Privacy & Data Protection Policy

1. Our Privacy Commitment

At Blinds Kingdom, we believe that protecting your personal information is an important part of the service we provide.

Whether you contact us for advice, request a quotation or invite us into your home for a consultation, you are placing your trust in us. We believe that trust extends beyond the products we supply and install to the way we collect, use and safeguard your personal information.

We are committed to handling personal information responsibly, lawfully and transparently.

Our aim is to explain clearly:

• what information we collect;
• why we collect it;
• how we use it;
• how we protect it;
• how long we keep it;
• who we may share it with; and
• the rights available to you.

2. Our Approach to Privacy

We believe privacy should be straightforward.

Rather than relying upon unnecessary legal language, we aim to explain clearly how personal information is handled throughout your relationship with Blinds Kingdom.

As our business grows, our systems, processes and technologies may evolve. Wherever reasonably practical, this policy has been written to describe the purpose of our activities rather than referring to specific software products so that it remains accurate as our business develops.

If anything within this Privacy & Data Protection Policy is unclear, we encourage you to contact us. We will always do our best to explain our approach in a clear and helpful manner.

3. About Blinds Kingdom

Blinds Kingdom specialises in supplying and installing made-to-measure blinds, shutters and curtains through a free home consultation service. We operate primarily by appointment.

Rather than asking customers to visit us, we bring product samples, expert advice and measuring services directly to your home at a convenient time.

Our website allows visitors to:

• learn about our products and services;
• request a quotation;
• arrange a free home consultation;
• contact us with enquiries; and
• obtain information about our business.

Blinds Kingdom does not currently operate an online shopping website and products cannot be purchased directly through the website. Orders are placed only after a quotation has been accepted and the relevant ordering process has been completed.

Blinds Kingdom provides made-to-measure blinds, shutters and curtains to customers across the United Kingdom within the areas we choose to serve. Our service areas may change or expand over time. Please visit our website or contact us for our current coverage.

4. Information We Collect

Depending upon how you interact with Blinds Kingdom, we may collect personal information including the following.

Contact Information

• your name;
• postal address;
• email address;
• telephone number.

Property Information

To prepare quotations, surveys and installations we may collect information relating to your property including:

• property address;
• window measurements;
• room locations;
• product selections;
• installation requirements;
• technical survey information;
• photographs where appropriate.

Photographs may be taken to assist with quotations, surveys, installations, quality assurance, warranty support or resolving customer enquiries.

Appointment Information

To help us manage appointments and provide our services efficiently we may record:

• consultation appointments;
• survey appointments;
• installation appointments;
• appointment history;
• customer preferences.

Communications

Whenever you contact Blinds Kingdom we may retain records of communications including:

• website enquiry forms;
• emails;
• telephone conversations;
• SMS messages;
• WhatsApp messages;
• warranty enquiries;
• complaints;
• customer feedback.

These records help us provide consistent customer service, maintain accurate business records and improve the quality of our services.

Website Information

When you visit our website certain technical information may be collected automatically. This may include:

• IP address;
• browser type;
• operating system;
• device type;
• pages visited;
• referring website;
• date and time of your visit;
• general website usage information.

Some of this information is collected through cookies and similar technologies. Further information is available in our Cookie & Tracking Technologies Policy.

Marketing Preferences

Where you choose to receive marketing communications we may record:

• your marketing preferences;
• communication history;
• consent records;
• requests to unsubscribe.

You may change your marketing preferences at any time.

5. Information We Do Not Intentionally Collect

We only request information that is reasonably necessary to provide our products and services. We do not intentionally collect unnecessary personal information.

If information is provided to us that is not required for the purposes of our business, we will only retain it where there is an appropriate legal basis for doing so.

6. How We Use Your Personal Information

Blinds Kingdom only uses personal information where it is reasonably necessary to operate our business, provide our products and services, communicate with customers and comply with applicable legal obligations.

Depending on the circumstances, we may use your personal information to:

• respond to enquiries;
• arrange home consultations;
• prepare quotations;
• carry out technical surveys;
• supply and install made-to-measure products;
• process deposits and payments;
• administer warranties;
• provide after-sales support;
• respond to complaints;
• improve customer service;
• maintain accurate business records;
• protect the security of our business;
• comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

7. Our Lawful Basis for Processing

Data protection legislation requires organisations to have a lawful basis for processing personal information. Depending upon the circumstances, Blinds Kingdom may rely upon one or more of the following lawful bases.

