How we use cookies
This Cookies Policy explains how STOTTS. uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
John F Stott Ltd, trading as STOTTS., Stotts Opticians, Brown Opticians, Sutcliffes Opticians and Mr Jinkinsons, uses cookies to help our website work properly, improve your experience, understand how people use the site, and support relevant communications and marketing.
You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the control, which is also in the footer of every page.
Last updated: September 2026.
What we actually run on this website
This is the full list of non-essential services that can set cookies or similar storage on your device through this website. None of them load until you accept.
| Service | Provider | What it is for | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads conversion tracking (AW-18109353008) | Google Ireland Limited | Tells us whether an advert led to an enquiry or a booking | Advertising |
| Google Analytics 4 | Google Ireland Limited | Shows us which pages are used and where visitors struggle | Analytics |
| STOTTS. chat assistant | GPTMate | The chat bubble and search bar, so you can ask a question without calling | Functionality |
| STOTTS. assistant journey tracking | GPTMate | Records which pages you visit and in what order, so we can see where the assistant is needed and where the site is hard to follow | Analytics |
Both Google services run under Google Consent Mode. Until you accept, they are set to denied and store nothing on your device. Neither of the two GPTMate items is requested from its provider at all until you accept, so declining means your browser never contacts it.
The journey tracking is worth singling out, because this is a healthcare site. The pages you look at here can say something about your health — a page about glaucoma, tinnitus or children's eyesight is not a neutral page to have visited. That record is why the item sits under Analytics rather than alongside the chat bubble, and why it is switched off, not merely ignored, if you later change your mind: use Cookie choices in the footer and collection stops.
Storage we use that is strictly necessary
Three items are stored in your browser without consent, because they are needed to deliver something you asked for:
- Your cookie choice — so we do not ask again on every page. Stored for six months, after which we ask again.
- Your Lens Profile answers — only if you start our Lens Profile tool, and only so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off. Kept for 30 days, then deleted automatically. This is described in our Privacy Notice and you can clear it sooner from within the tool.
- Your shopping bag — only if you add something to it, and only so the bag is still there if you close the tab. It holds what you chose and a reference to the basket held by Shopify, who run our checkout. Kept for 14 days, then deleted automatically. It holds no name, address or payment details.
None of the three is used for tracking or advertising, and none is shared with anyone for that purpose.
Content embedded from other websites
Some pages embed a map, a video or a font from another company. Where this happens, that company may see your IP address and set its own storage. We use Google Fonts, Google Maps and embedded video players. If you would rather these did not load, most browsers let you block third-party content.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website.
They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, whether you are logged in, how you use the site, or whether you have already made a cookie choice.
Cookies may be set by us directly, known as first-party cookies, or by third-party services we use, such as analytics, booking, video, map, advertising or social media providers.
Types of cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are needed for the website to work properly.
They may be used for security, page navigation, booking functionality, remembering your cookie preferences, or making sure forms and essential website features operate correctly.
These cookies cannot usually be switched off because the website may not function properly without them.
Performance and analytics cookies
These cookies help us understand how people use our website.
They may show us which pages are visited, how long visitors spend on the site, which links are clicked, whether people encounter errors, and how users move through the website.
This helps us improve the website, make content more useful, and understand which services people are interested in.
We will only use non-essential analytics cookies where consent is required and you have given your consent.
Functionality cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features.
For example, they may remember your preferred practice, location, settings, form information, or display preferences.
Some functionality cookies may be essential to provide a service you have requested. Others may only be used with your consent where required.
Marketing and advertising cookies
These cookies may be used to help us show more relevant advertising or measure the effectiveness of our marketing.
They may be set by us or by third-party advertising platforms, such as search engines, social media platforms or other marketing services.
They can help us understand whether someone visited our website after seeing an advert, whether an advert led to an enquiry or booking, and how we can make our marketing more relevant.
We will only use marketing and advertising cookies where you have given your consent.
Third-party cookies
Some cookies may be set by third-party services used on our website.
These may include services for:
- Online appointment booking
- Website analytics
- Maps and location tools
- Embedded videos
- Social media links or content
- Advertising and remarketing
- Security and spam protection
- Website forms or live chat
These third parties may process information about your visit according to their own privacy and cookie policies.
How we use cookies
We may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep our website secure
- Make the website work properly
- Remember your cookie preferences
- Help you book appointments or submit forms
- Understand website performance
- Improve our pages, content and services
- Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
- Show relevant adverts where you have agreed to this
- Improve your overall website experience
We do not use cookies to access information on your device that you have not chosen to share with us.
Managing your cookie preferences
When you first visit our website we ask whether you accept non-essential cookies. Declining is as easy as accepting, and if you do nothing, nothing non-essential runs.
You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the control in the footer of every page. Withdrawing consent reloads the page so that anything already running is stopped.
We ask again every six months, so a choice you made long ago does not stand indefinitely.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block cookies, delete existing cookies, or receive a warning before cookies are stored.
If you block all cookies, some parts of our website may not work properly.
Consent
We do not need consent for cookies that are strictly necessary for the website or a service you have requested to work.
For non-essential cookies, such as analytics, marketing or advertising cookies, we will ask for your consent where required before placing them on your device.
You can withdraw or change your consent at any time.
Updates to this Cookies Policy
We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, the services on our website, or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be available on our website.
Contact us
If you have any questions about how we use cookies or similar technologies, please contact us:
Jane Laval
Email: janelaval@stottsopticians.co.uk
Telephone: 01257 262445
Via our Chorley practice.