Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 2026
This policy explains what information ValetNearMe (https://valetnearme.co.uk) collects when you use the site, why we collect it, and the choices you have. It describes the data practices actually implemented on this website.
Who we are
ValetNearMe is a UK car valeting directory. If you have a question about this policy or your data, please use our contact form.
Information we collect
1. Site analytics (first party)
When you load a page, our own analytics records technical information about the visit: the page URL, the referring page, your screen size, your browser language, scroll depth, and any campaign parameters (UTM) in the URL. We also record a coarse device/browser/OS description, an approximate country (where our hosting/CDN provides it) and a city name taken from the page you are viewing. Your IP address is hashed (one-way SHA-256); we do not store the raw IP address for analytics.
2. Analytics cookie
We set one first-party cookie, vnm_vid, which contains a random identifier. It lets us tell a new visit from a returning one and expires after up to 180 days. It is not used for advertising.
3. Google Analytics
We load Google Analytics to measure aggregate traffic. Google may set its own cookies and process data under its own privacy policy as an independent provider.
4. Advertising
Some pages display advertising delivered by a third-party advertising network. That network may set cookies or use identifiers to measure and personalise ads, subject to its own policies. Advertising is separated from the directory content.
5. Contact messages
If you use the contact form we collect your name, email address, subject and message, and we use your IP address to rate-limit and block spam. The message is delivered to us by email so we can reply.
6. Business enquiries and contact reveals
When you send an enquiry to a listed business we collect the name, phone number, message and the listing you contacted, and we share those details with that business so it can respond to you. When you reveal a phone number or open a WhatsApp link for a listing, we record an event that the contact details for that listing were opened; we do not store your phone number for that action.
What we do not collect
We do not knowingly collect special-category data, and you do not need an account to use the directory. Any age or gender breakdown in our internal dashboard is a modelled estimate rather than information observed from you.
Why we use your information
- To operate and improve the directory and understand which pages are useful.
- To keep the site secure and prevent spam and abuse.
- To pass your enquiry to the business you chose to contact, at your request.
- To show advertising that funds the free service.
Under UK data protection law our bases are legitimate interests (analytics, security and advertising), and your request/consent (sending an enquiry or a contact message).
Sharing and retention
We share enquiry details with the business you contact, and use analytics and advertising providers as described above. Analytics is retained on a rolling basis, and enquiry data is kept only as long as needed to handle your request and meet our legal obligations.
Your rights
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data, or object to our processing. To make a request, please contact us. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected on this page.