Network members

New network members

• Durham County Council's County Durham Registered Trader Scheme
• Carmarthenshire County Council Registered Traders Scheme

The following are members of the Network.

Find out how your scheme can join the network.

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County Durham Registered Trader Scheme

The Registered Trader Scheme was launched in June 2005 by Durham County Council Trading Standards Service. It aims to provide consumers with a list of vetted home repair trades people, who are committed to honest and fair trading. The scheme works closely with Age Concern, home improvement agencies, district councils and the Citizens Advice Bureaux , and the police.

The Registered Trader Scheme is an important part of our work to tackle the problem of doorstep crime.

A list of members of the scheme, can be obtained by telephoning Durham County Council's Trading Standards Service reception 0191 3833589 or via the website. Partner agencies also promote the scheme with their clients.

Durham County council Trading Standards Service are happy to discuss the scheme with any authority that are looking to establish a similar trader assurance scheme.

Please contact Craig Hudson for more information.

Trading Standards Service
Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham, DH1 5UB

0191 383 3707 (Direct Line)

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Carmarthenshire County Council Registered Traders scheme

Carmarthenshire County Council's Registered Traders scheme was founded in 2003 by Trading Standards and now has over 90 members.

It covers all aspects of the building trade and members must sign a contract of membership which contains terms and conditions requiring compliance with fair trading legislation and general good trading practices.

For further information and a list of current members please contact:

Viv Jones
Trading Standards Services
Carmarthenshire County Council
3rd Floor
Ty Elwyn
Llanelli
SA15 3AP

Tel: 01554 742306
 
Alternatively visit our website at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/registeredtradersscheme

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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's Shipshape scheme

The Shipshape scheme was launched in 2004 by Solihull Council and is a trader assurance scheme for home improvement professionals.

The scheme aims to provide consumers with a list of traders they can rely on and give legitimate traders the opportunity to show they are committed to providing a good service for their customers. The list is available from the Council over the telephone or can be downloaded from the Council's website. A guide for consumers is supplied with each copy of the list.

Businesses that apply to join the scheme are assessed to ensure that they meet certain minimum standards. They must also make a commitment to fair, professional and honest trade.

All applicants are subject to an approval process and are required to provide copies of business documents, training/membership certificates and public liability insurance.

• references are taken as part of the approval process, and
• all applicants are interviewed before membership is granted.

Members are encouraged to advertise their membership of the scheme. Members are supplied with an electronic version of the scheme logo along with information about what is permitted with respect to promoting membership of the scheme.

For more details of the scheme and a list of members please visit the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council website.

Further information about Shipshape is available by writing to:
Solihull MBC Public Protection
PO Box 1833
Council House
Solihull
B91 9DZ

Solihull Public Protection, who administer Shipshape, are happy to discuss the scheme with any authority that are looking to establish a similar trader assurance scheme. Please contact Richard Staveley on 0121 704 8124 for more information.

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Buy With Confidence

Buy With Confidence is a generic, multi-sector scheme, which has been operational for over eight years and now covers much of the South of England and has started to spread beyond this region to include a number of other local authorities.  A merger between Buy With Confidence and the CustomerFirst scheme was completed in June 2008, creating the largest scheme of its kind in the country with more than 2,000 business members.  The scheme aims to support and promote reputable local businesses, while fulfilling a valuable consumer information and protection role.

While it is a generic scheme, Buy With Confidence can be adapted to be sector specific and some authorities have concentrated on those sectors which create most consumer complaints, namely home improvements and the motor trade.

To find out more or to search for a member, visit the Buy With Confidence website.

The Buy with Confidence scheme is currently fully operational in the following authorities:

Bath and North East Somerset Council

RH Pope/Ian Roberts
Trading Standards Division
Third Floor
9-10 Bath Street
Bath BA11SN
Phone: 01225 396753
Email: Roger_pope@bathnes.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest District Council

Trading Standards Service Environment and Leisure
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
RG12 1JD
01344 352 000

Brighton & Hove Council Trading Standards Department

Environmental Services
Brighton & Hove Council
Bartholomew House
Bartholomew Square
Brighton
BN1 1JP
01273 292 523

Devon County Council

Devon County Council Trading Standards Service
County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QH
Phone: 01392 381381
Fax: 01392 382732
Email: tsadvice@devon.gov.uk

