STOWMARKET INNOVATION GATEWAY
(SIG) COOKIE POLICY

1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Hethel Innovation Ltd, as the data controller for the
Stowmarket Innovation Gateway website, uses cookies and similar technologies in
accordance with:
 

• the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

• the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018)

• the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (as amended) (PECR)

• the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA 2025)
   

We take your privacy seriously and aim to ensure full transparency and fairness in how your
data is managed.

2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us
understand how the site is being used, improve your experience, and (with your consent)
support analytics and marketing functions. Some cookies are strictly necessary for our
website to work. Others are only used with your prior consent.
Some cookies may collect information that is treated as personal data under UK data
protection law, for example IP addresses or device identifiers.

3. Types of Cookies We Use
We may use the following categories of cookies:
 

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential to enable basic functions such as page navigation,
  security, and accessibility. These cannot be switched off.

• Analytics Cookies: These are only used where you have given your consent, unless a specific
  exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations applies and we have
  documented that assessment.

• Functional Cookies: These remember choices and settings that improve your experience,
  for example language, region, accessibility preferences, and items saved during a session.
  Where a cookie is strictly necessary to deliver a service you have requested, it will be treated as essential.
  All other functional cookies are non- essential and will only be set if you opt in through the banner or the
  Manage Cookies settings.

• Marketing Cookies: These are used to deliver relevant advertising and track then effectiveness of our campaigns.
  These also require your consent.

Cookies are used only for the purposes described in this policy and are not used to make
automated decisions about individuals.

4. Consent and Cookie Controls
On your first visit, you will be shown a cookie banner that gives you the choice to:
 

• Accept all cookies

• Reject non-essential cookies

• Customise your cookie preferences
   

Accept and Reject options are presented with equal prominence. You are invited to opt in to
any category beyond strictly necessary. Cookies are not set until your consent is obtained,
and we do not rely on pre-ticked boxes, passive consent, or ambiguous wording.

Our design avoids any nudge tactics or “dark patterns” in line with ICO guidance and DUAA
2025 duties placed upon senior management.

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the “Manage Cookies” link in
our website footer.
If you withdraw consent, any non-essential cookies previously set will no longer be used and
new cookies will not be placed on your device.

You may also control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling strictly
necessary cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

5. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies used on our site are placed by third-party services (such as Google Analytics
or Meta Pixel) to support analytics, surveys, or marketing. These cookies are not activated
unless and until you give your consent. We control whether third-party cookies are enabled
on our website and take responsibility for providing clear information about their use in this
policy.

6. Retention of Consent Records
We keep a secure record of your cookie consent status in accordance with the UK GDPR’s
accountability principle and DUAA 2025 obligations. This allows us to demonstrate when,
how, and on what basis consent was given or withdrawn. Consent records are retained for
up to six years to support regulatory accountability and complaint handling, in line with our
internal retention documentation, and are refreshed periodically to ensure that your
choices remain valid and up to date.

7. Individual Cookie Details
Because cookies and trackers may vary depending on browser settings, plug-ins, and
updates, we do not list each individual cookie here. However, we are happy to provide a
current list on request.

This approach reflects the dynamic nature of cookies and ensures that information provided
is accurate at the time of request, avoiding the publication of information that may become
misleading due to routine technical changes.

To request a full breakdown of cookies currently in use, please contact us at: privacy@hethelinnovation.com

8. Keeping This Policy Updated
We regularly review our use of cookies to make sure this policy stays accurate and up to
date. Reviews take place at least once a year and whenever we add or change website tools
or third-party services. Each review is recorded and overseen by our Accountable Person
under the Data Use and Access Act 2025. Any changes are reflected in the “Last Updated”
date below.

9. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or how we handle your personal data, please
refer to our Privacy Policy

or email us at: privacy@hethelinnovation.com

10. Changes to this Policy
We will update this notice whenever our processing changes. The latest version will always
be published here, with the effective date shown at the top.

Last Updated 4 March 2026