Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

cobalt-vale is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use our website and services.

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

Name and contact details when you submit enquiries or service requests
Email correspondence related to your projects
Information relevant to historical research you commission, which may include family names, dates, and locations
Payment information for completed services

We also automatically collect certain technical information when you visit our website:

IP address and browser type
Pages visited and time spent on site
Referring website addresses

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

To respond to your enquiries and provide requested services
To conduct historical research on your behalf
To communicate with you about your projects
To process payments and maintain financial records
To improve our website and services
To comply with legal obligations

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

Contract performance: processing necessary to provide services you have requested
Legitimate interests: improving our services and website functionality
Consent: for marketing communications where applicable
Legal obligation: retaining records as required by law

Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties except:

With service providers who assist our operations under confidentiality agreements
When required by law or to protect our legal rights
With archives, libraries, or other institutions when necessary to conduct research on your behalf and with your knowledge

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include secure storage, encrypted communications where appropriate, and restricted access to personal data.

Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Research materials and project files are retained for seven years following project completion unless you request earlier deletion.

Your Rights

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances
Object to processing of your information
Request restriction of processing
Receive your data in a portable format
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Please refer to our Cookie Policy for detailed information about how we use cookies.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us at:

[email protected]

cobalt-vale
14 Archway Court
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 1TH
United Kingdom

Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data protection rights have been infringed. The ICO can be contacted at ico.org.uk.