Newsroom

OFT hits the road

New regional roadshows to raise awareness of consumer rights

PN 11/02     26 February 2002

The Office of Fair Trading is launching a nationwide programme of regional roadshows this week to help raise awareness of consumer rights and businesses' knowledge of competition and consumer law.

The roadshows will take place across the UK with the aim of:

• raising awareness among local consumers of their rights on the high street, so they can make better informed decisions when buying goods and services
• helping the OFT gain a better understanding of local issues and markets
• increasing awareness among local businesses of the Competition Act 1998 which prohibits anti-competitive agreements and abuse of a dominant position
• reminding businesses of their legal obligations to consumers under a range of consumer protection laws overseen by the OFT.

The roadshows will begin in Bristol on 27 February, moving on to Leeds on 20 March, with further visits planned around the UK over the coming months.

On the day of the roadshows, consumer information and advice will be available from an OFT stand at local shopping centres. OFT seminars for small and medium sized local businesses on consumer and competition law are also taking place to help ensure local businesses are trading fairly and competitively.

Launching the roadshows, John Vickers, Director General of Fair Trading said:

'The OFT's regional roadshows aim to increase shoppers' awareness of their rights on the high street, and provide local businesses with information and advice on consumer and competition law. They will also help the OFT to understand directly how markets are working for consumers in different regions of the UK.'

Small and medium sized businesses interested in attending future roadshows should contact the OFT's Business Information Unit on 020 7211 8576.

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