Last updated: 16 October 2025
1) Who we are
Hickies Limited (also known as Hickies Music), Registered in England & Wales No. 01897404.
Registered office: 153 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HE, United Kingdom.
Email: admin@hickies.co.uk • Phone: 0118 957 5771
This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on www.hickies.co.uk (the “site”).
2) What are cookies?
Cookies are small files stored on your device to make websites work, remember your choices, keep you signed in, and help us understand how the site is used. Some are essential (e.g., keeping your cart), others are optional (e.g., analytics or advertising).
3) Your choices & consent
When you first visit, we show a banner with a real choice: Accept all, Reject all, or Set preferences. We only set non-essential cookies after you consent. You can change your mind any time:
- Use the Manage consent link to update settings.
- You can also use your browser settings (blocking essential cookies may break core site functions like cart and checkout).
4) Legal basis
Strictly necessary cookies are placed to provide the service you request (e.g., adding to cart, staying logged in) under PECR—no consent required.
Analytics, advertising and other non-essential cookies are used only with your consent. You can withdraw consent at any time via Manage consent; withdrawal applies going forward.
Note: UK law includes limited exceptions for certain low-risk uses. Unless an exception clearly applies to our specific configuration, we will continue to rely on consent for non-essential cookies.
5) Cookies we use
Below is a list of the cookies you may encounter on our site. Exact lifetimes can vary by configuration and browser.
5A. Strictly necessary (always on)
These make the site and checkout work. Without them, you can’t add items to your cart or stay logged in.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Typical lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
woocommerce_cart_hash, woocommerce_items_in_cart | WooCommerce | Track cart changes/contents so cart & mini-cart work. | Session |
wp_woocommerce_session_* | WooCommerce | Links your browser to your cart session in the database. | ~2 days |
wc_cart_hash_*, wc_fragments_*, wc_cart_created | WooCommerce | Keep cart fragments/mini-cart and checkout stable. | Session |
storeApiCartData, storeApiNonce | WooCommerce | Secure and operate WooCommerce Store API/Blocks (cart/checkout). | Session |
wordpress_test_cookie | WordPress | Checks if cookies are enabled. | Session |
wordpress_logged_in_* | WordPress | Keeps you logged in. | Session (up to ~2 weeks if “remember me”) |
wp_lang | WordPress | Stores interface language (login/translation support). | Session |
wpEmojiSettingsSupports | WordPress | Checks browser support for emoji/rendering. | Session |
wp-settings-1, wp-settings-time-1, WP_DATA_USER_1 | WordPress | Remember dashboard/editor preferences for logged-in users. | Up to ~1 year (varies) |
cmplz_functional, cmplz_statistics, cmplz_preferences, cmplz_marketing | Complianz (CMP) | Save your consent choices per category so we honour them on future visits. | ~1 year |
5B. Preferences / functionality
Improve your experience (e.g., remembering a tool choice). These are used when you engage that feature.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Typical lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
pbf-deposit-last-used, pbf-service-used-from-widget | Finance/deposit widget | Remembers the last finance/deposit option you chose to streamline checkout. | Varies (plugin-defined) |
5C. Analytics / statistics (only with your consent)
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Typical lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _ga_<container-id> (e.g., _ga_RM3G736SJG, _ga_WMZ0WZ5WLS) | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguish users/sessions to understand site usage & performance. | ≈ 2 years |
tk_ai, tk_qs | Automattic / Jetpack | Anonymous ID and feature usage for analytics (some features set these on the front-end). | Session (typical) |
sbjs_current, sbjs_current_add, sbjs_first, sbjs_first_add, sbjs_session, sbjs_udata, sbjs_migrations | Sourcebuster JS | Track how you arrived (source/medium/campaign) for analytics attribution. | Session to ~6 months |
5D. Advertising & measurement (only with your consent)
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Typical lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
_gcl_au, _gcl_ls | Google Ads / Conversion Linker | Store ad-click info so conversions can be attributed. | Typically up to ~90 days |
5E. Admin-side cookies
These may appear for store staff when using the WordPress/WooCommerce dashboard.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Typical lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
customer-effort-score-exit-page | WooCommerce (admin) | Triggers/records WooCommerce admin CES surveys or flows. | Varies |
6) Change or withdraw your consent
You can update your choices any time via Manage consent. When you withdraw consent, we’ll stop setting the relevant cookies from that point forward. You can also clear existing cookies in your browser.
7) Third parties & international transfers
Some providers (e.g., Google) may process data outside the UK/EEA. Where they do, they rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses). See each provider’s privacy information for details.
8) Updates to this policy
We review this policy when our cookie practices change (for example, when we add a new tool). We’ll post any changes here and update the “Last updated” date.
9) Questions?
We’re happy to help. Email admin@hickies.co.uk or write to Hickies Limited, 153 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1HE, United Kingdom.