Bracknell

Bracknell Cllr iain McCracken with the new members of Buy With ConfidenceMore traders have been welcomed to Bracknell Forest Borough Council's list of approved traders - designed to give residents confidence when shopping or inviting workmen into their home.

Buy With Confidence was launched by trading standards officers in Bracknell Forest last year, and invited all traders to join the scheme - from plumbers to handymen. There are more than 1,500 members of Buy With Confidence across the south east.

Anyone wishing to join is checked for trustworthiness and compliance with the law, via compliments or complaints from previous customers and any criminal record or civil judgments.

The scheme encourages Bracknell residents to give good and bad feedback, and trading standards can mediate in disputes.

It has proved worthwhile to traders who found they were getting work in more areas from customers who were more trusting and less defensive.

Rob Sexton, Head of Trading Standards and Licensing, said: "We are steadily increasing the number of traders who want to prove to their customers they are trustworthy.

"If you are a trader who wants to show you are reputable, why not consider joining Buy With Confidence?"

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "We've heard from many residents about how helpful Buy With Confidence is when selecting traders.

"If you need someone trustworthy to visit your home, why not use one of our approved traders?"

For more information and traders details or to nominate a trader visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk, alternatively call trading standards on 01344 352583.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council