Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s approved trader network - has been nationally recognised as a flagship scheme.

The Trading Standards Service and Office of Fair Trading have acknowledged the benefits of Bracknell Buy With Confidence, which provides residents with a list of traders who have been vetted by trading standards for reliability and trustworthiness.

The scheme - run by nine councils across the South East - covers businesses from architects to window cleaners and has nearly 1,000 members.

On applying to be a member, businesses receive a full assessment by trading standards to ensure they operate in a legal, honest and fair way and that they offer a customer friendly service.

Once approved, the businesses are expected to abide by the scheme's code of practice.

It is one of only three schemes which have become members of the new Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network (LAATSN).

Colin Brown, Chair of the LAATSN National Standards and Support Committee, said: "We’re very pleased to welcome Buy With Confidence as a member of the network. It’s a good example of partnership in action between local authority trading standards services and demonstrates how such schemes can help a wide range of local businesses to understand consumer law and raise their levels of customer service.”

Rob Sexton, Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s Head of Trading Standards and Services, said: "The national recognition of Buy With Confidence shows the importance of these schemes to the consumer.

"If you are looking for a reputable trader, or want to join up yourself, please do get in touch.

"We are also keen for consumers to tell us about reputable traders who they would like to recommend for the scheme."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council