Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and similar technologies on our website
Last updated: 30 June 2025
Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how HV Direct ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at www.hvdirect.co.uk (the "website"). It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them.
In Brief
- Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website.
- We use cookies to improve your browsing experience, analyse site traffic, and personalise content.
- You can control cookies through your browser settings and our consent management tool.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device and remember if you've been to the website before. Cookies are a very common web technology; most websites use cookies and have done so for years.
Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. They're used for many different purposes, such as helping you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improving your experience when using a website.
Types of Cookies We Use
We use different types of cookies on our website:
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains your session across the website | Session |
| csrf_token | Helps protect against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks | Session |
Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Used to distinguish users for Google Analytics | 2 years |
| _gid | Used to distinguish users for Google Analytics | 24 hours |
| _gat | Used to throttle request rate for Google Analytics | 1 minute |
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| preferences | Remembers your site preferences | 1 year |
| recently_viewed | Tracks which pages you've recently viewed | 30 days |
Marketing Cookies
These cookies track your browsing habits to enable us to show advertising which is more likely to be of interest to you. These cookies use information about your browsing history to group you with other users who have similar interests.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements | 3 months |
| _gcl_au | Used by Google AdSense for experimenting with advertisement efficiency | 3 months |
How to Manage Cookies
You can control and manage cookies in various ways. Please keep in mind that removing or blocking cookies can impact your user experience and parts of our website might no longer be fully accessible.
Browser Controls
Most browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can adjust your browser settings to decline cookies or be notified when a cookie is being set. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Opera: Settings → Advanced → Privacy & security → Site Settings → Cookies
Our Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website.
Do Not Track
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature that allows you to tell websites that you do not want to have your online activities tracked. At this time, we do not respond to browser "Do Not Track" signals.
Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, we may also use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics of the website and deliver advertisements on and through the website. The third-party services we use include:
- Google Analytics: For website analytics and performance tracking.
- Google Ads: For advertising and remarketing.
- Facebook Pixel: For advertising and conversion tracking.
- LinkedIn: For advertising and conversion tracking.
Each of these services may store cookies on your device when you visit our website. You can learn more about how these services use cookies by visiting their respective privacy policies.
Cookie Policy Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our business practices. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to check this page periodically for any changes.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
For more information about our privacy practices, please see our Privacy Policy.
Questions About Our Cookie Usage?
Our team is here to help with any questions about how we use cookies on our website.
Contact Us