Cookies Policy

Last updated: April 14, 2026

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They're widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies allow websites to recognize your device, remember your preferences, and improve your browsing experience. They can store information such as your language preferences, login status, or items in a shopping basket.

How We Use Cookies

shade-code uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website, understand how visitors interact with our site, and improve our services.

We're transparent about the cookies we use and give you control over non-essential cookies through our cookie consent banner and preferences center.

Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and functionality:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, services you've requested cannot be provided.

Essential cookies include:

  • Cookie Consent Cookies: Remember your cookie preferences so we don't ask you repeatedly
  • Session Cookies: Enable navigation between pages without losing your place
  • Security Cookies: Help identify and prevent security risks

You cannot refuse essential cookies through our cookie banner as they're necessary for the website to work. However, you can disable them through your browser settings, though this may affect website functionality.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data helps us improve our website structure, content, and user experience.

Information collected may include:

  • Pages visited and time spent on each page
  • Navigation paths through the website
  • Links clicked and buttons pressed
  • Browser type and device information
  • Referring website or search terms used

We use this information in aggregate form to identify trends and improve our website. Analytics cookies don't collect personal information that directly identifies you.

Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies track your activity across websites to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. They're usually placed by third-party advertising networks with our permission.

These cookies:

  • Remember websites you've visited
  • Share this information with other organizations such as advertisers
  • Enable targeted advertising based on your interests
  • Limit the number of times you see an advertisement
  • Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns

We only use marketing cookies with your explicit consent, and you can withdraw consent at any time through our cookie preferences center.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

Cookies can be classified based on who sets them:

First-Party Cookies

These are cookies set directly by shade-code. They're used to provide functionality and collect analytics about our website. We have full control over these cookies and the data they collect.

Third-Party Cookies

These are cookies set by external services we use, such as analytics providers or social media platforms. These organizations may use the information collected for their own purposes, subject to their privacy policies.

We carefully select third-party services and only work with providers who respect data protection standards. However, we don't control third-party cookies directly.

Session Cookies vs Persistent Cookies

Cookies can also be categorized by how long they last:

Session Cookies

These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They're used to remember your actions during a single browsing session, such as pages visited or services used.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them manually. They remember your preferences across multiple visits, making your experience more convenient. For example, a persistent cookie might remember your cookie preferences so we don't show the banner every time you visit.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies on our website:

Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner asking for your consent. You can choose to:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Access cookie settings to customize your preferences

Cookie Preferences Center

You can access our cookie preferences center at any time by clicking the cookie settings option in the banner or footer. Here you can:

  • View detailed information about each cookie category
  • Enable or disable non-essential cookie categories
  • Save your preferences

Your preferences are saved and applied to your current and future visits. You can change these preferences at any time.

Browser Settings

All modern browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

  • View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Block all cookies from specific websites
  • Block all cookies entirely
  • Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Each browser has different procedures for managing cookies. Here are links to common browsers' cookie management instructions:

  • Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
  • Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

Note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience. Some features may not work correctly if you disable certain cookies.

Specific Cookies We Use

The following table provides details about the specific cookies used on our website:

Essential Cookies

Cookie Name: cookie_consent
Purpose: Stores your cookie consent preferences
Duration: 12 months
Type: First-party persistent cookie

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies only when you've given consent. These help us understand website usage patterns and improve our services.

Purpose: Track page views, session duration, and user interactions
Duration: Varies, typically 24 months
Type: May include both first-party and third-party cookies

Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:

Web Beacons

Also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs, these are tiny graphics with a unique identifier that function similarly to cookies. They're used to track user movements around a website and to understand email open rates.

Local Storage

Modern browsers support local storage, which allows websites to store information locally on your device. Unlike cookies, this information isn't transmitted to our servers with every request. We may use local storage for performance optimization and to enhance user experience.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature that signals to websites that you don't want your online activities tracked. Currently, there's no industry consensus on how to respond to Do Not Track signals, and our website doesn't specifically respond to these signals.

However, you can control cookies through our cookie preferences center and your browser settings as described above.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. We'll post the updated version on our website with a revised date.

If we make significant changes to how we use cookies, we'll notify you through our website or by other means. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Impact of Refusing Cookies

If you choose to refuse cookies, particularly essential cookies, you may experience limitations in website functionality:

  • We may not remember your cookie preferences, showing the consent banner on each visit
  • Some interactive features may not work correctly
  • We won't be able to provide personalized content or remember your preferences
  • Navigation and user experience may be less smooth

Refusing analytics or marketing cookies won't affect core website functionality but will limit our ability to improve our services based on usage data.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 18, and we don't knowingly collect information from children through cookies or other means. If you believe we've inadvertently collected such information, please contact us so we can delete it promptly.

Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookies Policy, please contact us:

shade-code
42 Colmore Row
Birmingham B3 2BS
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]

Related Policies

For more information about how we protect your privacy, please review: