Privacy Policy

This policy explains what personal information Blackburn Local (blackburnlocal.co.uk) collects, why, and what your rights are. Blackburn Local is run by Waqar, who is responsible for your information. You can contact us at info@blackburnlocal.co.uk.

Information we collect

  • When you add a business: the business details you enter (shown publicly), plus your name and email address (kept private and used only to contact you about the listing).
  • When you advertise a property: the property details and photos, the contact name, phone and email you choose to show on the advert, and your own email address (kept private). The street and full postcode are not shown publicly.
  • When you write a review: your name and review (shown publicly), your email address if you give it (kept private), and your IP address, which we use to prevent spam and fake reviews.
  • When you email us: your email address and message, so we can reply.

    • Marketplace accounts

    If you create a marketplace account we keep your name, email address, password (stored in a scrambled form that we cannot read), and your phone number and area if you add them. Your name is shown on your adverts, questions and messages. Your email address is never shown. Your phone number is only shown on adverts where you tick "Show my phone number".

    We store the adverts, photos, questions and private messages you post, so the marketplace can work. Private messages can only be seen by you and the other person, but we may read them if they are reported or if we need to stop abuse, scams or illegal activity. We send you emails about your account, adverts and new messages; you can turn message emails off in your account settings.

    You can delete your account at any time in Account settings. This permanently deletes your account, adverts, photos, questions and messages.

Why we use it

We use this information to run the directory, check listings and reviews, prevent spam and abuse, and reply to you. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in running a useful, trustworthy local directory, or your consent where we ask for it. We do not sell your personal information.

Cookies

The site uses one essential cookie to keep forms secure and to keep the site owner logged in. It is deleted when you close your browser. If we add advertising or visitor statistics (for example Google AdSense or Google Analytics), those services may set their own cookies, and we will ask for your consent first where the law requires it.

Who can see your information

Information you choose to publish (such as a business listing, property advert or review) can be seen by anyone. Private details are only seen by the site owner. Our website is hosted by IONOS, which stores the site's data on our behalf. We may share information if the law requires it.

How long we keep it

We keep listing, advert and review details for as long as they are on the site. When a listing or advert is deleted, its details and photos are deleted too. Emails are kept only as long as needed to deal with your enquiry.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, or object to how we use it. Email us and we will reply within one month. If you are unhappy with how we handle your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.