Privacy policy
Last updated 31 October 2026
This page explains what information we keep about you, why we keep it and the control you have over it.
Who we are
We’re PatchState Ltd, and we’re responsible for any personal information you share with us. We’re registered in England and Wales (company number 17358135). Our registered office is Piccadilly Business Centre, Blackett Street, Manchester, M12 6AE.
If you have a question about your information, email us at james@patchstate.com.
What we keep and why
The law asks us to have a good reason for using your information, so we’ve included ours under each heading.
When you email us
We keep your name, your email address and what you wrote, so we can reply and help you.
Our reason: we have a genuine need to reply, or you’re asking about working with us.
When you fill in one of our client question forms
We keep your name, job title, email address and answers, so we can understand your project and plan the work. We also keep a coded version of your internet address, which helps us stop misuse.
Our reason: you’re asking about working with us.
When you open a private proposal
We record when it was opened, the type of device used (for example, an iPhone), the country and a coded version of your internet address. We get an email each time a proposal is opened with its password, so we know when to follow up.
Our reason: we have a genuine business need to follow up and keep the page secure.
When you choose an option on a proposal
We keep the option you picked, your name, your email address and any message you add, so we can act on it.
Our reason: you’re asking to work with us.
When you accept cookies
We can see how our public pages are used, such as which pages people visit, where they click and scroll, their rough location and the type of device they’re on. We can also watch recordings of how people move around the pages. Anything sensitive, such as what you type into a form, is hidden. We never do this on private client pages.
Our reason: you said yes. You can change your mind at any time. See our cookie policy.
When you visit our website
The company that runs our website handles basic technical details, such as your internet address and browser, to keep the site working and safe. We also measure how quickly our pages load, without identifying you.
Our reason: we have a genuine need to run a safe, working website.
When you become a client or supplier
We keep your contact details, contracts, invoices and payment records.
Our reason: we need them to do the work and to follow the law, such as tax rules.
What we don’t do
We don’t sell your information. Computers alone don’t make important decisions about you. Our services are for businesses, and this site isn’t meant for children.
Who else sees your information
A few companies help us run our business:
- Cloudflare runs our website, stores form answers and sends emails from the site
- Google provides our email and, if you accept cookies, our visitor statistics (Google Analytics)
- Microsoft provides click tracking and visit recordings (Microsoft Clarity) if you accept cookies
If you accept cookies, Microsoft may also use what it collects to improve its own services, keep them secure and show advertising.
We may also share information with advisers, such as our accountant or solicitor, or if the law says we must.
Information sent outside the UK
Some of these companies handle information in other countries, including the United States. When they do, legal safeguards are in place to protect it.
How long we keep it
- Enquiries, forms and proposals that don’t turn into work: 2 years after we last spoke
- Client and supplier records: 6 years after the work ends
- Staying signed in to a private page: 30 days
- Your cookie choice: 6 months
- Google visitor statistics: up to 14 months
- Microsoft recordings: about 30 days, with summaries kept for up to 13 months
Your rights
It’s your information, so you can ask us to:
- show you what we hold about you
- correct anything that’s wrong
- delete your information
- stop or limit how we use it
- give you a copy to take elsewhere
Just email james@patchstate.com. It’s free, and we’ll reply within a month. Sometimes the law means we can’t do everything you ask. If so, we’ll explain why.
You can change your mind about cookies at any time using the Cookie settings link at the bottom of the page.
If you’re not happy
Please email james@patchstate.com. We’ll confirm we’ve received your complaint within 30 days and tell you what happens next.
You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK’s data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this page
We may update this page from time to time. The date at the top shows when it last changed.