Privacy Policy

1. About this Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website or contact us.

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

2. Who We Are

Ellie Thomas of Melrose Studio Chichester operates this website, which is hosted by Squarespace.

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, you can contact us at:
Email: elliethomasbusiness@hotmail.com
Postal Address: 3 Baffins Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1UA

3. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following information:

  • Information you provide directly – for example, when you fill out a contact form, sign up to a mailing list, make an enquiry, or purchase a product or service. This may include your name, email address, phone number, and any message or details you share.

  • Website usage data – collected automatically through Squarespace Analytics or similar tools, such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited. This information is aggregated and anonymous.

  • Cookies – used to ensure our website functions properly and to understand visitor behaviour. You can read more in our Cookie Policy.

4. How We Use Your Data

  • We use your personal data to:

    • Respond to enquiries or requests you send us.

    • Provide our services and manage our relationship with you.

    • Send relevant updates, offers, or newsletters (if you’ve opted in).

    • Improve our website, products, and services.

    • Comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

    We will never sell your data or share it for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

5. Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following lawful grounds:

  • Consent – when you have given clear permission (e.g. subscribing to a mailing list).

  • Contract – when processing is necessary to provide the service or information you’ve requested.

  • Legal obligation – when we are required by law to process certain data.

  • Legitimate interests – for purposes such as improving our website or communicating with you about relevant services, provided these interests do not override your rights.

6. How We Store and Protect Your Data

Your data is stored securely within Squarespace’s systems and any other trusted third-party tools we use (for example, email providers or payment processors).

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

We only retain your data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes it was collected for, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

7. Sharing Your Data

We may share your data with trusted service providers who help us operate our business — for example, email marketing services, payment processors, or IT providers.

These third parties only process your data on our instructions and are required to keep it secure and confidential.

We do not transfer your data outside the UK or EEA unless adequate protection measures are in place.

8. Your Rights

You have the following rights under UK data protection law:

  • The right to access a copy of your personal data.

  • The right to correct or update your information.

  • The right to request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”).

  • The right to restrict or object to certain processing.

  • The right to data portability (transfer of your data to another provider).

  • The right to withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the basis for processing).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at elliethomasbusiness@hotmail.com

9. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites.

10. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our business practices. Any updates will appear on this page with a new “last updated” date.

Last updated: 7th October 2025