Privacy policy

This policy explains how SMH Events Limited uses personal information when you use our website, contact us or hire equipment and services from us.

1. Who we are

SMH Events Limited is the controller of the personal information described in this policy. We are registered in England and Wales under company number 14748497. Our registered office is 34 Coram Green, Hutton, Brentwood, England, CM13 1LN.

For privacy questions or to exercise your rights, email hire@smh-events.com, call 07908 009 266, or write to our registered office marked “Privacy”.

2. Information we collect

When you enquire or book with us, we may collect your name, contact details, organisation where relevant, event and hire requirements, dates, guest numbers, venue or delivery address, access information and the messages you send us.

We also keep information needed to manage quotations and bookings, including correspondence, delivery and collection arrangements, acceptance of terms, payment and invoice records, and records needed to deal with queries, complaints or claims. If somebody arranges a booking on your behalf, we may receive relevant details from them.

When you use our website, we may receive technical and usage information such as your IP address, device and browser details, pages visited, referring source, campaign information and technical logs. Some information may be stored in your browser to provide website features such as baskets or sessions.

3. How and why we use information

We use enquiry and booking information to answer questions, prepare quotations, check availability, arrange hires, deliver and collect equipment, and communicate about the service. This is generally necessary to take steps at your request before a contract or to perform our contract with you.

We use accounting and transaction records to meet legal obligations. We may also process relevant information for our legitimate interests in running the business, keeping accurate records, protecting our systems, preventing misuse or fraud, resolving complaints and establishing or defending legal claims.

We may use website and enquiry-source information to understand how people find us and improve our website and services. Non-essential tracking or advertising technologies are used only where the law permits them, including obtaining consent where required.

Submitting an enquiry does not automatically sign you up to promotional marketing. You can object to direct marketing or ask us to stop it at any time.

4. Who we share information with

We use service providers to operate our website and business, including providers of hosting and IT services, communications, address or location services, payments, accounting, security and related business systems.

We may also share relevant booking or site information with our staff, crew, subcontractors and suppliers where they need it to help deliver the hire, and with professional advisers, insurers or public authorities where reasonably necessary or required by law.

We limit sharing to information that is reasonably necessary for the purpose and expect organisations processing information for us to handle it in accordance with applicable data protection law.

5. Cookies and website analytics

Our website uses cookies or browser storage where needed to provide features, maintain sessions, remember selections and support security and reliable operation.

We may use analytics to understand website visits and interactions and to improve our services. Non-essential analytics or advertising storage is used only where permitted by law, including with consent where required.

You can manage cookies and similar storage through any privacy controls we make available and through your browser settings. Blocking or clearing some storage may affect website features.

We do not use your personal information to make solely automated decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you.

6. International transfers

Some organisations that process information for us may operate or store information outside the UK.

Where UK data protection law requires safeguards for an international transfer, we use an applicable adequacy decision or other approved safeguards.

7. How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose it was collected, taking account of whether an enquiry becomes a booking, accounting and tax requirements, ongoing service or complaint matters, insurance needs and possible legal claims. We delete or anonymise information when it is no longer required.

8. Your rights and complaints

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, request deletion or restriction, object to certain uses, and receive information you supplied in a portable format. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing.

You can object to direct marketing at any time. You may also object to processing based on legitimate interests where the law gives you that right.

To exercise a privacy right, contact us using the details in section 1. We may need to verify your identity and locate the relevant records. We normally respond within one month, subject to the provisions allowed by law.

You can also complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or by calling 0303 123 1113.

9. Information needed to quote or hire

We need certain contact, event and delivery information to respond properly, prepare a quotation and organise a hire. If necessary information is not provided, we may be unable to complete those steps. Information described as optional can be left blank.

10. Updates to this policy

We may update this policy when our services, legal requirements or data practices change. The date at the top shows the latest published version.

Questions? We’re here to help.

Contact our team or call 07908 009 266.