Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 31, 2026

1. Who we are

This website, tradesecretsuk.com, is operated by Trade Secrets UK Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”), a family-run decorating store based in Aberdeen. We are the “data controller” responsible for your personal data.

• Company: Trade Secrets UK Ltd, registered in Scotland, company number SC586800
• VAT number: 305472521
• Registered/trading address: Unit 11, Spires Business Park, Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9NY
• Phone: 01224 515929
• Email: info@tradesecretsuk.com

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, contact us using the details above.

2. What this policy covers

This policy explains what personal data we collect when you use our website, shop with us online or in store, contact us, or sign up to our marketing. It explains how we use that data, who we share it with, how long we keep it, and the rights you have under UK data protection law (the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).

3. The personal data we collect

Information you give us:

• Orders and payments: your name, billing and delivery address, email, phone number, and order details. Card payments are processed securely by our payment provider (Stripe); we do not see or store your full card details.
• Account: if you create an account, your name, contact details, password (stored encrypted) and order history.
• Trade accounts: if you apply for a trade account, business details and any information needed to set up trade pricing.
• Contact and enquiries: anything you tell us when you email, call, use a contact form, or ask for advice or a colour match.
• Marketing: your email address (and name) if you sign up to our newsletter.
• Reviews: any content you submit if you leave a review.

Information we collect automatically when you use the site:

• Your IP address, browser type and device information.
• Pages you visit, how you arrived, and how you interact with the site.
• Cookies and similar technologies (see section 5).

4. How we use your data, and our lawful basis

Under UK GDPR we must have a “lawful basis” for using your data. We use your data as follows:

• To process and deliver your orders, take payment, and provide customer service. Basis: performance of our contract with you.
• To manage your account and trade account. Basis: contract, and our legitimate interests in running the business.
• To meet legal and accounting obligations (for example keeping records for HMRC). Basis: legal obligation.
• To respond to your enquiries and give advice. Basis: legitimate interests in helping and serving customers.
• To send marketing emails about products, offers and news, where you have opted in. Basis: your consent (which you can withdraw at any time).
• To understand and improve the site, and to advertise, using analytics and advertising cookies. Basis: your consent (via the cookie banner).
• To prevent fraud and keep the site secure. Basis: legitimate interests.
• To display and respond to reviews. Basis: legitimate interests, and your consent where you submit a review.

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we have considered your rights and only proceed where those interests are not overridden.

5. Cookies and tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to make the site work, remember your preferences, understand how the site is used, and support our advertising. We group them as:

• Necessary/functional: required for the site, basket and checkout to work.
• Statistics/analytics: help us understand how visitors use the site (Google Analytics).
• Marketing: used to measure and improve our advertising (Google Ads).

When you first visit, our cookie banner lets you accept or decline non-essential cookies, and you can change your choices at any time via the “Manage consent” option. Non-essential cookies are only set with your consent. You can also control cookies through your browser settings.

6. Who we share your data with

We only share your data where necessary to run our business, and we never sell your personal data. We share data with:

• Stripe, to process card payments securely.
• Our delivery and courier partners, to fulfil and deliver your orders.
• MailerLite, to manage and send our marketing emails (only if you have opted in).
• Google (Google Analytics, Google Ads and Google Merchant Center), for website analytics, advertising and product listings, in line with your cookie choices.
• Trustpilot, to collect and display customer reviews.
• Our website host and IT providers (including 34SP.com), who keep the site running and secure.
• Professional advisers, such as our accountants, where needed.
• Authorities and regulators, where we are legally required to do so.

Each of these providers is required to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

7. International data transfers

Some of our providers (for example Stripe, Google and MailerLite) may process data outside the UK. Where they do, we rely on appropriate safeguards required by UK data protection law, such as UK “adequacy” decisions or standard contractual clauses / the International Data Transfer Agreement, so your data remains protected.

8. How long we keep your data

We keep your data only as long as necessary:

• Order and transaction records: kept for at least 6 years to meet tax and accounting obligations.
• Account information: kept while your account is active; you can ask us to close it at any time.
• Marketing data: kept until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent.
• Enquiries and correspondence: kept for a reasonable period to handle your query and any follow-up.

When data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymise it.

9. Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erase your data (“right to be forgotten”), where applicable.
• Restrict or object to certain processing, including direct marketing.
• Data portability, to receive your data in a usable format.
• Withdraw consent at any time (for example, unsubscribe from marketing).

To exercise any of these, contact us at info@tradesecretsuk.com or 01224 515929. We will respond within one month. There is normally no charge.

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ico.org.uk, helpline 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to put things right first, so please do contact us.

10. Keeping your data secure

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including secure hosting, encrypted connections (HTTPS) and secure payment processing. No online transmission is ever completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

11. Children’s privacy

Our website and services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

12. Links to other websites

Our site may link to other websites (for example manufacturer or review sites). We are not responsible for their privacy practices, and we encourage you to read their privacy policies.

13. Back-in-stock notifications

When you ask to be notified that an out-of-stock product is available again, we collect your email address for that single purpose. We use it only to send you one “back in stock” alert for the item you chose; we do not use it for marketing and we do not share it with third parties. We rely on your request as our lawful basis for processing this data. Your email address is held in our website’s waitlist only until that alert is sent, after which it is removed; you can also ask us to delete it sooner at any time by emailing info@tradesecretsuk.com. These notification emails are sent through our email provider, Brevo.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page, with the “Last updated” date shown at the top.

15. How to contact us

For any privacy questions or requests:
Trade Secrets UK Ltd, Unit 11, Spires Business Park, Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9NY. Phone 01224 515929. Email info@tradesecretsuk.com.