Privacy Policy

Last updated: 11 September 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Essex Pet Services Direct collects, uses and protects personal information when you use our website, contact us or submit information for a business or service listing.

Essex Pet Services Direct is operated by Terence James Allington trading as Essex Pet Services Direct.

Website: essexpetservicesdirect.co.uk
Email: contact@essexpetservicesdirect.co.uk

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use the website.

If you submit a business or service listing, we may collect information including:

your name;
email address;
business or service name;
location and service area;
postcode;
details about the services you provide;
information about your experience;
business descriptions and listing information;
website and social media links;
logos, photographs and videos;
your chosen listing type;
declarations and consents submitted through the listing form; and
correspondence between you and Essex Pet Services Direct.

If you contact us directly, we may also collect the information contained in your message and any contact details you provide.

2. Information Published On The Website

Some information submitted through the List Your Service form is intended to appear publicly as part of your listing.

This may include:

business or service name;
general service area;
services offered;
business descriptions;
website or social media links;
logos;
photographs;
videos; and
other information you have provided for publication.

We will not intentionally publish private contact or administrative information that is not intended to form part of your public listing.

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information to:

receive and review listing submissions;
create and maintain listings;
contact providers about their listings;
respond to enquiries;
administer Standard and Enhanced listings;
process renewals or changes to listings;
maintain records relating to the operation of the website;
prevent misuse, fraud or security problems;
comply with legal obligations; and
improve the operation of Essex Pet Services Direct.

We do not sell personal information to advertisers or other businesses.

4. Our Legal Basis For Using Personal Information

Under UK data protection law, we must have a lawful reason for processing personal information.

Depending on the circumstances, we may process information because:

it is necessary to provide a listing or other service you have requested;
it is necessary for our legitimate interests in operating, maintaining and protecting Essex Pet Services Direct;
you have given consent for a particular use, such as publishing information, photographs or other material as part of your listing; or
we are required to process information to comply with a legal obligation.

Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw that consent where applicable.

5. Listing Photographs, Logos And Videos

Businesses and service providers may upload logos, photographs or videos for use in their listings.

These files may be stored within our website systems and used to create and display the relevant listing.

By submitting this material, you confirm that you have the right or permission to provide it for publication.

You may contact us if you want published material removed or changed.

6. Form Submissions

Information entered into forms on Essex Pet Services Direct may be stored securely within the website administration system and may also be sent to us by email.

When you submit the List Your Service form, we may retain the submission so that we can review, create, administer and maintain your listing.

Uploaded files may also be stored within the website’s media or form-management systems.

7. Email Communications

If you submit a form or contact us, we may use your email address to:

confirm that your submission has been received;
ask for additional information;
tell you about the status of your listing;
deal with changes or renewals; or
respond to your enquiry.

We will not add you to unrelated marketing communications merely because you submitted a listing or contacted us.

8. Payments

Where a provider pays for a Standard or Enhanced Listing, information relating to the transaction may be retained for accounting, administrative and legal purposes.

If payments are processed through a third-party payment provider, that provider may process payment information under its own privacy policy.

Essex Pet Services Direct does not need to store full card details where payments are handled by an external payment provider.

9. Technical Information

When somebody visits the website, technical information may automatically be generated by our website, hosting provider or security systems.

This may include:

IP address;
browser type;
device information;
date and time of access;
pages visited;
technical logs; and
information used to detect security problems or misuse.

This information may be used to operate, protect and maintain the website.

10. Cookies

Essex Pet Services Direct may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the website to function correctly.

Additional cookies may be used where website features, analytics or third-party services require them.

Where consent is legally required for non-essential cookies, users will be given an appropriate choice.

Browser settings can also be used to control or delete cookies.

11. Who We May Share Information With

We may share personal information with organisations that help us operate Essex Pet Services Direct, such as providers of:

website hosting;
email services;
website forms;
security and backups;
technical support;
payment processing; or
other services required to operate the website.

These organisations should only process information as necessary to provide their services.

We may also disclose information where required by law, a court, regulatory authority or law-enforcement body.

12. External Links

Listings may include links to third-party websites, social media pages or booking systems.

Once you leave Essex Pet Services Direct, the privacy practices of the external website or service apply.

We are not responsible for how third-party websites collect or use personal information.

13. How Long We Keep Information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

Listing information may be kept while a listing is active and for a reasonable period afterwards for administration, record keeping, dispute handling or legal purposes.

Financial or transaction records may be retained for the period required by law.

Information that is no longer required may be deleted, anonymised or securely removed.

14. Keeping Information Secure

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

However, no website, email system or online service can guarantee complete security.

Users should avoid sending unnecessary sensitive information through website forms or email.

15. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on the circumstances, UK data protection law may give you rights including the right to:

ask for access to personal information we hold about you;
ask for inaccurate information to be corrected;
ask for personal information to be deleted in certain circumstances;
ask us to restrict how information is used;
object to certain uses of your information;
request transfer of information in certain circumstances; and
withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.

These rights are subject to legal conditions and exemptions.

To make a privacy request, contact:

contact@essexpetservicesdirect.co.uk

We may need to confirm your identity before dealing with a request.

16. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we use your personal information, please contact us first so that we can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator responsible for data protection.

17. Children

Essex Pet Services Direct is intended primarily for adults looking for pet services or advertising pet-related businesses and services.

We do not intentionally collect personal information from children through the List Your Service process.

18. Changes To This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when the website, our services or legal requirements change.

The latest version will be published on this page and the “Last updated” date will be changed accordingly.

19. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, contact:

Essex Pet Services Direct
Email: contact@essexpetservicesdirect.co.uk
Website: essexpetservicesdirect.co.uk