Last updated: 29 July 2026
This website is run by the creator of Percy the Cat, a children's book series. I take your privacy seriously and want to be clear about what information I collect and why.
1. Who I am
Percy the Cat is the trading name of Sarah J Merrien an independent children's author based in the UK. I am the data controller for the information described in this policy, which means I decide how and why it is used.
You can contact me by email at sarah@percythecat.co.uk, or via the Contact Me page on this website.
2. What information I collect
- When you make a purchase: your name, email address, delivery address and phone number. Your card details are collected and processed directly by Stripe — I never see or store them.
- When you create a shop account: your name and email address, and a record of your orders.
- When you subscribe to my newsletter: your email address, and your first name if you give it.
- When you contact me: your name, email address and whatever you write in your message.
- When you visit the website: information such as your IP address, which pages you visited, how long you spent on them, and the type of device and browser you used. This is collected through website analytics.
3. Why I collect it, and my legal basis
Under UK GDPR I have to have a legal reason for using your information. Here is what I use it for, and why I am allowed to:
- To fulfil your order and send you your books — because I need to in order to carry out my contract with you.
- To keep records of sales — because UK tax law requires me to.
- To send you my newsletter — because you have given me your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.
- To reply when you get in touch — because I have a legitimate interest in answering people who contact me.
- To understand how visitors use the website so I can improve it — because you have given me your consent through the cookie banner.
4. Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device.
Some are essential — they make the shop, the basket and the checkout work, and the site cannot function without them.
Others are optional. I use these to understand how people find and use the site so I can improve it. I only set them if you accept them on the banner when you first visit.
Declining the optional cookies won't stop you using the site or making a purchase. You can change your mind at any time by clearing the cookies in your browser settings.
5. Who I share your data with
I only share your information with the services that help me run this website and get your books to you:
- Stripe — to process payments securely
- GoDaddy — to host this website, run the shop and manage orders
- GoDaddy] — to send emails to subscribers
- Royal Mail— to deliver your order
I do not sell your data to anyone, ever, and I never pass it on for someone else's marketing.
Some of these companies store or process information outside the UK. Where that happens, your information is protected by safeguards approved under UK data protection law.
6. How long I keep your data
- Order information — 7 years, as required by UK tax law
- Newsletter subscriptions — until you unsubscribe. I then keep a record of your unsubscribe so I don't email you again by mistake.
- Messages you send me — 2 years
- Analytics data — up to 26 months
7. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- See what personal data I hold about you
- Ask me to correct anything that's wrong
- Ask me to delete it
- Ask me to limit how I use it
- Object to me using it
- Ask me to transfer it to another service
- Withdraw your consent at any time — including unsubscribing from the newsletter, using the link at the bottom of every email
Exercising any of these rights is free, and I'll respond within one month.
To exercise any of them, email me at sarah@percythecat.co.uk or get in touch via the Contact Me page.
If you're unhappy with how I've handled your data, please tell me first and I'll do my best to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, or by calling 0303 123 1113.
8. Children's privacy
This website is written for parents and adults. I do not knowingly collect personal data directly from children, and purchases and newsletter sign-ups are for adults only.
If you believe a child has given me their details, please email me at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] and I will delete them.
9. Changes to this policy
If I make any significant changes to this policy, I'll update the date at the top of this page. I'd encourage you to check back occasionally.
Percy the Cat | percythecat.co.uk | sarah@percythecat.co.uk