Privacy Policy for The Bijou Harrogate

At The Bijou Harrogate, your privacy is of paramount importance, and we are committed to protecting the personal data you entrust to us. This policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information in compliance with United Kingdom data protection laws, including the UK GDPR. We encourage you to read it carefully.

How We Collect and Use Your Data

We process your personal data to provide the boutique bed and breakfast services you expect, from managing your reservation to enhancing your stay with local insights. Our processing is grounded in legal bases such as contract fulfilment, legitimate interest, and your consent.

Data You Provide

We collect information directly from you when you interact with our services. This typically occurs during:

  • Making a booking or enquiry via our website, phone, or email.
  • Subscribing to our newsletter for offers and local guides.
  • Providing preferences or special requests for your stay.

The data we collect includes your name, contact details, payment information, and stay dates. We may use this information to provide tailored local recommendations, which could include information on Yorkshire casinos such as the Grosvenor Casino Leeds or events at York Racecourse, aligning with our editorial focus on local leisure and tourism.

Data We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical data is automatically collected, such as your IP address, browser type, and device information. This helps us ensure our site’s security and compatibility.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies—small text files stored on your device—to ensure core functionality and improve your browsing experience.

Essential Cookies

These are strictly necessary for the operation of our website, particularly for our booking system. They enable secure session management and are typically deleted when you close your browser.

Performance and Analytics Cookies

These optional cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our content. For instance, they show us which pages about Yorkshire racing courses or local attractions are most popular, allowing us to improve our site’s relevance. You can manage your cookie preferences via your browser settings.

Analytics and Performance Data

To refine our online presence and content, we utilise analytics services to gather aggregated data on website usage.

Purpose of Analytics

Analytics help us measure the effectiveness of our content, such as articles on Yorkshire casino tourism, and understand visitor demographics to better serve potential guests interested in Harrogate and wider Yorkshire.

Data Anonymisation

Where possible, we configure these tools to anonymise IP addresses and aggregate data, meaning it cannot be used to identify you personally.

Sharing Data with Third-Party Services

We only share your data with trusted third-party service providers under strict contractual agreements that mandate data protection.

Service Providers

This includes:

  • Secure payment processors (e.g., Stripe) to complete transactions.
  • Booking and property management platforms.
  • Email marketing services (only with your explicit consent for newsletters).

Legal Disclosures

We may disclose your information if required by law, to regulatory authorities, or to protect the rights and safety of The Bijou, our guests, or others.

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under the UK GDPR, you have significant rights regarding your personal data. You may exercise these at any time by contacting us.

Right to Access and Rectify

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to correct any inaccuracies.

Right to Erasure and Objection

You can request the deletion of your data or object to certain types of processing, such as direct marketing. We will comply unless we have a compelling legal reason to retain the information.

Data Retention and Security

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or to meet our legal, accounting, or regulatory obligations.

Retention Periods

For example, guest booking records are typically retained for a period stipulated by HMRC for tax purposes after your stay. Marketing contact data is kept until you unsubscribe or request erasure.

Security Measures

We implement robust technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. These include secure servers, encryption, and access controls.

Contact Us for Data Queries

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or to exercise your data rights, please get in touch with our designated contact.

Our Contact Details

For privacy requests, please email: [email protected], or write to us at: The Data Protection Contact, The Bijou, Harrogate, North Yorkshire [Postal Address]. We aim to respond to all legitimate enquiries within one month.

Complaints to the ICO

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK’s independent supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

This policy is reviewed regularly, and we encourage you to check this page for updates to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.