Last updated: 19 October 2026
This policy explains how thesmartsoletrader.co.uk uses cookies and similar technologies. Read it alongside our privacy notice.
Who we are
The Smart Sole Trader is run by NorthPoint Projects t/a Cragside Media. For questions about cookies or your data, email gdpr@cragsidemedia.co.uk.
What cookies are
Cookies are small files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site work and can tell us how it’s used.
The cookies we use
- Strictly necessary cookies make the site work and remember your cookie choices. They’re always on and don’t need your consent.
- Statistics cookies from Google Analytics help us understand how the site is used, such as which pages are popular. We only set them if you accept them.
We don’t use preferences, advertising or marketing cookies.
Our cookie banner is run by Complianz. It asks for your consent before any statistics cookies are used, and gives you equal Accept and Reject buttons.
Google Analytics only loads if you accept statistics cookies. Until you make a choice, and if you choose Reject, the banner stops Google’s tag from loading at all, so no Google Analytics cookies are set and no analytics data is sent to Google. Our privacy notice explains more.
Cookie list
Strictly necessary: your cookie choices (Complianz)
These remember the choice you made in our cookie banner, so we don’t ask you again on every page. They also act as our record of your consent.
| Cookie | What it does | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| cmplz_banner-status | Remembers whether you’ve dismissed the cookie banner | 365 days |
| cmplz_functional, cmplz_preferences, cmplz_statistics and cmplz_marketing | Remember whether you’ve allowed or denied each type of cookie | 365 days |
| cmplz_consented_services | Remembers which services you’ve allowed or denied | 365 days |
| cmplz_policy_id | Remembers which version of this cookie policy you accepted | 365 days |
If we make an important change to the cookies we use, these cookies are reset and the banner asks you again.
Sources: Complianz’s developers guide and cookie policy.
Strictly necessary: logging in (WordPress, our team only)
These are only set for people who log in to manage the site, such as our editors. You won’t get them by reading the site.
| Cookie | What it does | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| wordpress_[hash] and wordpress_sec_[hash] | Stores login details for the admin area | Until you log out or close your browser, or about 14 days if you tick “Remember me” |
| wordpress_logged_in_[hash] | Shows WordPress that you’re logged in, and who you are | Until you log out or close your browser, or about 14 days if you tick “Remember me” |
| wp-settings-[user ID] and wp-settings-time-[user ID] | Remembers how you’ve set up the admin screens | 1 year |
| wordpress_test_cookie | Set on the login page to check that your browser accepts cookies | Until you close your browser |
| wp_lang | Remembers the language chosen on the login page | Until you close your browser |
Comments are currently closed on our guides, so WordPress doesn’t set its comment cookies. We’ll update this policy before we open comments.
Sources: Cookies (WordPress.org documentation) and the WordPress core code.
Statistics: Google Analytics (only if you accept)
| Cookie | What it does | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Used by Google Analytics to tell visitors apart | 2 years |
| _ga_[container ID] | Used by Google Analytics to keep track of your current visit (session). The end of the name is our site’s Google Analytics ID | 2 years |
These are first-party cookies set by Google’s tag on our site, and only after you accept statistics cookies. Google says some browsers shorten how long they last if you don’t come back, for example to a maximum of 400 days in Chrome and 7 days in Safari.
Source: Cookie usage on websites (Google Analytics Help).
Downloads
Our free MTD key dates calendar (.ics) downloads straight from the site and doesn’t set any cookies.
Changing your choices
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time using the Manage consent button at the bottom right of every page. If you withdraw consent, we stop setting statistics cookies. You can also delete the existing ones in your browser settings.
You can also delete or block cookies in your browser settings. If you block strictly necessary cookies, the banner may ask for your choice on every page, but you can still read everything on the site.
Contact
Questions about cookies or your data? Email gdpr@cragsidemedia.co.uk.