How Patch handles your data.

Who we are

Patch is a local print magazine operated by Patch Media Ltd, part of Patch Group Ltd, based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. If you have a question about your data, email us at hello@trypatch.co.uk.

What we collect

• Reader sign-ups. Your email address when you ask to be notified about a new issue.
• Member accounts. Your name, business name, email, phone, edition, chosen ad slot, artwork you upload or a brief for us to design one, and billing status via Stripe. Card details are handled by Stripe — we never see or store them.
• Enquiries. Anything you write to us via forms or email.

Marketing emails — what you will actually receive

You will only receive marketing emails from Patch if you tick the optional Patch updates box. When you do, expect roughly one email a month — never more than one a week — covering:

• A heads-up when a new issue lands on doorsteps.
• Short local stories, features and behind-the-scenes notes.
• Tips for local businesses and occasional Patch offers.

We never sell or share your email with third parties. Every marketing email includes a one-click unsubscribe, and you can also withdraw consent any time from your account dashboard.

Transactional emails (issue delivery confirmations, receipts, artwork approvals, account notices) are sent separately and are not marketing — they continue even if you opt out of marketing.

Lawful basis

We rely on consent for marketing emails and reader sign-ups, and on contract for member accounts, artwork and billing. Consent can be withdrawn at any time without affecting the lawfulness of anything sent before.

How long we keep it

If you cancel your membership we keep your account details and artwork on file so you can pick up where you left off. You can ask us to delete everything at any time by emailing hello@trypatch.co.uk. Financial records are kept for six years to meet UK tax rules.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR you can ask us to access, correct, delete or restrict your data, or object to processing. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).