Cookie Policy
Last updated: May 2026
This policy explains what cookies are, which cookies HOTBOX Social may use, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve performance, and provide useful information to the site owner.
Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting, called first-party cookies, or by third-party services operating on that site, called third-party cookies. Cookies can be session cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or persistent cookies, which remain on your device until they expire or you delete them.
We use cookies and similar technologies, such as pixels and tags, in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
How we use cookies
We use cookies on our website, hotboxsocial.co.uk, to:
- Keep the website working correctly for you
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how visitors use our site, so we can improve it
- Show you relevant content and advertising, where you have consented
Some cookies are essential for the website to function. Others are only placed on your device with your consent. You can manage your preferences at any time. See the Managing your cookies section below.
Categories of cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to operate. They enable core functions such as session management, security, and your booking or account access. These cookies cannot be turned off, as the website would not work properly without them.
No consent is required for strictly necessary cookies.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | HOTBOX Social | Maintains your active session as you navigate the site | Session |
| csrf_token | HOTBOX Social | Security token that protects the site against cross-site request forgery attacks | Session |
| cookie_consent | HOTBOX Social | Stores your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask again on your next visit | 12 months |
| __cfduid | Cloudflare | Used by Cloudflare to identify trusted web traffic and improve security | 30 days |
Performance and analytics cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting information such as the number of visitors, the pages they visit most, and how they found the site. This helps us improve how the website works and the experience we offer.
All data collected is aggregated and anonymous. We cannot identify you personally from this information. These cookies are only placed with your consent.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier | 2 years |
| _ga_XXXXXXXX | Google Analytics | Maintains session state and collects data on how you use our site | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users. Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles the request rate to limit data collection on high-traffic sites | 1 minute |
For more information about how Google uses this data, visit Google's Privacy Policy. To opt out of Google Analytics across all websites, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Functional cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you have made, such as your preferred language or region, and provide a more personalised experience. They may also be used to remember information you have entered into forms so you do not have to re-enter it.
These cookies are only placed with your consent.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| lang_pref | HOTBOX Social | Remembers your language and region settings | 12 months |
| booking_state | HOTBOX Social | Preserves your progress through a booking or sign-up form | Session |
Marketing and targeting cookies
These cookies are used to deliver advertising that is relevant to you and your interests. They may be set by us or by third-party advertising partners. They track your visits across websites and are used to build a profile of your interests so you can be shown relevant adverts on other sites.
These cookies are only placed with your consent. If you decline marketing cookies, you will still see adverts. They just will not be tailored to you.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Meta (Facebook / Instagram) | Used by Meta to deliver and measure ads on and off Facebook and Instagram | 3 months |
| fr | Meta (Facebook / Instagram) | Used by Meta to deliver targeted advertising. Tracks browser and device across Meta products | 3 months |
| _ttp | TikTok | Tracks user behaviour and conversions from TikTok ads | 13 months |
| ttclid | TikTok | Identifies users arriving at the site via a TikTok ad | Session |
| IDE | Google (DoubleClick) | Used by Google to track user interactions with ads and serve relevant remarketing content | 13 months |
| NID | Stores a unique ID to remember your preferences and personalise Google ads | 6 months | |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads | Used by Google Ads to store and track conversions | 3 months |
For more information about how these third parties use cookies, see their policies:
- Meta Privacy Policy
- TikTok Privacy Policy
- Google Privacy Policy
Third-party cookies
Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies. They are governed by each provider's privacy policy, linked above.
We use third-party services for:
- Analytics - Google Analytics tracks how visitors navigate our site to help us improve it
- Advertising - Meta Pixel and TikTok Pixel allow us to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and show you relevant content on social media
- Payments - Stripe may set cookies to enable secure payment processing. Stripe's cookie practices are governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy
- Booking platform - Our session booking and membership platform may set functional cookies required to manage your account
How long are cookies stored?
The time a cookie is stored on your device depends on whether it is a session or persistent cookie:
- Session cookies are temporary. They are deleted automatically when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire, as shown in the expiry column in the tables above, or until you delete them manually through your browser settings.
Managing your cookies
You have control over which non-essential cookies are placed on your device. There are several ways to manage your preferences.
Our cookie banner
When you first visit our website, a cookie banner will appear asking for your consent to non-essential cookies. You can accept all, reject all, or choose which categories to allow. You can revisit and change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Manage cookies" link in the footer of our website.
Your browser settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View the cookies stored on your device
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete cookies when you close your browser
How to manage cookies in the most common browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of the site, including session bookings and account login.
Opting out of analytics
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Opting out of interest-based advertising
To opt out of interest-based advertising more broadly, you can visit:
- Your Online Choices (EU/UK)
- Network Advertising Initiative
Do Not Track (DNT)
Our website does not currently respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals sent by your browser. You can manage your preferences using the options described above.
Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.
We recommend reviewing this page periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
Email: support@hotboxsocial.co.uk
Website: hotboxsocial.co.uk
For more information about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.