Performance of a Contract

Most of the personal information we process is necessary to:

• provide quotations;
• carry out surveys;
• manufacture or order products;
• install products;
• administer warranties; and
• fulfil our contractual obligations to customers.

Legitimate Interests

We may process personal information where it is reasonably necessary for the legitimate interests of operating and improving our business, provided those interests do not override your rights and freedoms. Examples include:

• responding to enquiries;
• arranging appointments;
• maintaining customer records;
• improving our products and services;
• quality assurance;
• preventing fraud;
• protecting business assets;
• maintaining information security;
• handling complaints;
• business administration.

Consent

In certain circumstances we rely upon your consent. Examples include:

• marketing communications;
• optional website technologies;
• customer satisfaction surveys;
• certain optional communications.

Where processing is based upon consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Legal Obligations

We may process personal information where necessary to comply with legal obligations including:

• taxation;
• accounting;
• consumer protection;
• health and safety;
• law enforcement requests;
• other legal or regulatory requirements.

8. Marketing Communications

From time to time, Blinds Kingdom may contact customers regarding products, services or information that may be of interest.

Where required by law, marketing communications will only be sent where appropriate consent has been obtained or another lawful basis applies. Marketing communications may include email, telephone, SMS, WhatsApp or other communication methods you have agreed to receive.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time. Choosing not to receive marketing communications will not affect important service communications such as appointment confirmations, quotations, installation arrangements, warranty matters or responses to enquiries.

9. Technology Partners and Website Services

To help provide a secure, reliable and continually improving website, Blinds Kingdom may work with carefully selected technology partners and website services.

These services help us operate our website efficiently, understand how visitors use it, protect it against misuse and continually improve the experience we provide.

Depending upon how our website evolves, these services may support:

• website analytics;
• website security;
• spam prevention;
• website performance monitoring;
• customer communications;
• appointment booking;
• customer relationship management;
• advertising and marketing;
• website functionality; and
• other technologies that help improve our website and customer experience.

From time to time, the technology partners and website services we use may change as our business grows, our website evolves and new technologies become available. We regularly review the technologies supporting our website to help ensure they remain appropriate.

Further information about cookies and similar technologies can be found in our Cookie & Tracking Technologies Policy.

10. Artificial Intelligence and Automation

As technology continues to evolve, Blinds Kingdom may use artificial intelligence (AI), automation and similar technologies to improve our business operations and customer experience.

These technologies may assist with activities such as:

• responding to customer enquiries;
• improving website performance;
• analysing website usage;
• preparing quotations;
• scheduling appointments;
• improving customer communications;
• supporting internal administration;
• enhancing customer service.

Where AI or automated technologies are used in connection with personal information, they will be implemented responsibly and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

11. Sharing Your Personal Information

We only share personal information where it is reasonably necessary to provide our services, operate our business or comply with legal obligations.

Depending upon the circumstances, we may share information with:

• carefully selected suppliers;
• product manufacturers;
• delivery providers;
• payment service providers;
• technology partners;
• website service providers;
• professional advisers;
• insurers;
• regulatory authorities where required by law.

Where appropriate and in accordance with applicable data protection law, we may share personal information within our business group, including businesses operating under common ownership or control, where this is necessary to provide our services, manage customer relationships, support business operations or comply with legal obligations.

Any organisation processing information on our behalf is expected to process personal information securely, lawfully and only for authorised purposes.

12. Children's Privacy

Blinds Kingdom provides products and services intended for homeowners and adults responsible for purchasing home improvement products. Our website is not directed towards children.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate authority. If we become aware that personal information relating to a child has been provided inappropriately, we will take reasonable steps to remove or update that information where appropriate.

13. Retaining Your Personal Information

We only retain personal information for as long as it is reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including providing our products and services, maintaining appropriate business records, complying with legal obligations and resolving disputes where necessary.

