1. Introduction
NearbyTraders ("we", "us", or "our") operates the nearbytraders.co.uk website. This Privacy Policy explains our data practices in accordance with UK data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2. Data Controller
NearbyTraders is operated as a sole-trader project. The data controller for personal data collected through this website is the site operator, contactable at privacy@nearbytraders.co.uk.
3. Information We Collect
Trader Directory Data
Our website displays business information sourced from publicly available data, including:
- Business names
- Trade types and categories
- Addresses
- Ratings and review counts (from public sources)
- Latitude and longitude coordinates (for location-based search)
This data is collected from publicly available sources such as Google Business Profiles and is not personally identifiable information about your customers.
Listing Claim Submissions
When you submit a claim for a business listing, we collect:
- Business name
- Email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Business description (optional)
This information is submitted directly to Formspree (our form processor) and stored securely. We use this information only to verify and manage business listings on our directory.
Website Usage Data
We automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our website:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent
- Search queries (postcode, trade type, radius)
- Referring website
4. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies for:
- Analytics: Google Analytics to understand how users navigate our site
- Advertising: Google AdSense to display contextual ads (not yet active — see below); Google may use cookies to show ads based on your interests (in line with your consent preferences)
- Essential: Technical cookies necessary for the site to function
We use a consent banner to collect your analytics preferences. Google tags are blocked by default and only activated after you give explicit consent. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may limit functionality.
Consent mechanism
Our current consent mechanism is a self-hosted banner that blocks all non-essential Google tags until you accept. Before any advertising network is activated, this will be replaced with a certified Consent Management Platform (CMP) that meets IAB TCF requirements. This policy will be updated at that point.
Google AdSense and Personalized Advertising
Advertising features are not yet active on NearbyTraders. This policy will be updated before any ad network is enabled. When active, we intend to use Google AdSense, which may serve personalized advertisements. Google uses the DART cookie to serve ads based on your visits to this website and other websites on the internet.
You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings or About Ads. Opting out will not prevent you from seeing ads—it will only stop ads from being personalized based on your interests.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data under the following legal bases:
- Legitimate Interest: Operating our directory and improving our service
- Consent: For analytics and advertising cookies (with your consent)
- Contract: When processing listing claims (if you submit a form)
6. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may process your data:
- Formspree: Processes form submissions (listing claims). Formspree Privacy Policy
- Google Analytics: Analyzes website traffic. Google Privacy Policy
- Google AdSense: Displays advertising. Google Privacy Policy
- OpenStreetMap (Nominatim): Provides postcode geocoding. OSM Privacy
7. Data Retention
We retain data as follows:
- Listing claim submissions: Retained indefinitely for listing management purposes (you may request deletion)
- Analytics data: Aggregated, anonymized data is retained per Google Analytics policies
- Cookies: Session cookies are cleared when you close your browser; persistent cookies expire as configured
8. Your Rights Under GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right to Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)
- Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Right to Object: Opt out of certain processing activities
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@nearbytraders.co.uk.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. All form submissions to Formspree are encrypted in transit using HTTPS.
10. International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers (Google, Formspree) may process data outside the UK/EU. We ensure that such transfers are compliant with UK data protection laws, including the use of Standard Contractual Clauses where necessary.
11. Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such data, we will promptly delete it.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date below.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
- Email: privacy@nearbytraders.co.uk
- Website: nearbytraders.co.uk
Last Updated: February 2026