What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function, remember preferences, and provide site owners with information about how their site is used.
Cookies set by the site you are visiting are "first-party cookies." Cookies set by other organisations (for example, Google Analytics) are "third-party cookies."
The law governing cookies in the UK is the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), alongside the UK GDPR. PECR requires us to obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device, and to be transparent about what cookies we use and why.
What cookies we use
We use a minimal number of cookies. We do not use advertising, targeting, or social media tracking cookies, and we do not place cookies that track you across other websites.
2.1 Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function and are placed automatically without your consent, as permitted under PECR Regulation 6(4). They do not store personally identifiable information.
| Cookie name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Necessary | Stores your cookie preference (accepted or declined) so we do not ask on every visit. | 12 months |
| netlify-session | Necessary | Set by Netlify (our hosting provider) to manage form submissions and security. Only set if you submit a contact form. | Session |
2.2 Analytics cookies
These cookies are only placed if you choose to accept them via our consent banner. They help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it. Data is collected in anonymised, aggregated form — we cannot identify individual visitors.
| Cookie name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Analytics (consent required) | Google Analytics. Assigns a randomly generated number to distinguish unique users for visit, session, and campaign reporting. | 14 months |
| _ga_[ID] | Analytics (consent required) | Google Analytics. Persists session state across pages for our specific Analytics property. | 14 months |
We have configured Google Analytics to anonymise IP addresses and apply the minimum data retention period of 14 months. We do not use Google Analytics for advertising or remarketing.
2.3 Cookies we do not use
We do not use: advertising or targeting cookies; social media tracking cookies (e.g. Facebook Pixel); cross-site tracking cookies; or cookies storing sensitive personal data.
How we obtain your consent
When you first visit our website, a consent banner gives you a clear choice to accept or decline analytics cookies. The banner:
- clearly identifies which cookies require consent;
- makes accepting and declining equally prominent — no pre-ticked boxes or dark patterns;
- does not treat continued browsing or scrolling as consent;
- records your choice for 12 months.
Strictly necessary cookies are placed immediately as they are required for the website to operate. No consent is required for these under PECR Regulation 6(4). Analytics cookies are only placed after you have actively chosen to accept them.
How to manage or withdraw your consent
4.1 Via our cookie settings
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie settings" link in our website footer. Your updated preference will be saved for 12 months.
4.2 Via your browser
Most browsers allow you to view, delete, or block cookies. Instructions for common browsers:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
Blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of some websites, including ours — for example, our contact form requires session cookies to work correctly.
4.3 Google Analytics opt-out
You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting data across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Cookies on websites we build for clients
This Cookie Policy covers only mortarandpixel.co.uk. Each website we build for a client is a separate website with its own data practices and requires its own Cookie Policy.
5.1 Which cookies appear on client websites
The cookies present on a client website depend on the services included in their package:
| Package | Strictly necessary cookies | Analytics (Google Analytics) | Consent banner required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Yes — session and consent cookies | No | Minimal cookies notice only |
| Growth | Yes — session and consent cookies | No | Minimal cookies notice only |
| Pro | Yes — session and consent cookies | Yes — Google Analytics 4 | Full accept/decline consent banner (PECR requirement) |
For Starter and Growth sites, a cookie notice is sufficient because no non-essential cookies are placed. For Pro sites with Google Analytics, a full consent mechanism is a legal requirement under PECR — analytics cookies must not be placed before the visitor actively accepts them.
5.2 Client responsibilities
As the website owner and data controller for your own site, you are legally responsible for ensuring your website's cookie practices comply with PECR and UK GDPR. We provide a cookie consent banner and a tailored Cookie Policy as part of our delivery, but if you subsequently add third-party services (such as social media pixels, additional analytics, or advertising tools), you must update your Cookie Policy and consent mechanism accordingly.
ICO guidance for small businesses: ico.org.uk/for-organisations/advice-for-small-organisations/privacy-notices-and-cookies
Changes to this policy and contact
6.1 Changes
We will update this Cookie Policy if we add, change, or remove cookies. Material changes will be notified by updating the date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, displaying a new consent banner so you can review and confirm your preferences.
6.2 Contact us
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07707 708422
Trading name: Mortar & Pixel (Jamie Walker)
Location: Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England
For independent advice on cookies and your privacy rights, contact the ICO at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
This Cookie Policy was last updated in June 2026. Mortar & Pixel is the trading name of Jamie Walker, sole trader, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England.