Privacy Policy

How The Tradesmen Association collects, uses and protects personal information — for customers looking for a tradesperson, and for tradespeople who are members.

Last updated: 11 September 2026

Who we are

The Tradesmen Association (“we”, “us”) operates thetradesmenassociation.co.uk, a directory that connects customers in Kent with local tradespeople. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

Registered office: [REGISTERED ADDRESS]. Company number: [COMPANY NUMBER]. You can contact us using the form on our contact page, or by phone on 01843 595337.

Information we collect

If you send an enquiry

When you contact a member through their profile, or contact us directly, we collect your name, email address, phone number if you give one, your postcode, and the details of what you need doing.

If you are a member

To list your business we collect your business and contact details, the areas and trades you cover, your service description and images, and your account login details. As part of our checks we also collect photo identification, public liability insurance certificates, and trade qualification certificates where the work requires them.

Payment information

Membership is paid by Direct Debit through GoCardless. Your bank details are given directly to GoCardless and are held by them, not by us. We receive only confirmation that a mandate exists and that payments have succeeded or failed.

Technical information

Our hosting provider records standard server logs, including IP addresses and browser information, to keep the site secure and working correctly.

How we use it, and why we are allowed to

• To pass enquiries to members. When you send an enquiry it goes to the tradesperson you selected, and a copy comes to our office so that nothing is lost. Our basis is legitimate interests — running the introduction service you asked us to perform.
• To provide and administer membership. Basis: performance of our contract with the member.
• To carry out verification checks on identity, insurance and qualifications. Basis: legitimate interests in keeping the directory trustworthy for customers.
• To take payment and keep accounting records. Basis: contract, and legal obligation for tax records.
• To keep the site secure. Basis: legitimate interests.

We do not sell personal information, and we do not charge members per lead, so we have no reason to share your enquiry with anyone other than the tradesperson you chose.

Who we share it with

• The member you sent an enquiry to.
• GoCardless, for Direct Debit payments.
• Our website hosting and email providers, who process data on our instructions.
• Professional advisers, or authorities where the law requires it.

Public information on member profiles

A member profile is a public web page. The business name, description, services, coverage areas, phone number, images and verification badges shown on it are visible to anyone and may appear in search engines. Member email addresses are never displayed publicly — enquiries are routed through a form instead.

How long we keep it

• Enquiries: two years from the date sent.
• Member accounts and profile content: for as long as the membership is active, and twelve months afterwards.
• Verification documents: for the duration of the membership, then deleted within three months of it ending.
• Payment and accounting records: six years, as tax law requires.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you can ask us for a copy of the information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, ask us to delete it, object to how we are using it, or ask us to restrict our use of it. Contact us and we will respond within one month.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk, or on 0303 123 1113.

Cookies

We use only the cookies needed to make the site work — for example to keep members signed in and to keep forms secure. These do not track you across other websites. If we add analytics or advertising cookies in future we will ask for your consent first and update this policy.

Changes

If we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page.