Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [29/10/25]

Forest of Dean Caravans ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website forestofdeancaravans.co.uk (the "Site"), purchase our products, or use our services.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

1. Who We Are

Forest of Dean Caravans
Fancy Road, Parkend, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4JN

Phone: 01594 562206
Email: info@forestofdeancaravans.co.uk

We are the data controller responsible for your personal information.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

  • Make an enquiry about our caravans or motorhomes
  • Request a part-exchange valuation
  • Book a service or repair appointment
  • Contact us by phone, email, or contact form
  • Sign up for our mailing list or newsletter
  • Make a purchase through our website
  • Leave a review or provide feedback

This information may include:

  • Name and contact details (address, email, phone number)
  • Details about your current caravan or motorhome (for part-exchange valuations)
  • Vehicle registration details (for service bookings)
  • Payment information (processed securely by our payment provider)
  • Any other information you choose to provide

Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Referring website addresses
  • Device information (mobile, tablet, desktop)

This information is collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide Our Services: Process enquiries, bookings, valuations, and sales transactions
  • Communicate With You: Respond to your questions, send appointment confirmations, and provide updates
  • Process Transactions: Fulfill orders for caravans, motorhomes, parts, or services
  • Send Marketing Communications: With your consent, send you information about new stock, special offers, and services (you can opt-out anytime)
  • Improve Our Services: Understand how customers use our website to improve functionality and content
  • Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements
  • Warranty Administration: Process warranty claims with Swift, Bailey, and other manufacturers
  • Service History: Maintain records of servicing and repairs for your caravan or motorhome

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

  • Contract Performance: Processing necessary to fulfill our contract with you (sales, services, repairs)
  • Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your data for specific purposes (e.g., marketing emails)
  • Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests (improving services, preventing fraud)
  • Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements (tax, accounting, warranty administration)

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

Service Providers

  • Shopify: Our e-commerce platform provider (see Shopify's privacy policy at shopify.com/legal/privacy)
  • Payment Processors: Secure payment processing (your payment information is never stored on our servers)
  • Email Service Providers: For sending newsletters and service reminders (if you've opted in)
  • Google Analytics: To understand website usage (anonymized data)
  • Hosting Providers: For website and email hosting services

Manufacturers

  • Swift Group & Bailey of Bristol: For warranty claims and authorized dealer requirements
  • Parts Suppliers: When ordering parts on your behalf

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government authority, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

Business Transfers

If our business is sold or merged with another company, your information may be transferred to the new owners.

6. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

  • Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
  • Right to Rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Ask us to limit how we use your information
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

To exercise these rights, contact us:

Forest of Dean Caravans
Fancy Road, Parkend, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4JN

Phone: 01594 562206
Email: info@forestofdeancaravans.co.uk

We will respond to your request within one month. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies (Required)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. This helps us improve the website. These cookies collect anonymous information such as pages visited and time spent on site.

Functional Cookies (Optional)

These cookies remember your preferences and choices (such as language or region) to provide enhanced functionality.

Marketing Cookies (Optional)

With your consent, we may use cookies to deliver relevant advertisements and track their effectiveness.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect website functionality. To manage cookies:

  • Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies
  • Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
  • Cookie Preferences: Use our cookie consent banner when you first visit the site

For more information about cookies, visit allaboutcookies.org.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

  • Customer Records: Retained for 6 years after last transaction (for accounting and tax purposes)
  • Service History: Retained for the lifetime of the vehicle relationship plus 6 years
  • Marketing Consent: Retained until you withdraw consent or unsubscribe
  • Enquiry Information: Deleted after 2 years if no transaction occurs
  • Website Analytics: Anonymized data retained for 26 months (Google Analytics default)

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

  • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
  • Secure servers and databases with restricted access
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Staff training on data protection
  • Secure payment processing (we do not store card details)

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (such as manufacturer websites, finance providers, or social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any information.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately, and we will delete it.

12. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing emails about:

  • New caravans and motorhomes in stock
  • Special offers and promotions
  • Service reminders and maintenance tips
  • News and updates from Forest of Dean Caravans

Opting Out

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by:

  • Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
  • Contacting us at info@forestofdeancaravans.co.uk or 01594 562206
  • Updating your preferences in your account (if applicable)

Note: Even if you opt out of marketing emails, we may still send you transactional emails related to your purchases or service bookings.

13. International Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK where our service providers are located (such as Shopify's servers). We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

  • Standard contractual clauses approved by the UK authorities
  • Service providers certified under recognized data protection frameworks
  • Adequate protection as determined by UK data protection law

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
  • Sending you an email notification (if you've provided your email address)

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Forest of Dean Caravans
Fancy Road, Parkend, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4JN

Phone: 01594 562206
Email: info@forestofdeancaravans.co.uk

Website: forestofdeancaravans.co.uk

Data Protection Officer: [Name/Email if applicable]

16. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Phone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk

However, we would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns before you contact the ICO, so please contact us first.

This privacy policy is effective as of [DATE] and complies with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.