Privacy Policy

Creative Estuary is a project run by the University of Kent. The University of Kent is registered as a ‘Data Controller’ under registration number Z6847902. View the full entry on the register.

Please read the following carefully to understand how we will use your personal data.

How we collect your personal information

We collect certain information or data about you when you use creativeestuary.com. This includes:

• information you provide when you submit questions, queries or feedback you leave, including your email address if you send an email to creativeestuary.com
• your IP address, and details of which version of web browser you used
• information on how you use the site, using cookies and page tagging techniques to help us improve the website

How we use your data

We use this information to:

• improve the site by monitoring how you use it
• respond to any feedback you send us, if you’ve asked us to
• provide you with information about the partnership

Our lawful basis for processing your data

We rely on the following lawful basis as allowed by the UK GDPR for processing your personal data as this is necessary for:

• you have given your consent for one or more specific purposes- Article 6(1)(a)

Who your information will be shared with

We use third party organisations (known as data processors) who carry out services on the University’s behalf under contract. We will ensure that only the minimum amount of relevant personal data necessary for the purpose is transferred. We will ensure that contractual agreements exist to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and that data is used solely under our instruction. In these circumstances personal data shall be deleted after the contract has terminated.

• Microsoft (the University uses Microsoft 365 as its main IT platform).
• MailChimp (for mailing lists)

We have a data sharing agreement with Studio Playne.

For more information please see Studio Playne’s privacy policy here

Sometimes it is necessary for your personal information to be shared:

• with competent authorities (such as the police, NCA) or action fraud for law enforcement purposes (for on substantial public interest reasons – Article 9(2)(g) – for preventing or detecting unlawful acts, safeguarding or fraud purposes.
• with our professional advisors where it is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims – Article 9(2)(f).

Occasionally the University may, if appropriate, legitimate and necessary, rely on relevant exemptions to UK GDPR provisions as are allowed under the Data Protection Act 2018 (in relation to crime and taxation, management forecasts, negotiations, confidential references and exam scripts and exam marks).

We won’t share your information with any other organisations for marketing, market research or commercial purposes, and we don’t pass on your details to other websites.

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. We do not have any control over other websites and we are not responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not covered by this privacy policy. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy policy applicable to the website in question.

Transfer of your information outside of the UK

When it is necessary for us to transfer your personal information across national boundaries to a third party data processor, such as one of our service providers, we will ensure this safeguards your personal information by requiring such transfers are made in compliance with all relevant data protection laws.

• Personal data processed within our Microsoft 365 tenancy is hosted within the EU although Microsoft may transfer limited data to sub-processors based elsewhere (including the United States).
• Mailchimp’s servers are located in the United States, and Mailchimp also uses third-party vendors with servers that may be located outside the US. Data processed by Mailchimp, including user data, can be transferred to, stored, or processed in the United States.

The transfer is authorised by:

• adequacy regulations made by the Secretary of State found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-approach-to-international-data-transfers/international-data-transfers-building-trust-delivering-growth-and-firing-up-innovation#uk-adequacy 
• safeguards prescribed by the UK GDPR, a copy of which can be obtained here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-

How long your personal data will be kept

• Personal data, including name and email address will be stored until asked to be deleted. You have the right to receive a copy of the personal data that we hold about you. If you would like to make such a request, please contact us via the website.

Security

We will ensure that security measures are in place to prevent the accidental loss, unauthorised use or access to your data. Access is given to staff on a ‘need to know’ basis. Our staff are required to keep your data safe and complete data protection training.

We have procedures in place to deal with any data security incidents and will notify you and the ICO in the event of a data breach where we are required to do so.

Your rights

Please be aware of the following rights which can be accessed free of charge by contacting dataprotection@kent.ac.uk:

• know how we are using your personal information and why (right to information)
• access the personal data held by us (subject access request)
• ask for correction of any mistakes (rectification)
• to object to direct marketing
• to complain to the ICO

In some circumstances you also have the right to:

• object to how we are using your information
• ask us to delete information about you (the right to be forgotten)
• have your information transferred electronically
• object to automated decisions which significantly affect you
• restrict us from using your information.

For further guidance regarding your rights please see the ICO website.

Your rights- if you have given consent or explicit consent for a specific use of your personal data

You can withdraw your consent at any time.

You can do this by contacting us at info@creativeestuary.com

This does not affect the lawfulness of the processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Your right to complain to the Information Commissioner

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Their helpline telephone number is: 0303 123 1113.

Contacts

If you have any questions or concerns about the way the University has used your data, or wish to exercise any of your rights, please consult our website. The University’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at: dataprotection@kent.ac.uk

Cookies

We use cookies on our site to see how people use our site and to help provide enhanced services. For more information please refer to the University of Kent cookies disclaimer.

Copyright and disclaimer

We make every effort to keep our web content up to date and assert ownership of the material on the site (unless otherwise stated) but will consider re-use and re-publication on request. For more information please refer to the University of Kent Copyright and disclaimer.

