Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
This Cookies Policy explains how Bear Business Finance Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Bear”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect and use data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
When you visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to accept, reject or customise your consent preferences for non-essential cookies and similar technologies. You can manage or withdraw your consent at any time.
2. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They help websites function effectively and provide information to the site owners. We may also use similar technologies, such as tracking pixels, scripts and tags, which can collect information about how visitors interact with our website. For simplicity, we refer to cookies and these similar technologies collectively as “cookies and similar technologies” throughout this policy.
Cookies can be:
- Session cookies – deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies – remain on your device for a set period
- First-party cookies – set by our website
- Third-party cookies – set by external services we use
3. Types of Cookies and Similar Technologies We Use
A. Strictly Necessary Cookies and Similar Technologies
These cookies and similar technologies are essential for the operation of our website and are therefore always active.
They are typically set in response to actions made by you, such as:
- Completing forms
- Protecting forms from spam
- Supporting website security
- Setting privacy preferences
- Navigating or using essential website features
These cookies and similar technologies are used to provide essential website functionality and are not used for advertising or non-essential tracking purposes.
Strictly necessary (always active)
| Cookies | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| __cf_bm | Cloudflare (via HubSpot scripts) | Bot management | Up to 1 hour |
| _cfuvid | Cloudflare (via HubSpot scripts) | Rate limiting | Session |
| rc::a, rc::f | Google reCAPTCHA | Identifies bots to protect forms from spam | Persistent (no set expiry) |
| rc::b, rc::c | Google reCAPTCHA | Identifies bots to protect forms from spam | Session |
| _GRECAPTCHA | Google reCAPTCHA | Identifies bots to protect forms from spam | 6 months |
| cookieyes-consent | CookieYes | Remembers your consent choices | 1 year |
B. Performance & Analytics Cookies and Similar Technologies
These cookies and similar technologies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve functionality and user experience.
They may collect information such as:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on the website
- Traffic sources (including campaign links, for example in adverts or emails)
- General geographic location (non-precise)
- Information about website sessions and visitor interactions
We use services such as Google Analytics and HubSpot tracking tools to understand how visitors interact with our website and to analyse website usage. If you submit a form, HubSpot tracking may link your website activity to your enquiry.
These cookies and similar technologies are only set or run where you have given your prior consent.
Performance & analytics (only with your consent)
| Cookies | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes visitors and records site usage | About 13 months |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Stores and counts page views | About 13 months |
| __hstc | HubSpot | Tracks visitors: first, last and current visit, and session count | 6 months |
| __hssc | HubSpot | Tracks sessions | 1 hour |
| __hssrc | HubSpot | Detects whether the browser has been restarted | Session |
| hubspotutk | HubSpot | Identifies the visitor and, if you submit a form, links your earlier visits to your enquiry | 6 months |
4. Third-Party Cookies and Similar Technologies
Some of the cookies and similar technologies described in section 3 are set or provided by third-party services that we use, including Google (Google Analytics and reCAPTCHA), HubSpot and Cloudflare. Third parties may also set cookies or use similar technologies where their services are embedded in or integrated with our website.
5. Managing Cookies and Similar Technologies
When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies and similar technologies
- Reject all non-essential cookies and similar technologies
- Customise your consent preferences
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the cookie settings icon displayed on our website. This will open our Cookie Preference Centre, where you can review and update your consent preferences.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings, although browser settings may not provide the same level of control as our cookie settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- See what cookies are stored
- Delete cookies
- Block certain cookies
- Block all cookies
Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies and similar technologies may affect website functionality.
6. How Long Cookies and Similar Technologies Are Stored
Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies stay on your device until they expire or you delete them. The cookies and similar technologies we use last from a single browser session up to around 13 months, depending on the type.
The tables in section 3 show typical durations.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or business developments. Any updates will be published on our website.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or data protection practices, please contact:
Bear Business Finance Ltd
Email: operations@bearbusinessfinance.com
Telephone: 01832 770 273
Last updated: 28 September 2026