1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text filesthat are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visita website. They are widely used to make websites work correctly, improveefficiency, and provide information to the owners of the site.
Cookies can be “first-party”(set by us directly) or “third-party” (set by external services we use). Theycan also be “session cookies” (deleted when you close your browser) or“persistent cookies” (which remain on your device for a set period or until youdelete them).
2. How We Use Cookies
GAP Group uses cookies ongapgroupuk.com for the following purposes:
• To ensure the website functions correctly and securely(essential cookies)
• To understand how visitors use our website and toimprove its performance (analytics cookies)
• To show relevant advertising to people who have visitedour site (marketing and retargeting cookies)
• To track interactions with our marketing communications(CRM tracking cookies)
Under the Privacy and ElectronicCommunications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, we are required to obtain yourconsent before placing any non-essential cookies on your device. We arecurrently implementing a cookie consent banner — in the meantime, please useyour browser settings to manage cookie preferences (see Section 5).
3. The Cookies We Use
3.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictlynecessary for the website to function. They cannot be switched off in oursystems and do not require your consent. They are usually set in response toactions you take, such as filling in a form or setting privacy preferences.
Cookie Name
Provider
Purpose
Type
Duration
__cf_bm
Cloudflare
Bot management and security
Essential
30 minutes
PHPSESSID / session
GAP Group
Maintains your session as you navigate the site
Essential
Session
cookieconsent_status
GAP Group
Stores your cookie consent preference
Essential
1 year
3.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understandhow visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting informationanonymously. This helps us improve our content and user experience.
Cookie Name
Provider
Purpose
Type
Duration
_ga
Google Analytics
Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number
Analytics
2 years
_ga_*
Google Analytics
Stores and counts page views for a specific GA4 property
Analytics
2 years
_gid
Google Analytics
Distinguishes users; used to throttle request rate
Analytics
24 hours
_gat
Google Analytics
Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics
Analytics
1 minute
3.3 Marketing & Retargeting Cookies
These cookies are set by ouradvertising and marketing partners. They may be used to build a profile of yourinterests and show you relevant adverts on other websites. They work byuniquely identifying your browser and device. Your consent is required forthese cookies.
Cookie Name
Provider
Purpose
Type
Duration
_gcl_au
Google Ads
Used by Google AdSense to experiment with advertisement efficiency
Marketing
3 months
IDE
Google Ads
Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report actions after seeing an ad
Marketing
1 year
_fbp
Meta (Facebook) Pixel
Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements and track conversions
Marketing
3 months
fr
Meta (Facebook)
Used by Facebook for targeted advertising
Marketing
3 months
li_fat_id
Used by LinkedIn Insight Tag for conversion tracking and retargeting
Marketing
30 days
bcookie
Browser identifier cookie used by LinkedIn for ad targeting
Marketing
1 year
lidc
Facilitates data centre selection for LinkedIn ad tracking
Marketing
24 hours
UserMatchHistory
LinkedIn Insight Tag — used for retargeting and audience matching
Marketing
30 days
3.4 CRM & Functional Tracking Cookies
These cookies are set byHubSpot, our CRM and marketing platform, to track interactions with our websiteand marketing emails, and to help us personalise your experience.
Cookie Name
Provider
Purpose
Type
Duration
hubspotutk
HubSpot
Tracks a visitor’s identity and session for lead tracking
CRM / Functional
180 days
__hstc
HubSpot
Tracks sessions and time between visits for analytics
CRM / Functional
180 days
__hssc
HubSpot
Tracks sessions within a visit
CRM / Functional
30 minutes
__hssrc
HubSpot
Detects whether a session has been restarted
CRM / Functional
Session
messagesUtk
HubSpot
Identifies returning visitors for the HubSpot messages tool
CRM / Functional
180 days
4. Third-Party Cookie Opt-Outs
You can opt out of third-partycookies directly via the providers listed below:
• Google Analytics:https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Google Ads personalisation:https://adssettings.google.com
• Meta (Facebook) Ad preferences:https://www.facebook.com/adpreferences
• LinkedIn Ad settings:https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out
• HubSpot: https://legal.hubspot.com/cookie-policy
You can also use the NetworkAdvertising Initiative’s opt-out tool at: https://optout.networkadvertising.org
5. How to Manage Cookies
You can control and managecookies in several ways:
5.1 Browser settings
Most web browsers allow you tomanage cookies through their settings. You can typically:
• View what cookies are stored on your device and deletethem individually or in bulk
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from particular websites
• Block all cookies
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Links to cookie managementguidance for common browsers:
• Google Chrome:https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
• Mozilla Firefox:https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
• Apple Safari:https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
• Microsoft Edge:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-in-microsoft-edge
Please note that disablingcertain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. In particular,blocking essential cookies may prevent the site from working correctly.
5.2 Cookie consent tool
We are in the process ofimplementing a cookie consent banner on our website, which will allow you toaccept or reject non-essential cookies when you first visit. Once live, youwill be able to update your preferences at any time via the cookie settings linkin the footer of our website.
6. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policyfrom time to time, for example if we add new cookies or change our use ofexisting ones. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will be revisedaccordingly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions aboutour use of cookies, please contact us:
GAP GROUP NORTH EAST LIMITED
Gap House, Nest Road, Gateshead,Tyne & Wear, NE10 0ES
Companies House No: 09903046
Email: media@gapgroupuk.com
Phone: 0191 438 6438
Website: www.gapgroupuk.com
