Trading Standards introduce new cross-border scheme

Central Bedfordshire Council is preparing to extend its successful Trading Standards Approved (TSA) scheme to traders who are based outside the area.

The Central Bedfordshire Council building in Chicksands

Approved businesses agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme and have to be checked by trading standards to ensure compliance.

But now the scheme is being offered to businesses and traders who are outside of Central Bedfordshire, but whose work and customer base means that they operate in the area on a regular basis.

Cllr David McVicar, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “Every year Trading Standards is made aware of around five thousand complaints about businesses in the area but there are plenty of traders working outside of Central Bedfordshire who aren’t monitored by us.

“By extending the scheme outside of our area, residents know that they can find trustworthy traders who have been approved by the council.

“By far the highest proportion of these relate to car sales, car servicing and the businesses associated with home improvements. This scheme is a positive move to improve the way in which traders deal with consumers.  

“There is no place in it for rogue traders who do not care for customer satisfaction or compliance with the law whether they are in Central Bedfordshire or on the fringes of the area.”

Traders who are registered with the scheme receive a host of benefits including TSA membership, promotion of their business and improved customer confidence while consumers get peace of mind by being able to check up on companies.

To find out more call trading standards on 0300 300 8136, email trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk  or go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/tsapproved