Last updated: October 2026
1. Who we are
This website, https://mylocalmagazine.co.uk (“Our Site”), is owned and operated by My Local Magazines Limited, trading as My Local Magazine, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 07976924). Registered office: 1 Alberto Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2BQ.
We are the “controller” of the personal data described in this policy, which means we decide how and why it is used. We respect your privacy and will only collect and use personal data as described here and in line with UK data protection law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2. What this policy covers
This policy explains how we handle personal data when you use Our Site, contact us, advertise with us, or are listed in our online business directory. Our Site may link to other websites. We are not responsible for how other websites handle your data, so please check their privacy policies.
3. What data we collect
Depending on how you use Our Site and our services, we may collect:
- Name
- Business name and job title
- Postal address or postcode
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Payment and invoicing details (for advertisers)
- Information you include in messages or forms you send us
- IP address, web browser type and version, and operating system
4. How we use your data and our lawful basis
We must have a lawful basis for using personal data. We use your data for the following purposes:
- Responding to enquiries made by phone, email or through our contact forms (legitimate interests).
- Providing advertising services, including bookings, designing adverts, sending proofs, invoicing and taking payment (performance of a contract).
- Running our business directory (see section 5).
- Keeping records for accounting and tax purposes (legal obligation).
- Improving Our Site by analysing how it is used, using cookies you have agreed to (consent).
- Keeping Our Site secure and preventing spam and abuse (legitimate interests).
- Marketing: we will only send you marketing emails or texts where you have agreed to receive them, or where you are an existing customer and have not opted out. You can unsubscribe at any time.
5. Business directory
What we hold: For businesses listed in our online directory, we may hold the business name, contact name (for sole traders), phone number, email address, website, business address or postcode, areas covered, a description of services, and any logo or photos.
Where it comes from: Either the business submits it to us through our free listing form, or we take it from the advert the business has placed in My Local Magazine.
Why we use it: To publish the listing so local people can find and contact the business, and to promote the directory and listed businesses on our website and social media.
Our lawful basis: Where a business submits a listing, we rely on our agreement with them to provide the listing. Where we create a listing from an advert, we rely on our legitimate interests in running a local business directory. We only use details the business has already chosen to publish in its advertising, and the business can ask us to change or remove them at any time.
How long we keep it: For as long as the listing is live. When a listing is removed, we delete the details from Our Site promptly. Copies may remain in our secure backups for up to 90 days before being overwritten.
For more on directory listings, see our Directory Listing Terms.
6. Who we share your data with
We do not sell your personal data. We only share it where necessary with trusted service providers who help us run our business, such as our website host, email provider, printers, and accounting and payment services. They may only use your data to provide their services to us and must keep it secure.
We may also share data where required by law, for example to comply with a court order or the instructions of a government authority.
7. Where your data is stored
We store your data in the UK wherever possible. Some of our service providers, such as Google, may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, we make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, as required by UK data protection law.
8. How long we keep your data
We keep personal data only for as long as we need it for the purpose it was collected:
- Enquiries: up to 2 years after our last contact, unless you become a customer.
- Advertiser and invoicing records: 6 years after the end of the financial year they relate to, as required for tax purposes.
- Directory listings: as set out in section 5.
9. Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- be informed about how we use your personal data;
- access the personal data we hold about you;
- have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected;
- have your data deleted;
- restrict how we use your data;
- object to us using your data, including for direct marketing;
- data portability, where you have given us data directly and we use it with your consent or to perform a contract;
- withdraw your consent at any time, where we rely on consent.
We do not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling.
To use any of these rights, contact us using the details in section 12. There is normally no charge. We will respond within one month, or within three months for complex requests, and will keep you informed.
10. Cookies
Our Site uses cookies, which are small text files placed on your device. Some are strictly necessary for Our Site to work and keep it secure. Others, such as Google Analytics, help us understand how Our Site is used, and are only set with your consent.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Strictly necessary |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes visitors so we can see how Our Site is used | No |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes visitors | No |
| wfvt_* | Wordfence | Protects Our Site against malicious attacks | Yes |
You can change your browser settings to block or delete cookies, although some parts of Our Site may not work properly if you do. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.
11. Keeping your data secure
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against loss, misuse and unauthorised access, including secure hosting, firewalls and restricted access.
12. How to contact us
To contact us about your personal data, including making a request under section 9:
Email: contact@mylocalmagazine.co.uk
Telephone: 01642 924847
Post: My Local Magazines Limited, 1 Alberto Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2BQ
13. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first so we can try to put things right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
14. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time, for example if the law changes or we change how we use personal data. The latest version will always be on this page.