Last updated: 27 October 2026
In short
This website keeps a very small amount of information in your browser so that it works properly — for example, so your basket doesn’t empty itself as you move between pages. We don’t use advertising cookies, we don’t run analytics that follow you around the web, and we don’t sell information about your visit.
This policy is published by SAMPLUS LIMITED, trading as Hollytree Pharmacy. It explains what we store, why, for how long, and how you can remove it.
A quick explanation of the terms
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to keep, and to send back on your next request. Browsers also offer session storage and local storage, which do a similar job but stay inside your browser and are never sent to our server. Where this policy says “cookies”, it means all three.
Cookies we set
All of the cookies we set ourselves are essential. UK law allows essential cookies without asking first, because the site can’t provide what you’ve asked for without them.
| What it does | Type | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Visit session — links your page views together, so the site remembers your basket, the progress of a checkout and anything you’re part-way through filling in. | Essential cookie | Ends after 2 hours without activity |
| Form security — a random token that proves a form was sent from our site, protecting you against forged requests. | Essential cookie | Same as your visit session |
| Security check — on the contact and enquiry forms, remembers which picture code you were shown so your answer can be checked. | Stored with your visit session | Same as your visit session |
Information kept only in your browser
These items never leave your device and are not sent to us.
- Seasonal message — when you close our flu and Covid vaccination pop-up, your browser notes it so the message doesn’t keep reappearing. This is held in session storage and disappears when you close the tab.
- On-screen messages — the small library we use to show confirmation and error messages can keep a single setting in local storage.
- Saved copy for offline use — if you add our website to your phone’s home screen, your browser keeps a simple “you’re offline” page and a few images, so something still appears without a signal. It contains no personal information.
Services provided by other companies
A few parts of the site load content from, or link to, other organisations. When that happens your browser connects to them directly, so they receive basic technical details such as your IP address and browser type, and their own privacy and cookie policies apply.
- Maps — the maps showing where we are are built from OpenStreetMap map images.
- Code libraries — some of the tools that make pages interactive, such as the maps and pop-up messages, are delivered by content networks (jsDelivr, unpkg and cdnjs).
- Directions — the “Get directions” and “View on Google Maps” buttons open Google Maps or Waze. Nothing is sent to them unless you click.
- Booking, prescriptions and your account — appointments, repeat prescription orders and signing in are handled by our technology partner, App & Tap, on their own pages. Their privacy policy explains the cookies they use.
- Card payments — when you pay for a shop order you are taken to a secure payment page run by our payment provider, which may set its own cookies, for example to help prevent fraud.
What we never use
- Advertising, retargeting or “remarketing” cookies
- Social media tracking pixels
- Analytics or heat-mapping tools that record your behaviour on the site
If we ever wanted to add a cookie that isn’t essential, we would ask for your permission first and update this page before doing so.
Removing or blocking cookies
You can clear cookies and stored site data whenever you like, and set your browser to block them. If you block the essential ones, parts of the site — your basket, checkout and our forms — won’t work.
Your browser’s help pages explain how: Chrome · Safari · Firefox · Edge.
Changes to this policy
If the way our website works changes, we’ll update this page and the date at the top.
Get in touch
Questions about this policy? Email contact@hollytreepharmacy.co.uk, call 020 8300 6857, or write to Hollytree Pharmacy, 2-3 Hollytree Parade, Sidcup Hill, Footscray, Sidcup, DA14 6JR.
Related: privacy policy · data protection policy · terms of use.
