Cookie Policy - PWS Financial Southport

Website: pwsfinancialsouthport.co.uk
Effective date: 27 July 2026
Last reviewed: 27 July 2026

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how PWS Financial Consulting Limited uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit pwsfinancialsouthport.co.uk.

It should be read alongside our:

Privacy Policy; and
Website Terms and Conditions.

Cookies and similar technologies may be used to operate the website, maintain security, remember your choices, understand how visitors use the website and support certain third-party services.

The rules governing cookies and similar technologies are mainly contained in the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, commonly known as PECR.

2. Who We Are

The website is operated on behalf of:

PWS Financial Consulting Limited
4th Floor, Exchange Station
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2QP

Telephone: 01704 827403
Email: stevemilford@pwsfc.co.uk

PWS Financial Consulting Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

3. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other device when you visit a website.

They allow websites to recognise a device and may store information about:

your website preferences;
your session;
pages you visit;
how you interact with the website;
your browser and device; and
whether you have accepted or rejected certain cookies.

Some cookies last only while your browser remains open. Others remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.

4. Similar Technologies

This policy also covers technologies that perform a similar function to cookies, including:

tracking pixels;
tags;
scripts;
local storage;
software development kits;
device identifiers; and
other technologies that store or access information on your device.

PECR can apply to any technology that stores information on, or accesses information from, a user’s device—not only conventional browser cookies.

5. Types of Cookies We May Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function properly.

They may be used to:

maintain website security;
manage website sessions;
remember your cookie preferences;
operate contact forms;
prevent fraudulent or malicious activity;
balance website traffic; and
provide services specifically requested by you.

Strictly necessary cookies cannot normally be switched off through the cookie banner because the website may not function correctly without them.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features.

They may remember:

accessibility settings;
language preferences;
display preferences;
form selections; and
other customised features.

Where these cookies are not essential to provide a service you have requested, they will only be used with your permission.

Analytics and Performance Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the website.

They may collect information about:

the pages visited;
the time spent on a page;
how visitors arrived at the website;
links selected;
browser and device type;
general geographical location; and
website errors or performance issues.

We may use this information to improve the website, identify technical problems and understand which content is most useful.

Where consent is legally required, analytics cookies will not be activated until you have accepted them.

Marketing and Advertising Cookies

Marketing cookies may be used to:

measure the effectiveness of advertising;
create an understanding of visitor interests;
provide more relevant content or advertising;
limit how often an advertisement is displayed; and
track visits across different websites.

PWS Financial Consulting does not intend to use targeted advertising cookies unless they are clearly identified in the cookie banner and activated only after valid consent has been provided.

The ICO states that organisations should take particular care to obtain clear and specific consent for privacy-intrusive technologies, including behavioural tracking.

Embedded Content and Third-Party Cookies

Some pages may contain content supplied by third parties, such as:

videos;
maps;
social-media features;
appointment-booking tools;
secure portals;
analytics services; and
external forms.

These providers may place their own cookies or use similar technologies when you interact with their content.

Third-party cookies are controlled by the relevant provider and not directly by PWS Financial Consulting. You should review the provider’s own privacy and cookie information.

6. First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by pwsfinancialsouthport.co.uk.

They may be used for:

security;
essential website functions;
remembering cookie choices;
contact-form operation; and
website preferences.

Third-party cookies

Third-party cookies are set by another organisation whose service appears on or supports the website.

Examples may include services supplied by:

Google;
YouTube;
Google Maps;
WordPress;
website-security providers;
hosting providers;
analytics providers; and
embedded social-media platforms.

The precise providers used should be listed in the cookie table produced by the website’s cookie-consent system.

7. Cookies Used on This Website

The exact cookies used can change when:

WordPress is updated;
plugins are added, removed or updated;
embedded content changes;
analytics tools are introduced;
security services change; or
hosting arrangements are updated.

The website should display an up-to-date cookie list within its cookie banner or cookie settings panel.

A complete cookie audit should record:

Cookie or technology	Provider	Purpose	Category	Duration
Cookie-consent preference	PWS Financial Consulting or consent provider	Remembers whether cookies were accepted or rejected	Strictly necessary	To be confirmed
WordPress session or security cookies	WordPress or website host	Supports website operation, administration and security	Strictly necessary	Session or limited period
Contact-form security cookies	Form or security provider	Prevents spam and misuse	Strictly necessary	To be confirmed
Analytics cookies	Analytics provider, if enabled	Measures website use and performance	Analytics	To be confirmed
Embedded-media cookies	Relevant media provider, if used	Enables videos, maps or external content	Functional or marketing	To be confirmed

The entries above are categories and examples only. They must be replaced or supplemented with the actual cookie scan from the live website before publication.

