Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 2026

What’s On MK (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website whatsonmk.co.uk. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use and protect your personal information when you visit our site or sign up to our newsletter.

We take your privacy seriously. We will never sell your personal data to third parties.

1. Who We Are

What’s On MK is an independent local events and lifestyle guide for Milton Keynes, operated as a sole trader business based in Milton Keynes, England.

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, you can contact us at: hello@whatsonmk.co.uk

2. What Information We Collect

Information you give us:

• Newsletter signup: When you subscribe to our newsletter we collect your email address. We may also collect your first name if you choose to provide it.
• Contact form: When you use our contact or advertising enquiry forms we collect your name, email address and the content of your message.

Information collected automatically:

• Cookies: Our website uses cookies to understand how visitors use the site. See Section 5 for full details.
• Analytics: We use Google Analytics to collect anonymous data about how people use our website, including pages visited, time spent on site and general location (country/city level). This data does not identify you personally.
• Server logs: Our hosting provider automatically records IP addresses and browser information for security purposes. These logs are retained for a maximum of 30 days.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Send you our newsletter if you have subscribed (you can unsubscribe at any time)
• Respond to enquiries sent via our contact form
• Understand how our website is used so we can improve it
• Comply with legal obligations

We will never use your information for automated decision-making or profiling.

4. Our Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Consent: For newsletter subscriptions and non-essential cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time.
• Legitimate interests: For analytics that help us improve the site, and for responding to enquiries.
• Legal obligation: Where we are required to retain certain records.

5. Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. We use the following types:

Essential cookies — required for the website to function. These cannot be disabled.

Analytics cookies — we use Google Analytics to understand visitor behaviour. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymous usage data. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

Third-party cookies — some content on our site (such as embedded videos or maps) may set cookies from third-party services including YouTube and Google Maps. These are governed by the respective third-party privacy policies.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how the site works.

6. Affiliate Links & Third-Party Services

Some links on What’s On MK are affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase or booking, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the site free to use.

We use affiliate programmes including but not limited to: Skiddle, Eventbrite, Booking.com, Viator, OpenTable and Amazon Associates. Each of these services has its own privacy policy governing how they handle your data when you visit their sites.

Our editorial content is not influenced by affiliate relationships. We only recommend places and services we genuinely believe are worth visiting.

7. Newsletter (Brevo)

Our newsletter is powered by Brevo (formerly Sendinblue). When you subscribe, your email address is stored securely on Brevo’s servers in the European Union.

We use a double opt-in process — you will receive a confirmation email and must click to confirm before being added to our list. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by contacting us at hello@whatsonmk.co.uk.

Brevo’s privacy policy is available at brevo.com/legal/privacypolicy.

8. How Long We Keep Your Data

• Newsletter subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete your data.
• Contact form submissions: Up to 12 months, unless we have an ongoing business relationship.
• Analytics data: Google Analytics data is retained for 26 months by default.
• Server logs: Maximum 30 days.

9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Correct any inaccurate data we hold
• Delete your data (the “right to be forgotten”)
• Restrict how we process your data
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent at any time where consent is our legal basis
• Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe we have mishandled your data

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@whatsonmk.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

You can contact the ICO at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

10. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss or misuse. Our website is served over HTTPS. Third-party services we use (Google Analytics, Brevo) are reputable providers with their own security certifications.

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. If you have reason to believe your data has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our site contains links to external websites including event organisers, venues and booking platforms. Once you leave whatsonmk.co.uk we are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date at the top. We recommend checking this page periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data:

What’s On MK
Email: hello@whatsonmk.co.uk
Website: whatsonmk.co.uk
Milton Keynes, England