Privacy policy
Last updated: 2 October 2026
Who we are
Worcestershire Local Optical Committee (Worcestershire LOC, “we”, “us” or “our”) represents and supports optical professionals in Worcestershire.
We are responsible for deciding how personal information collected through our website and general enquiries is used. For these activities, we are the data controller.
This policy explains how we handle your personal information when you visit www.locworcestershire.co.uk or contact us with an enquiry.
If you have a question about this policy or would like to exercise your data protection rights, email locworcestershire@gmail.com.
Information we collect
When you use our contact form or email us, we collect the information you provide. This may include your name, email address, practice or organisation, the subject of your enquiry and the content of your message or attachments. We also keep relevant correspondence when responding to you.
Our website is hosted on Wix. Wix processes technical information needed to operate and protect the website, which may include your IP address, browser and device details, and website activity. Optional visitor analytics may also collect information about pages viewed and how visitors use the site, depending on your cookie choices.
Please do not send identifiable patient information, medical records or other sensitive health information through our contact form or general enquiry email. Use the appropriate secure referral channel instead.
How and why we use your information
We use enquiry information to respond to your questions, provide the information or support you request, and maintain relevant correspondence so we can follow up and resolve your enquiry.
We rely on legitimate interests for these activities. Our interests are providing an effective contact service and supporting the local optical community. We consider your rights and expectations when using your information for these purposes.
We also rely on legitimate interests to operate and protect our website, prevent misuse and investigate technical problems. Where we use optional analytics cookies, we rely on your consent for those cookies and associated personal information.
If we need to retain or disclose information to comply with a specific legal requirement, our lawful basis is legal obligation.
Providing enquiry information is voluntary and is not a statutory or contractual requirement. However, without sufficient contact details or information about your request, we may be unable to respond.
We do not use contact enquiries to add you to marketing mailing lists. We do not use your information to make solely automated decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you.
Who can access your information
Enquiries may be accessed by committee members who need the information to respond or provide the support requested.
We use service providers to operate our website and communications, including Wix for website hosting and contact-form services, and Google for our Gmail inbox. Authorised website or IT support providers may also have access where needed to maintain these services.
We may disclose information where required by law or where necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims. We do not sell your personal information.
How long we keep information
We retain enquiry information for as long as needed to respond, complete relevant follow-up and maintain a necessary record of the matter.
When deciding whether a record is still needed, we consider whether the enquiry is resolved, whether there is a continuing issue or complaint, and whether a legal requirement or legal claim requires us to retain it. We review records and delete personal information when it is no longer needed for these purposes.
Technical records and cookies have separate retention periods determined by their purpose and the relevant service settings. Cookie lifetimes are set out in our website's cookie information.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies provided through Wix. Essential cookies support functions such as website security and remembering privacy choices.
Where optional analytics cookies are enabled, they help us understand how visitors use the website. We ask for your consent before placing these cookies. You can accept or reject optional cookies and change your choice through the website's cookie settings.
You can also manage cookies through your browser. Blocking essential cookies may affect some website functions.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, request deletion, restrict how it is used or receive certain information in a portable format.
You have the right to object to our use of your personal information where we rely on legitimate interests.
Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. This does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before you withdrew consent.
To make a request, email locworcestershire@gmail.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding. Rights are subject to the conditions and exceptions in applicable data protection law.
Questions and complaints
If you are concerned about how we handle your information, please contact us at locworcestershire@gmail.com.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK data protection regulator. Visit ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Other websites and policy changes
Our website links to external organisations and resources. Their websites have their own privacy policies, which you should read before providing personal information.
We may update this policy when our website or the way we use information changes. The latest version will appear on this page with the updated date.