Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Local Business News (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, and shares personal data when you use www.localbusinessnews.co.uk (the “Website”).

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data transparently in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are (Data Controller)

Website: www.localbusinessnews.co.uk
Data Controller: Local Business News
Contact: [Insert contact email]
Postal address (optional): [Insert address]

If you have any questions about this policy or your data, you can contact us using the details above.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

Depending on how you use the Website, we may collect:

a) Data you provide directly

  • Name (if you submit a form)

  • Email address

  • Phone number (if you choose to provide it)

  • Business name and business details (if you submit a listing or news)

  • Content of messages you send to us (contact forms, emails, submissions)

b) Data collected automatically

When you browse the site, we may collect:

  • IP address

  • Browser type and device information

  • Pages viewed and time spent on pages

  • Referring/exit pages

  • Approximate location (city/region level)

  • Cookie and tracking identifiers (where applicable)

c) Comments (if enabled)

If comments are enabled, we may collect the details you enter in the comment form and your IP address for spam prevention.

3. How We Use Your Data

We use personal data to:

  • Respond to enquiries and messages

  • Review and publish business submissions/news tips (where relevant)

  • Improve website performance, security, and user experience

  • Monitor analytics and measure content performance

  • Prevent fraud, spam, and misuse

  • Comply with legal obligations

  • Send emails you have requested (e.g., newsletters) — if enabled

4. Legal Bases for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process personal data under one or more of these legal bases:

  • Consent: where you opt-in (e.g., newsletter sign-up, non-essential cookies)

  • Legitimate interests: to run, secure, and improve the Website, respond to enquiries, and prevent abuse

  • Contract: where processing is necessary to provide a service you request (e.g., handling a paid feature/listing if applicable)

  • Legal obligation: where we must comply with laws or regulatory requirements

5. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to help the Website function and to understand how visitors use it.

Cookies may include:

  • Essential cookies (needed for core site functions)

  • Analytics cookies (to understand visitor behaviour)

  • Marketing cookies (only if used and only with consent)

You can control cookies through:

  • Our cookie banner/settings (if enabled)

  • Your browser settings (block/delete cookies)

If you run Google Analytics or similar tools, you should also publish a separate Cookie Policy page (recommended).

6. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell personal data.

We may share personal data with trusted third parties only when necessary, such as:

  • Website hosting providers

  • Email service providers (if you use newsletters)

  • Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)

  • Spam prevention tools (e.g., reCAPTCHA / Akismet)

  • Professional advisers (accountants/legal advisers) when required

  • Authorities where legally required (e.g., law enforcement)

Third parties are only permitted to process data for specific purposes and in line with appropriate safeguards.

7. International Transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the UK.

Where international transfers occur, we take steps to ensure adequate safeguards, such as:

  • UK adequacy regulations, or

  • Standard contractual clauses (or equivalent safeguards)

8. Data Retention

We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Typical examples:

  • Contact form enquiries: retained for up to [e.g., 12 months]

  • Submissions or business listing communications: retained for up to [e.g., 24 months]

  • Analytics data: retained based on your analytics settings [e.g., 14 months]

You can request deletion at any time (see Section 10).

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including access controls and security monitoring.

However, no internet transmission is 100% secure. You use the Website at your own risk.

10. Your Rights (UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Correct inaccurate data

  • Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Restrict processing

  • Object to processing (especially direct marketing)

  • Data portability (in certain circumstances)

  • Withdraw consent at any time (where consent applies)

To exercise any rights, contact us at: [Insert contact email].

11. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you can complain to the UK regulator:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
You can find their contact details via the ICO website.

We’d appreciate the chance to resolve concerns first—please contact us directly.

12. Third-Party Links

Our Website may include links to third-party websites (e.g., business websites, social platforms). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies separately.

13. Children’s Privacy

This Website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us and we will remove it.

14. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with the “Last updated” date.

15. Contact Us

For privacy enquiries or data requests:

Website: www.localbusinessnews.co.uk