East Sussex County Council

St Mary's House
52 St Leonards Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3UU
01323 418 215

Hampshire County Council

Trading Standards Department
Mottisfont Court
High Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8ZE
01962 869 765

Isle of Wight Council

Trading Standards Service
Jubilee Stores
The Quay
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 2EH
01983 823 370

Kent County Council

Trading Standards
1st Floor
Invicta House
County Hall, Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XX
01622 221012

Milton Keynes Council Trading Standards Division

Milton Keynes Council
PO Box 105
Civic Offices
1 Saxon Gates East
Milton Keynes
MK9 3HH
01908 252504

Nottinghamshire County & Nottingham City Council Trading Standards Services (in partnership)

100 Chesterfield Road South
Mansfield
Notts
NG19 7AQ
01623 452005

Portsmouth City Council Public Protection Service

Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AZ
023 9284 1293

Southampton City Council

Trading Standards Service
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LY
02380 833 999

South Gloucestershire Council

South Gloucestershire Council, Trading Standards
20 Marsh Common Road, Pilning
South Gloucestershire
BS35 4JX
Phone: 01454 634012
Email: Charlotte.Denham@southglos.gov.uk

Surrey County Council

Trading Standards
Mid Surrey Area Office
Bay Tree Avenue
Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 7SY
01372 371 737

West Sussex County Council

Trading Standards - WSCC
Centenary House
Durrington Lane
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 2NB
01243 642 124

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South Yorkshire Trading Standards Services Motor Trade Partnership scheme Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham

Membership to the scheme is open to motor vehicle retailers (new and used), whose premises are located within boundaries of the four South Yorkshire Authorities of Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley.

To find out more visit the Motor Trading Standards Scheme website or contact:

Tracey Hewer
Partnership Development Officer
Doncaster Trading Standards
The Council House
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 1RN  

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Rhondda Cynon Taff building and motor trade charters scheme

Rhondda Cynon Taff's consumer services section has set up a building and motor trade charter for businesses within Rhondda Cynon Taff.

The motor trade charter has been in existence for 10 years and has 42 members. The building trade charter was started this year.

Traders who have joined either charter agree to comply with terms and conditions which promote fair trading. A list of members is available to help you choose a reputable garage or builder.

If you would like a list of members within Rhondda Cynon Taff, or would like to become a member of our building or motor trade charter then please contact Andrew Addicott on 01443 484469, or write to:

Consumer Advice Centre
10 Church Street
Pontypridd
Mid Glamorgan
CF37 2TH

For more information visit the Rhondda Cynon Taff Trading Standards website.

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The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Home Improvement Trader Register scheme

The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Home Improvement Trader Register helps put consumers in touch with traders who are committed to doing a good job at a fair price.

Most householders know how difficult it can be to find a reliable builder, plumber, electrician or gardener. For some people who cannot get about as easily as they use to, this can become a real issue. They risk becoming the victims of doorstep rogues who call at the door and mislead them about the need for property repairs.

By working with our partners which include Age Concern, Home Improvement Agencies, District Councils and Citizens Advice Bureaux the Trader Register aims to protect consumers against such activity and promote good industry practice.

To find out more or to search for a member contact the Trader Register team on 01785 600610 or visit the Trade Register website.

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Dudley Trading Standards Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme

Dudley Trading Standards and Age Concern Dudley recognised a demand for a list of reliable tradespeople who would do a good job at a fair price. This demand was satisfied by developing the Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme.

The scheme provides a list of local trades people who will do repairs or small jobs around the house. Members must be invited or recommended by a satisfied customer before they can join the scheme. In addition, members must successfully complete a selection and interview process, and make certain commitments, before being accepted on the scheme.

The Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme has been operating successfully since 2000, and has grown to include builders, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, decorators and more recently, cleaners. The list is continually updated to include new members to the scheme.

The list is available on the internet, or a hard copy - including a large print copy - can be sent out free of charge.

To find out more about the Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme call Dudley Trading Standards on 01384 814697, or visit the Dudley Trading Standards website.

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Perth & Kinross Council – Better Business Partnership scheme

The Better Business Partnership is a membership scheme for small businesses and tradespersons aimed at improving public confidence in local small traders.

The scheme has been operating successfully since 2003 and now has over 150 members representing a wide and varied selection of trades and businesses.

