Privacy policy

Shaved Thermos Strings (“we”, “us”) operates an adult violin and strings studio at 42 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2FE, United Kingdom. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we process it, and the rights you have under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the supervisory authority for data protection in the United Kingdom.

Who we are

The data controller is Shaved Thermos Strings, reachable at [email protected] or by post at the Deansgate address above. Telephone enquiries may be made on +44 161 555 0184 during published studio hours.

Data we collect

When you contact us by email, phone, or the site form, we may process your name, email address, phone number, instrument details, experience notes, and preferred lesson times. If you become a student, we may also keep scheduling records, payment references, and brief progress notes needed to deliver lessons safely and consistently. We do not sell mailing lists and we do not request special-category health data as a routine requirement.

Purposes and lawful bases

We process enquiry data to respond to your request (legitimate interests in operating a studio, or steps prior to a contract). We process student scheduling and billing data to perform our contract with you. Where we use optional analytics cookies, we rely on consent you can withdraw at any time via the cookie controls. Necessary cookies that keep basic site functions working are processed on the basis of legitimate interests in providing a secure, working website.

Retention

Enquiry messages are kept only as long as needed to complete the conversation and any resulting enrolment—typically up to twenty-four months if no further relationship forms, unless a longer period is required for legal claims. Active student records are retained for the duration of lessons and a reasonable period afterward for accounting and safeguarding of studio records, then deleted or anonymised.

Sharing

We use service providers such as email hosts or payment processors only as needed to run the studio. Those processors are expected to handle data under appropriate agreements. We do not share your information for unrelated marketing. We may disclose data if required by UK law or a valid legal request.

International transfers

Where a tool stores data outside the United Kingdom, we take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards consistent with UK GDPR requirements.

Your rights

You may request access to your personal data, correction of inaccuracies, erasure in certain cases, restriction of processing, objection to processing based on legitimate interests, and data portability where applicable. You may withdraw consent for optional cookies without affecting necessary operations. To exercise rights, email [email protected]. You also have the right to complain to the ICO (ico.org.uk) if you believe your data has been mishandled.

Children

Our studio focuses on adult learners. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children through this website for marketing purposes.

Updates

We may update this policy when practices or law change. The version published on this page is the current one. Last updated 2026.