Introduction

Welcome to the official website of The Textile Conservancy. We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy outlines our approach to handling personal data, ensuring your privacy is safeguarded as you engage with our services.

Who We Are

The Textile Conservancy is a leading conservation service provider, specialising in the preservation of textiles for museums, heritage organisations, and private enthusiasts. Founded over 25 years ago by Alex Seth-Smith, our practice is based on a wealth of experience, including work with notable institutions such as The British Museum and The National Trust. Our office is located in the heart of the conservation community, providing a dedicated service to ensure the longevity and integrity of precious textile artefacts.​

Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It​​

We collect the following types of personal information:
 

• Names and Contact Details: To communicate with you regarding our conservation services and to provide updates on our work.

• Any free text you choose to enter into the website’s contact form: To understand your specific conservation needs and queries.

How We Use Your Data

Your information is used to:

• Provide Services and Goods: Your data helps us tailor our conservation services to meet your specific needs, whether for long-term display, storage, or specialised textile treatment. We use your contact details to communicate directly with you, offering personalised advice and updates on the progress of conservation projects.

Lawful Bases for Processing

We process your personal data based on:

• Fulfilment of a Contract: Personal data is needed to fulfil a contractual obligation. For example, when a client engages The Textile Conservancy for textile conservation services, processing their data becomes essential to fulfil the terms of this contract. This includes contacting clients, scheduling conservation work, managing payments, and providing detailed updates on the conservation process tailored to each project’s requirements.

• Consent: We process your personal data based on your clear consent for specific purposes. You may have provided consent for us to send updates on new conservation techniques, special events, or educational materials related to textile preservation. You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time, easily and at no cost.

Sub-Processors and Third Parties

• Wix: This platform helps us manage the website and customer interactions through contact forms. Additionally if you consent to them, analytic cookies provide us information about how visitors use the website with the aim to help improve it over time.

Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously and use appropriate measures to mitigate risks against unauthorised or unlawful access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Your Rights

Under UKGDPR, you have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of your personal data. If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us at info@textile-conservation.co.uk

Additionally, you may request that your personal data is not managed by Wix or Gmail if you wish. We will remove your data from these sub-processor’s systems and arrange with you, via telephone, a mutually acceptable means to process your personal information.

How to Complain to the ICO

If you have concerns about our information rights practices, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights.

You can contact the ICO as follows:
Website: ICO Complaints
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Post: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

We encourage you to contact us first to address your concerns before reaching out to the ICO.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changeschanges by posting the new policy on our website and we contact you by email if the changes are very significant, or if we intend to use a new sub-processor which will process your personal data. You will have an opportunity to decline your personal details being processed by that new sub-processor.

Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our treatment of your personal data, please write to us by email at info@textile-conservation.co.uk

Effective Date

This privacy policy is effective as of August 2024.