There is no restriction on the type of business or trade who may apply. The scheme lists antique clock repairers, builders, electricians, painters, gardeners, plumbers, general handymen, motor mechanics, shopkeepers, window cleaners etc.

Local traders are required to sign a formal undertaking that they will comply with the terms and conditions of membership, confirming their commitment to trade fairly and honestly.

More information and downloads of the application form and guidelines can be obtained from the Perth & Kinross Council website.

For further information on the scheme, contact :

Derek Hutchison
Trading Standards
The Environment Service
Pullar House
Kinnoull Street
Perth
PH1 5GD

Phone: 01738 476476
Email: dehutchison@pkc.gov.uk

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Sandwell's 'Tradewell in Sandwell' scheme

‘Tradewell in Sandwell’ has been developed by the Councils Trading Standards Service in partnership with other local bodies who have a common interest, including the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age Concern, Age Well, Sandwell Traders Association, and the Councils Private Sector Housing.

There are three objectives of the scheme:

• to protect older and more vulnerable adults who are at risk of rogue traders, who may approach them in their homes selling such services as home improvements and repairs
• to assist home holders identify and engage competent and reliable tradesmen
• promote reliable, competent and ethical trades persons.

Traders who join the scheme agree to abide by a Code of Practice, designed to support those objectives and give consumers confidence and reassurance.

To search for a trades person or join the scheme visit the Trade Register website or call 0845 359 7522.

Further information can be obtained by writing to:

Mrs D. Timmins
Tradewell in Sandwell Scheme
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Environment House
PO Box 42
Lombard Street
West Bromwich
B70 8RU

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Dundee City Council - Trusted Trader Scheme

'Trusted Trader' is an innovative partnership scheme that allows consumers to assess the services provided by local business in targeted sectors through other consumers' experiences, and empowers them to make better choices when making certain purchasing decisions. The scheme increases consumer confidence, promotes good business practice, and helps protect citizens within the community from doorstep crime.

The scheme, which covers the property maintenance and vehicle servicing sectors, was launched in April 2005, utilising the Power to Advance Well-being contained in Part 3 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Trusted Trader is one of the first examples of regulatory services using that power to further the wellbeing of the local community and there are currently over 150 members in the scheme.

To search for a trader or find out more about the scheme visit the Trusted Trader website or call 01382 436260

Further information can be obtained from:

Kathryn Annand
Dundee City Council
EHTS
1 Highland Chief Way
Claverhouse Industrial Park
Dundee
DD4 9UA

Phone: 01382 436260
Fax: 01382 436226
Email: kathryn.annand@dundeecity.gov.uk

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Bedfordshire County Council - Trading Standards Approved Scheme

'Trading Standards Approved' is an approval scheme aimed at motor trade and home improvement businesses. The scheme aims to raise standards and give consumers more confidence in member businesses.

Members of the scheme must have shown that they trade fairly, follow the law, abide by the scheme's terms and conditions and have an effective complaints procedure.
 
For additional information about the scheme contact:

Trading Standards Service
4th Floor
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Phone: (01234) 228897
Email: business@bedscc.gov.uk
Bedfordshire Trading Standards website

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Cheshire County Council’s Golden Spanner Approved Motor Trader Scheme

Cheshire County Council’s Golden Spanner Approved Motor Trader Scheme lists the garages that are committed to providing a first class service. The scheme was launched in 1998 and its main aims are to:

• encourage & promote high standards in car sales, servicing & repairs
• improve the image of the motor trade in Cheshire
• increase compliance with consumer legislation, and
• improve consumer confidence by promoting Approved Traders.

More information can be obtained from the Golden Spanner website.

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Wirral Trader Scheme

The Wirral Trader scheme is an initiative of Wirral Council's Trading Standards Service. The scheme is open to all traders who are based within Wirral and are committed to delivering the highest standards of customer care and service. The scheme was launched in 2003 to satisfy the demand from customers for traders that Wirral Council's Trading Standards Service could recommend to them.

The Wirral Trader Scheme:

• provides a choice of traders that have been vetted by Trading Standards and who are committed to excellent service
• provides customers with a choice of traders that they can be confident are trusted in their homes
• provides a service that protects the more vulnerable residents of the Wirral Community from rogue traders
• promises swift and fair resolution to disputes should there be any customer dissatisfaction
• delivers service improvements from traders.

More information can be found on the Wirral Trading Standards website.

Back to: Local trader schemes