Privacy Policy

Who we are

The Diving Centre Ltd is the data controller responsible for your personal information. We are a dive shop and PADI training centre based at Cleadon Lane Industrial Estate, East Boldon, South Tyneside, NE36 0AH. Our VAT registration number is 886672169.

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your information, you can reach us using the details in the Contact section at the end of this page.

What information we collect

We collect information that you give us, information we gather automatically when you use the site, and information from a small number of third parties.

Information you give us

This includes your name, email address, phone number, billing and delivery address, order and course booking details, dive qualifications and experience, and any messages you send us. When you book training, we may also collect emergency contact details and dive medical information (covered separately below).

Information we collect automatically

When you use the site we may collect your device and browser type, IP address, the pages you view and how you arrived, using cookies and similar technologies. See our Cookie Policy for the detail.

Payment information

Card payments are processed securely by Stripe. We do not see or store your full card details. Stripe handles that information as a separate data controller under its own privacy policy.

How we use your information

We use your information for the purposes below, and rely on a lawful basis under UK data protection law for each one.

Dive medical information

Diver training and some dives require us to ask about your health and medical history, for example through a medical questionnaire. This is special category data because it concerns your health. We collect and use it only to assess whether you can take part safely, and only with your explicit consent or where it is necessary to protect your safety or that of others.

We keep medical information secure, share it only where needed for your safety (for example with an instructor or, where you agree, a medical professional), and do not use it for any other purpose. You can withdraw your consent, although this may mean we cannot let you take part in certain activities for safety reasons.

Who we share your information with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with trusted parties who help us run the business, and only as far as needed:

• Stripe, for secure payment processing
• Delivery and courier companies, to fulfil your orders
• PADI and other certifying agencies, to register your training and issue certifications
• Our website hosting and IT providers, who keep the site running
• Google, for website analytics and, where you allow it, advertising
• Our accountants and professional advisers
• Authorities or regulators where we are required to by law

Some of these providers may process data outside the UK. Where they do, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as approved contractual clauses so your information stays protected.

How long we keep your information

We keep your information only for as long as we need it for the purposes set out above, then delete or anonymise it. Order and financial records are kept for at least six years to meet tax and accounting rules. Training and certification records are kept in line with the requirements of the certifying agency. Marketing contact details are kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to remove them.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct information that is wrong or incomplete
• Ask us to delete your information in certain circumstances
• Ask us to restrict or object to how we use your information
• Ask us to transfer your information to another provider
• Withdraw your consent at any time, where we rely on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113, although we would welcome the chance to help first.

How we keep your information safe

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including a secure (HTTPS) website, restricted access to personal data, and trusted providers for payments and hosting. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information and to respond properly if anything goes wrong.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the date shown at the top of this page. Please check back occasionally to stay informed.