The length of time information is retained will depend upon:

• the nature of the information;
• the purpose for which it was collected;
• contractual requirements;
• legal and regulatory obligations; and
• legitimate business needs.

When personal information is no longer required, we will securely delete, anonymise or dispose of it using appropriate methods. We periodically review the information we hold to help ensure it remains accurate, relevant and up to date.

14. Temporary Records and Working Notes

Providing home consultations, technical surveys and installations sometimes requires temporary records to help manage appointments and customer visits.

These temporary records may include limited customer information recorded in:

• appointment diaries;
• scheduling systems;
• mobile phone calendars;
• temporary working notes;
• notebooks; or
• other business planning tools used to organise appointments.

Where such information is no longer required for the purpose for which it was created, it will be securely deleted or disposed of unless it forms part of our permanent business records or must be retained to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

15. Mobile Working

As a home consultation business, members of our team may occasionally access or record customer information while working away from a permanent office location.

We expect anyone handling customer information on behalf of Blinds Kingdom to take appropriate care to protect that information. Reasonable measures include:

• protecting mobile devices using passwords or biometric authentication;
• keeping devices updated where reasonably practicable;
• preventing unauthorised access to customer information;
• securely disposing of temporary records when no longer required;
• avoiding unnecessary collection or retention of personal information.

Customer information should only be recorded where it is reasonably necessary for the delivery of our services.

16. Lost or Stolen Devices

If a mobile phone, tablet, diary, notebook or other device containing customer information is lost or stolen, the incident should be reported to the company as soon as reasonably practicable so that appropriate action can be taken.

Depending upon the circumstances, this may include:

• assessing the nature of the information involved;
• taking steps to minimise any potential risk;
• investigating the incident;
• considering whether notification is required under applicable data protection legislation; and
• implementing appropriate corrective measures.

We maintain procedures for managing information security incidents as part of our wider governance framework.

17. Protecting Your Personal Information

Customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.

Blinds Kingdom implements appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against accidental loss, unauthorised access, misuse, alteration or disclosure. Examples of these measures may include:

• secure business systems;
• controlled access to information;
• password-protected devices;
• staff awareness and training;
• secure disposal of confidential information;
• regular review of information security practices.

Although no organisation can guarantee absolute security, we continually review our procedures to help safeguard the information entrusted to us.

18. Personal Data Breaches

Despite appropriate safeguards, no organisation can completely eliminate the risk of a personal data breach.

If we become aware of an incident involving personal information, we will investigate it promptly and take appropriate action to minimise any potential risks. Where required by applicable data protection legislation, we will:

• investigate the incident;
• contain and manage the breach;
• assess the potential impact;
• notify the appropriate supervisory authority where required;
• inform affected individuals where legally required;
• review the circumstances surrounding the incident; and
• implement appropriate corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.

19. International Transfers

Some organisations that help us operate our business may process personal information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will take appropriate steps to ensure it continues to receive an appropriate level of protection in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

20. Your Rights

Depending upon your circumstances, you may have the right to:

• request access to your personal information;
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
• request deletion of personal information where appropriate;
• request restriction of processing;
• object to certain types of processing;
• request transfer of your personal information where applicable;
• withdraw consent where processing is based upon consent; and
• lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Some of these rights may be subject to legal exceptions. If you wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

If you have concerns about the way we have handled your personal information, we encourage you to contact us first. We welcome the opportunity to investigate your concerns and, where appropriate, resolve them promptly and fairly.

21. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience. Blinds Kingdom is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of websites operated by third parties.

We encourage you to read the privacy information published by any website you visit.

22. Changes to This Policy

Technology, legislation and the way our business operates may change over time. We may review and update this Privacy & Data Protection Policy periodically to ensure it remains accurate, reflects the way Blinds Kingdom operates and continues to meet applicable legal requirements.

The latest version will always be published on our website.

23. Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy & Data Protection Policy or how Blinds Kingdom handles personal information, we would be pleased to hear from you.

If you remain dissatisfied after contacting us, you may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

24. Legal Information

Throughout this Privacy & Data Protection Policy, references to “Blinds Kingdom”, “we”, “our” and “us” relate to the Blinds Kingdom website and business.

Blinds Kingdom is a trading name of Solara Shades UK Limited.