Cookie Policy

Last updated: 29 August 2026

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small files or similar technologies that are stored on your computer, phone or other device when you visit a website.

They can be used to make a website work, remember preferences, understand how visitors use a website or provide content from other services.

The law requires websites to provide information about the cookies and similar technologies they use. Non-essential cookies generally require the visitor's consent before they are used.

2. Cookies used on The Local Hand website

The Local Hand's website is hosted by Squarespace.

Our website may use:

• essential Squarespace cookies;

• Squarespace analytics cookies;

• Google Analytics 4 cookies;

• YouTube cookies and similar technologies; and

• technologies associated with embedded Google Maps.

We do not currently use the Meta Pixel or Facebook/Instagram tracking cookies for advertising.

3. Essential cookies

Some cookies are necessary for the website to operate correctly and securely.

These may be used by Squarespace for purposes such as:

• website security;

• maintaining website sessions;

• technical functionality; and

• basic website operation.

Because these cookies are necessary for the website to function, they may be used without consent where they fall within the applicable legal exemption.

4. Squarespace analytics cookies

Squarespace may use analytics and performance cookies to help us understand how visitors use our website.

These may include cookies such as:

ss_cvr

ss_cvt

and other Squarespace analytics cookies depending on the features and configuration of the website.

These cookies may collect information about website visits and visitor behaviour.

They are not necessary for the basic operation of the website and will therefore be subject to our cookie consent settings.

Squarespace explains that its analytics cookies can be restricted using its cookie and privacy settings.

5. Google Analytics 4 cookies

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand general visitor activity on our website.

Google Analytics may use cookies including:

_ga

and cookies beginning with:

ga

These cookies help Google Analytics distinguish visitors and maintain information about website sessions.

We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and improve our website.

Google Analytics cookies are non-essential and should only be placed after the appropriate visitor consent has been provided.

Squarespace's current Google Analytics integration supports consent through the Squarespace cookie banner.

6. YouTube cookies

Our website contains an embedded YouTube video.

When the video or YouTube content is loaded, YouTube or Google may use cookies and similar technologies.

These may include:

YSC

VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE

VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA

The exact cookies used by YouTube may change from time to time.

YouTube cookies are third-party cookies and are not necessary for the basic operation of our website.

Where supported by Squarespace, YouTube content and associated technologies will be subject to the cookie consent settings on our website. Squarespace specifically identifies YouTube as a service that can work with its cookie-banner consent mechanism.

7. Google Maps

Our website may contain an embedded Google Map showing the general area where The Local Hand provides services.

Google may use cookies or similar technologies when the map is loaded.

These technologies are provided by Google and may be subject to Google's own privacy practices.

8. Meta Pixel

The Local Hand previously used a Meta Pixel in connection with advertising.

The Meta Pixel has now been removed from our website.

We do not currently use the Meta Pixel or Facebook/Instagram tracking for advertising purposes.

If this changes in the future, we will review our cookie settings and update this Cookie Policy before introducing the technology.

9. Managing your cookie choices

When you first visit our website, our cookie banner allows you to make choices about non-essential cookies.

Depending on the options enabled on our website, you may be able to:

• accept all cookies;

• decline non-essential cookies; or

• manage your cookie preferences.

You can change your preferences using the cookie controls provided on our website.

We do not treat simply continuing to browse the website as consent to non-essential cookies. Consent should involve a clear positive action.

10. Browser controls

You can also control or delete cookies through your browser settings.

Most browsers allow you to:

• view cookies;

• delete cookies;

• block cookies;

• block third-party cookies; or

• receive a warning before cookies are stored.

Please note that blocking all cookies may affect the way some websites function.

11. Third-party services

Some features of our website are provided by third parties, including Google, YouTube and Squarespace.

These providers may process information in accordance with their own privacy policies.

Our Cookie Policy explains the main technologies we use, but the exact cookies used by third-party services can change over time.

We periodically review the cookies and similar technologies used on our website.

The ICO recommends that organisations keep their cookie information comprehensive and review their use of cookies and similar technologies regularly.

12. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy if we introduce new services, change the way our website operates or change the technologies used on the website.

The latest version will always be available on this website.

Last updated: 29 August 2026