Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Northbridge IT uses cookies and similar technologies on northbridgeit.co.uk and associated web pages. It applies to visitors in Manchester, the UK and elsewhere.
Purpose and scope
This page describes the cookies we set, why we set them and how you can manage your preferences. Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites to store information such as preferences and usage data. We use cookies to provide essential site functionality, to measure and improve performance, and to support optional features such as marketing and analytics where you have consented. When you first visit our site a non-intrusive banner appears offering you the option to accept all cookies or manage granular preferences. Essential cookies that enable the site to function correctly are set immediately as they are necessary for the service; optional cookies are only set if you provide consent via the banner or cookie settings modal. This policy complements our Privacy Policy, which explains how we process personal data collected through cookies and other channels.
Cookies we use
We use three primary categories of cookies: essential, analytics and marketing. Essential cookies support core site operations such as navigation, session handling and security. They are necessary for the website to operate and cannot be disabled by our systems. Analytics cookies collect aggregated, anonymised information about how visitors use the site, such as pages visited and load performance, enabling us to improve the experience and prioritise technical fixes. Marketing cookies are used to measure campaign performance and to present relevant content or advertising when you have opted in. Examples of services we may use for analytics are privacy-respecting tools and for marketing we rely on well-known platforms; these third parties may set their own cookies as described in the third-party section below. We keep cookie lifetimes reasonable and review them periodically to ensure they remain necessary for their purpose.
Managing consent and cookie preferences
You can manage cookie preferences at any time using the cookie banner or the cookie preferences modal available from the site footer or the small banner control in the corner. From there you can accept all cookies, reject optional categories, or choose analytics and marketing individually. Essential cookies cannot be rejected when using the site, since they are required for basic functionality. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings to block or remove cookies. Blocking cookies may affect site functionality and some features might not work as intended. If you withdraw consent for analytics or marketing, we will remove optional cookies and stop further optional processing, while retaining any essential cookies. For changes that involve third-party integrations, it may take a short time for those providers to respect updated preferences depending on their systems; we configure integrations to honour your choices as quickly as technically possible.
Third-party cookies and links
Some features on our site rely on third-party services which may set cookies on your device. Examples include analytics platforms and certain embedded content or integrations. We select partners that meet recognised data protection standards and we require them to process data in line with GDPR where applicable. The third parties control their own cookies and policies; we recommend reviewing their privacy and cookie statements for details about their processing, retention and opt-out options. Where we embed content from other sites, those services may set cookies independently of our site. Northbridge IT is not responsible for the privacy practices of such third-party sites and links to those sites do not imply endorsement. We maintain a list of common third-party providers and their purposes in the cookie preferences modal to help you make informed choices.
Changes, data retention and contact
We review this Cookie Policy periodically and may update it to reflect changes in technology, legislation or third-party services. Material changes will be communicated on this page and, where appropriate, by direct notice to individuals who have an account or an active contractual relationship with us. Cookie data retention varies by cookie type and provider; typical lifetimes range from session-only to up to two years for persistent analytics or preference cookies, though we keep these durations under regular review. If you have questions about cookies or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us: Northbridge IT, Unit 48 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ, United Kingdom — email [email protected] — phone +44 161 555 0123. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe our handling of cookies or personal data is not compliant with applicable law.