Last Updated: March 21, 2026
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and understanding how you use our platform.
Cookies typically contain:
We use cookies to:
These cookies are necessary for the platform to function. You cannot opt out of these cookies as they are required for basic functionality.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Maintains your logged-in session across pages. Without this, you would be logged out after each page load. | Session (deleted when browser closes) |
| user_auth | Stores your authentication token securely to keep you logged in. | 7 days (or until logout) |
| csrf_token | Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks when you submit forms. | Session |
| cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie preferences so we don't ask you repeatedly. | 1 year |
These cookies enhance your experience but are not essential. You can opt out of these.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| preferred_view | Remembers your display preferences (grid/list view, sort order, etc.) | 30 days |
| notification_settings | Stores your notification preferences to avoid repeated prompts. | 90 days |
| last_visited | Helps show you what's new since your last visit. | 30 days |
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our platform. All data is anonymized.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics: Distinguishes unique visitors (anonymized) | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics: Distinguishes users (anonymized) | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics: Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| platform_analytics | Our internal analytics: Page views, clicks, time on site (anonymized) | 1 year |
Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages:
Provider: Google LLC
Purpose: Website analytics (anonymized)
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Provider: Google LLC
Purpose: Load custom fonts for better typography
Data Collected: IP address, browser type (no cookies stored)
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
We do NOT use:
When you first visit our platform, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the footer.
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
To opt out of Google Analytics across all websites:
| Duration Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Deleted when you close your browser | PHPSESSID, csrf_token |
| Persistent | Remain until expiration date or manual deletion | user_auth (7 days), _ga (2 years) |
Set directly by our website (harrogatepulse.co.uk). We have full control over these.
Examples: user_auth, preferred_view, platform_analytics
Set by external services we use (e.g., Google Analytics). We don't control these but choose reputable, GDPR-compliant providers.
Examples: _ga, _gid (Google Analytics)
In addition to cookies, we may use:
Stores data in your browser (similar to cookies but more capacity).
We use it for:
Similar to local storage but cleared when you close the browser tab.
We use it for:
Control: You can clear local/session storage through your browser's developer tools or by clearing browsing data.
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals.
Our approach:
Our platform is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly place cookies on devices used by children. If you're a parent and believe your child has used our platform, please contact us at privacy@harrogatepulse.co.uk.
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
When we make significant changes:
Chrome/Edge: Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → Cookies
Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Data → Cookies
Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All
You can clear our cookies by:
If you have questions about how we use cookies:
Email: privacy@harrogatepulse.co.uk
Subject: Cookie Policy Question
Response Time: Within 5 business days
For general privacy questions, see our Privacy Policy.