Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Black Pastel uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
Cookies help parts of the website function properly, improve security and, where applicable, remember choices you make while using the site.
At a glance
Key information
Under UK rules, websites must give clear information about cookies, and cookies that are not strictly necessary generally need consent before they are used. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Based on the kind of website and systems Black Pastel runs, the cookies most likely to be used are essential session and security cookies, along with payment-security cookies where Stripe is involved. Stripe states that Stripe.js may set cookies including __stripe_mid, __stripe_sid and m. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Strictly necessary cookies
These help core parts of the website work properly, such as page requests, security checks, form handling and session management.
Payment and fraud prevention
Where payment tools such as Stripe are used, cookies may be set to support fraud prevention, authentication and payment security.
Consent and preferences
If a cookie banner or preferences tool is shown, a cookie or local storage item may be used to remember that choice.
Future analytics or marketing
If analytics, advertising or other non-essential tracking is added later, those tools may require consent before they are activated. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Full Cookie Policy
This page explains what cookies are, which ones we may use, and how you can manage them.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They can help a site function properly, remember settings, improve security, and in some cases measure usage or support advertising.
2. How we use cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to support the operation, security and performance of our website and any systems connected to it.
The ICO says organisations must provide clear and comprehensive information about their use of cookies, and must obtain consent for cookies that are not strictly necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
3. Cookies we may use
| Type | Example | Purpose | Usually required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session / essential | PHPSESSID |
Keeps parts of the website working properly, such as forms, sessions and secure page behaviour. | Yes |
| Security | Session or security token cookies | Helps protect forms, sessions and secure actions from misuse or malicious requests. | Yes |
| Payment / fraud prevention | __stripe_mid, __stripe_sid, m |
Supports payment security, fraud prevention and authentication where Stripe is used. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} | Where relevant |
| Preferences | cookie_consent or similar |
Stores whether a visitor has already seen or responded to a cookie notice. | Where relevant |
| Analytics | Varies by provider | Would measure usage and performance if analytics tools are added in future. | Only if enabled later |
4. Strictly necessary cookies
Some cookies can be used without consent where they are genuinely necessary for the service requested by the user or for another recognised exemption. The ICO’s guidance explains the “strictly necessary” exception and warns that if a cookie is also used for another secondary purpose, it may no longer qualify as strictly necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
For Black Pastel, this may include cookies used for session handling, secure form submissions, login or admin access, and payment-security behaviour where relevant.
5. Analytics, advertising and other non-essential cookies
If we add analytics, advertising or other non-essential tracking technologies in future, we will update this policy and, where required, request consent before those cookies are set. The ICO states that non-essential cookies require an appropriate consent mechanism, and online advertising purposes are not treated as strictly necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
6. Managing cookie choices
You can usually manage cookies through your browser settings. Depending on the tools used on the site, you may also see a cookie banner or preferences control.
The ICO has said consent controls for non-essential cookies must be meaningful, and refusal should be as easy as acceptance. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
7. Third-party services
Some services used on the website may involve third-party providers setting cookies or similar technologies, for example payment providers such as Stripe.
If you use a payment form or checkout connected to Stripe, Stripe may set cookies through Stripe.js, including fraud-prevention and authentication-related cookies. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the website, the tools we use, or legal requirements.
Questions about this policy can be sent to hello@blackpastel.co.uk.