When you first visit the website, you may be shown a cookie banner.

The banner should allow you to:

accept all optional cookies;
reject all optional cookies;
select individual cookie categories; and
read further information before making a decision.

Optional cookies should not be placed before a valid choice has been made where consent is required.

The ICO explains that users must receive clear and comprehensive information so they understand what consent is being requested and what choices are available.

Rejecting optional cookies should be as straightforward as accepting them.

Strictly necessary cookies may still be used because they are required to operate the website or provide a service you request.

You can change or withdraw your cookie choices at any time by selecting the Cookie Settings link displayed on the website.

Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any cookie use that took place before consent was withdrawn.

After changing your preferences, you may also wish to delete previously stored cookies through your browser settings.

10. Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to:

view stored cookies;
delete individual cookies;
block all cookies;
block third-party cookies;
clear cookies when the browser closes; and
receive a warning before cookies are placed.

The method varies between browsers and devices.

Blocking all cookies may prevent parts of the website from working correctly, including forms, preferences or secure functionality.

11. Analytics

Where website analytics are used, the information may help us understand:

how many people visit the website;
which pages are viewed;
how visitors navigate between pages;
whether pages load correctly;
which devices and browsers are used; and
how the website can be improved.

Where analytics information identifies or could identify an individual, it will also be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

We will not knowingly use analytics information to make personal financial decisions about website visitors.

The website may include embedded content from other websites.

Embedded content may behave as though you visited the third-party website directly. That provider may:

place cookies;
collect technical information;
monitor your interaction;
connect activity to an existing account; or
use information for analytics or advertising.

Where possible, embedded content should remain blocked until you consent to the relevant category of cookie.

13. Contact Forms

Cookies or similar security technologies may be used to:

process form submissions;
prevent automated spam;
protect the website from misuse; and
maintain form functionality.

Information submitted through a contact form is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Please do not submit passwords, complete bank details, identification documents or other highly sensitive information through the general website contact form.

Cookies remain on your device for different lengths of time.

Session cookies

Session cookies are usually deleted when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies

Persistent cookies remain until:

their stated expiry date;
you delete them;
the website removes them; or
the provider changes or withdraws them.

The duration of each cookie should be displayed in the website’s detailed cookie list.

15. Personal Information

Some cookies may collect information that amounts to personal data, including:

IP addresses;
online identifiers;
device information;
browsing behaviour; and
general location information.

Where cookie information is personal data, it will be processed in accordance with applicable data-protection law and our Privacy Policy.

Our Privacy Policy explains:

why we use personal data;
the lawful bases relied upon;
who information may be shared with;
how long it may be retained;
your data-protection rights; and
how to complain.

16. International Data Transfers

Some third-party providers may process cookie or analytics information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, the relevant provider and PWS Financial Consulting must use a lawful transfer mechanism where required.

Further information should be available in our Privacy Policy or the relevant third party’s privacy information.

17. Do Not Track and Browser Signals

Some browsers provide “Do Not Track” or similar privacy signals.

Website and third-party responses to these signals are not yet fully standardised. We will respect legally recognised browser or device choices where required and technically supported.

Your cookie choices made through the website’s consent tool will remain the primary way to manage optional cookies.

We may update this Cookie Policy when:

cookie laws or regulatory guidance change;
the website changes;
plugins or services are introduced or removed;
analytics arrangements change; or
third-party providers change their practices.

The latest version will be published on this page with an updated review date.

19. Contact Us

Questions about this Cookie Policy should be sent to:

PWS Financial Consulting Limited
4th Floor, Exchange Station
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2QP

Telephone: 01704 827403
Email: stevemilford@pwsfc.co.uk
Website: pwsfinancialsouthport.co.uk

20. Complaints

Please contact us first if you have concerns about our use of cookies or personal information.

You also have the right to raise data-protection concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Initial banner

We use cookies

We use essential cookies to operate and secure our website. With your permission, we would also like to use analytics and functional cookies to understand how the website is used and improve your experience.

Buttons:

Accept all
Reject optional cookies
Manage preferences

Preference categories

Strictly necessary cookies
Always active. These cookies are required for security and essential website functions.

Functional cookies
These remember preferences and support enhanced website features.

Analytics cookies
These help us understand website use and improve performance.

Marketing cookies
These support advertising or tracking across websites. Only activate this category if such technologies are genuinely used.

PWS Financial Consulting Cookie Policy