Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01.06.2025
Last Updated: 08.08.2025

Darlington Memorials Ltd we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard personal data across our websites and our physical retail stores.

This policy applies to:

Visitors to our websites: Darlington Memorials URL
Customers who contact or visit our physical branches in person
Anyone who makes enquiries or places orders with us

1. Who We Are

We are Memorial Masons offering bespoke headstones, memorials, and inscriptions via our websites and retail stores.

Data Controllers:
Darlington Memorials Ltd – Norton Road, Stockton On Tees, TS18 2DA
ICO Registration Numbers:

ZB911520

To contact us:
📧 Email: INFO@DARLINGTONMEMORIALS.CO.UK
📞 Phone: 01642 678590

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal data from you either online or in person:

Identity Data – full name, title, relationship to the deceased
Contact Data – phone number, email address, home address
Order Details – memorial type, inscription text, location, and details of the deceased (as provided by you)
Payment Data – payment history and invoice records (we do not store payment card numbers)
Communication Data – written correspondence, emails, notes from in-store conversations
Website Data – IP address, browser type, device data, pages visited (collected via cookies/analytics)

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect your personal data in a number of ways, including:

In person when you visit our showrooms or offices
When you call, email, or write to us
When you fill out contact or order forms on our website
When you interact with our website or social media platforms

4. Why We Collect Your Data (Legal Basis)

We process your personal data on the following lawful bases:

Contract – to prepare quotes, fulfil orders, and provide memorial services
Consent – for optional marketing communications or sharing testimonials
Legal obligation – to meet financial, tax, and regulatory obligations
Legitimate interests – e.g. business operations, quality control, or customer service (we always balance this with your privacy rights)

5. How We Use Your Data

We use your data to:

Communicate with you about enquiries, orders, and services
Process and manage memorial orders in-store and online
Produce invoices and maintain financial records
Respond to customer queries and aftercare
Improve our website and customer experience
Comply with applicable laws and regulations

6. Sharing Your Data

We may share your data with:

Internal staff and subcontractors (e.g. memorial fitters or stone engravers)
IT and service providers (e.g. hosting platforms, CRM systems)
Professional advisers (e.g. accountants, legal advisers)
HMRC or other regulatory authorities (where legally required)

We do not sell or rent your data to third parties. All third parties are required to handle your data in accordance with UK data protection law.

7. Retaining Your Data

We keep your data only as long as necessary. Our typical retention periods:

Order records and communications: 7 years (for legal and warranty purposes)
Enquiries and quotations: up to 2 years
Website analytics: up to 26 months
Marketing preferences: until you withdraw consent

8. Your Data Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have rights including:

Right to access – you can request a copy of your data
Right to rectification – correct any inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to erasure – request deletion (where lawful)
Right to restrict processing – ask us to limit use of your data
Right to object – to our use of data based on legitimate interest
Right to data portability – request your data in a machine-readable format
Right to withdraw consent – for marketing or optional features

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [insert contact email].

9. Data Security

We protect your data with appropriate measures, including:

Locked cabinets and secure filing systems in-store
Encrypted devices and password-protected systems
SSL-secured websites
Access restrictions to staff on a need-to-know basis

10. Website Cookies

Our websites use cookies to improve performance and enhance the user experience. Cookies collect and any missed data about how visitors use the site.

You can manage or disable cookies in your browser settings. Please refer to our [Cookie Policy] for details.

11. International Transfers

We do not routinely transfer data outside the UK. If it becomes necessary, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in line with UK GDPR.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on our websites. Please check periodically for updates.

13. Complaints

If you are concerned about how we use your data, please contact us in the first instance.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

📞 0303 123 1113
🌐 https://ico.org.uk

Contact Us

For any privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact:
Darlington Memorials Ltd
📧 Email: info@darlingtonmemorials.co.uk
📞 Phone: 01642 678590