Flowers Gospel Oak Privacy Policy: Your Data Rights Explained

Overview of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains in detail how Flowers Gospel Oak collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information when you place orders with us from Gospel Oak and the surrounding districts. It describes our legal obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), our practices in respect to your data, and your rights as a data subject.

Who This Policy Applies To

This Privacy Policy applies to all customers who place orders for flowers or related products and services with Flowers Gospel Oak in Gospel Oak or neighbouring areas. By ordering from Flowers Gospel Oak, you agree to the practices described in this policy and acknowledge your rights afforded under GDPR.

What Personal Data We Collect

Flowers Gospel Oak processes personal data to facilitate your orders and provide a high standard of customer service. We collect the following types of information:

  • Contact Information: Name, delivery address, contact address if different, and phone number (if provided).
  • Order Details: Items ordered, notes, delivery instructions, occasion details (e.g., birthday, anniversary).
  • Payment Information: Information needed to process your payment, such as transaction details (please note: payment card details are processed securely by our chosen payment processor and are not stored locally by us).
  • Communications: Your correspondence with us, such as order confirmations, feedback, and complaints.

How We Collect Your Data

Personal data is primarily collected directly from you when you place an order, whether via our website, by phone, or in person at our premises. Data may also be generated in the course of managing your order, such as through delivery confirmations or complaint investigations.

Lawful Basis for Processing Your Data

Our processing of your personal information is justified by one or more lawful bases under GDPR:

  • Contract: We require your personal information to fulfil our contract with you, namely processing and delivering your orders.
  • Legal Obligations: We may be obliged to retain certain information to comply with tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements.
  • Legitimate Interests: On some occasions, we may process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, such as improving services or handling customer service enquiries, provided such interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.
  • Consent: Where you have given explicit consent (such as for marketing communications), we will process your data only as permitted by that consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time.

How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To process and fulfil your flower orders and deliver them accurately to you or your recipient.
  • To communicate with you regarding your order status, delivery, or any issues arising from your purchase.
  • To comply with legal and accounting requirements.
  • To improve our products and customer service, when appropriate.

How Long We Retain Your Data

We only retain your personal data for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, taking into account our legal obligations, legitimate interests, contractual requirements, and your rights as a data subject. In summary:

  • Transactional data (order and delivery details) is typically retained for up to seven years for accounting and compliance purposes.
  • Communication records (such as feedback or complaints) are retained for as long as necessary to resolve the enquiry or complaint, plus an additional period as required by law.
  • Marketing consent records are kept until you withdraw your consent or otherwise opt out.

Third-Party Processors

To fulfil your orders and operate our business, it may be necessary to share your data with selected third-party service providers (processors), only for the purposes outlined in this policy. These may include:

  • Payment processing providers, who securely handle your card transactions on our behalf and do not share your card details with us.
  • Delivery and courier partners, to ensure your flowers reach their intended recipient.
  • IT and cloud service providers, who help us securely store and manage your data.

All third-party processors are contractually obliged to handle your data securely and in compliance with GDPR, and are not permitted to use your information for their own purposes.

Your Rights Under GDPR

As a Flowers Gospel Oak customer, you have the following rights under the GDPR:

  • Right of Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to Rectification: If any of your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may ask for it to be corrected.
  • Right to Erasure: In certain circumstances, you have the right to request deletion of your data (‘the right to be forgotten’).
  • Right to Restriction: You may ask us to restrict processing of your personal data in specific situations.
  • Right to Data Portability: You can request that we provide your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
  • Right to Object: You may object to our processing of your data based on legitimate interests, or to direct marketing.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.

We will always aim to respond to all queries and requests within one month, and will inform you if more time is required due to complexity or volume.

Data Security

Flowers Gospel Oak takes the security of your personal data seriously. We implement technical and organisational measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the information to protect against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal data.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The latest version will always be made publicly available at our premises and on our website. We encourage you to check it regularly to ensure you remain informed about how we protect your personal data.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at Flowers Gospel Oak using our official contact methods. We also encourage you to reach out if you wish to exercise any of your rights under GDPR. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in the UK.