Privacy Policy
Effective Date:
Last Updated: 24/7/25
Virtually Hebden (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in a responsible, transparent, and secure way. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit our website or interact with us.
1. Who We Are
Virtually Hebden is an online community marketplace connecting independent businesses from Hebden Bridge with customers locally and beyond. Our website is:
www.virtuallyhebdenbridge.com
You can contact us at: virtuallyhebden@gmail.com
2. What Information We Collect
We collect the following personal data:
For Shoppers:
- Name, email, and address for orders
- Payment information (processed securely via Stripe)
- Purchase history
- Cookies and usage data (e.g. pages visited, IP address)
For Vendors:
- Business name, contact name, email, phone
- Business address and delivery terms
- Bank or Stripe account details for payments
- Product listings and descriptions
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Process orders and payments
- Provide customer support
- Notify you of account or order updates
- Share updates, promotions, and local campaigns (if opted in)
- Improve site performance and user experience
We do not sell your data. Ever.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Under the UK GDPR, our lawful bases include:
- Contractual necessity (e.g. processing your orders)
- Legitimate interest (e.g. improving our services)
- Consent (e.g. marketing emails — you can opt out anytime)
5. Sharing Your Data
We only share your data with:
- Vendors you purchase from (for fulfilment purposes)
- Stripe (for secure payment processing)
- Our email provider and analytics tools (for communication and insights)
We ensure all third parties follow GDPR standards.
6. Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccuracies
- Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
- Object to processing or direct marketing
- Withdraw consent at any time
To make a request, email: virtuallyhebden@gmail.com
7. Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Analyse how people use our site
- Improve functionality and loading speed
- Remember your preferences (e.g. saved carts)
You can adjust your browser settings or visit our Cookie Policy for full control.
8. How We Protect Your Data
We use:
- HTTPS encryption across the site
- Secure servers and firewalls
- Stripe for PCI-compliant payment processing
We regularly review our security protocols and restrict access to personal data.
9. How Long We Keep Your Data
We retain personal data:
- For active accounts, until you delete it
- For order records, for 6 years (as required for accounting/tax)
- For marketing lists, until you opt out
We anonymise or securely delete expired data.
10. Third Party Links
Our site may link to vendor websites or external platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes to our practices or legal obligations. We will notify users via email or a banner on our site.
12. Questions or Concerns?
We’re a small, local team and take your trust seriously. If you have questions or concerns, contact:
virtuallyhebden@gmail.com
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Thank you for shopping local, safely and securely.