transfer the personal data you provided to us to another organisation, or to you, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [insert your contact email or postal address]. We aim to respond to all valid requests within one month. We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how we handle your data. For more information, visit: https://ico.org.uk
Service Providers
We may employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our Service (“Service Providers”), to provide the Service on our behalf, to perform Service-related services or to assist us in analyzing how our Service is used.
These third parties have access to your Personal Data only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.
Analytics
We may use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service.
- Google AnalyticsGoogle Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity.For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en
Advertising
We may use third-party Service Providers to show advertisements to you to help support and maintain our Service.
- Google AdSense & DoubleClick CookieGoogle, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on our Service. Google’s use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our Service or other websites on the Internet.You may opt out of the use of the DoubleClick Cookie for interest-based advertising by visiting the Google Ads Settings web page: http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/
Links to Other Sites
Our Service may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit.
We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.
We will let you know via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the “effective date” at the top of this Privacy Policy.
You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
- By email: info@thedecoratorsforum.com
- By post: 209 Topping & Co. Liverpool Road, Southport, Merseyside, England, PR8 4PH