This policy was last updated in December 2025 and will be regularly reviewed.

Creative Estuary Business Directory Terms & Conditions

Acceptance of Terms

For the purpose of these conditions we refer to www.creativeestuary.com and its business directory collectively known as ‘the website’ or ‘we’. We provide our service to you, subject to the following conditions which may be updated from time to time with notice provided, where possible. You are advised to check back regularly, as our terms and conditions of service may change. By using the website either as a guest and viewer, you automatically confirm that you accept these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to these conditions, please do not use the website at any time. We process information about you in line with the above Privacy Policy. By using the website, you agree to the methods by which we process your personal information.

Access to our Website

We reserve the right to withdraw or amend the service we provide on our website without notice (see below). We will not be liable if, for any reason, our site is unavailable at any time or for any period. You agree that we shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.

Using the Website

You are responsible for making all arrangements necessary for you to have access to our site. You are also responsible for ensuring that all persons who access this website through your internet connection are aware of these terms and that they comply with them. This website should only be used for lawful purposes; therefore, under no circumstances can you use the website for:

• any unlawful purpose;
• promoting any illegal activities, inciting violence or promoting sexually explicit material;
• promoting any form of discrimination;
• the purpose of harming, threatening, defaming or abusing/harassing any other person in a way that invades someone’s privacy or is (in our reasonable opinion) offensive or unacceptable;
• to create, check, confirm, update or amend someone else’s databases, records, directories, customer lists, mailing or prospecting lists;
• to provide any kind of customer lists or commercial information service;
• as a source of material or contact data for any kind of marketing activity;
• to tamper with, update or change any part of the website;
  • in a way that affects how it is run;
  • in a way that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionally large burden on the website’s technical systems as determined by us; or
  • using any automated means to monitor or copy the website or its content, or to interfere with or attempt to interfere with how the website works.

Providing material to Creative Estuary’s business directory

If you provide any material to the website, you agree to grant us permission, free of charge, to use your material in any way we want (including altering and adapting it for operational or editorial reasons) in any media worldwide. In certain circumstances, we may share your material with other trusted organisations but only those who have a direct connection with Creative Estuary. After posting or emailing your material to the website, you continue to own that material, and you continue to have the right to use your material in any way you choose. Please choose carefully any information you post on the website, as it will be available for public viewing.
By providing any material to the website, and for us to be able to use it, you confirm that:

• your material is your own original work, or you are authorised to provide it to the website;
• your material is not defamatory (that is, it does not damage someone’s good reputation);
• does not take away or affect any other person’s privacy rights, copyright, contract rights or any other rights, and
• your material does not otherwise break any laws of England and Wales;
• you have the right to give us permission to use it for the purposes specified above.

You acknowledge that we do not have a duty to publish any material you have provided. We have the right to;

• reject or refuse to post any material you have provided;
• remove any material from the website, whether or not the material goes against any of these conditions; or
• restrict, suspend or stop your access to all or any part of the website at any time.

We will not display your name with your material on the website, but we may need to contact you for administrative purposes or to make checks on your material. If you do not want to grant us the permission set out above on these terms, please do not provide any material to the website.

Listing on Creative Estuary’s Business Directory

All listings will remain free for an indefinite period. Subscribers can cancel their listing at any time by contacting us at info@creativeestuary.com.
Age restriction – there is no minimum age for owning a company, but you cannot be one of its directors until you are 16. A company needs to have at least one director and a company secretary, so you would have to arrange for someone old enough to fill those positions until you are old enough, then you would be allowed to list this business on the Directory.

Subscribers

Your dealings with subscribers or Companies and any entity whatsoever as found through this Directory and this Service are solely between you and such Company, Partnership or entity. You agree that we will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of such dealings or as the result of the presence of a listing on this Service.

Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold Creative Estuary, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, co-branders or other partners, and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable legal fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Sites you submit, or make available through the Service, your use of the Service, your connection to the Service, your violation of the Terms and Conditions, or your violation of any rights of another.

Disclaimer of Warranties

You expressly understand and agree that your use of the Service is at your sole risk. We expressly disclaim all warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. We make no warranty that;

• the Service will meet your requirements;
• the Service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free;
• the results that may be obtained from the use of the Service will be accurate or reliable, or
• the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you through the Service will meet your expectations.

No information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from Creative Estuary or through the Service shall create any warranty not expressly stated in the terms and conditions.

Limitation of Liability

You expressly understand and agree that we shall not be liable for any damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses resulting from;

• the use or the inability to use the service;
• the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services resulting from any goods, data, information or services purchased or obtained, messages received, or transactions entered into through or from the Service;
• statements or conduct of any third party on the Service; or
• any other matter relating to the Service.

Copyright

Creative Estuary respects the intellectual property of others, and we expect our users to do the same. If you believe that your work has been infringed or your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please provide us with the following information: an electronic or physical signature of the person authorised to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright; a description of the infringed copyrighted work; a description of where the infringing material is located on the site; your address, email address, and telephone number; a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorised by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your Notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorised to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.