Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

WEST YORKSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE SUPPORT LOCAL REPUTABLE TRADERS THROUGH FIRST CHECKPOINT SCHEME

Every year, Trading Standards Services across the country promote National Consumer Week and this year’s theme is “A Foot in the Door”.  West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is organising various events throughout the week hoping to warn and educate people about the harm that can come from doorstep selling and other doorstep contacts. 

On Monday 11^th November West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service will be promoting the First Check Point Leeds scheme, which has been a great success since its launch on 30^th October 2001.

First Check Point Leeds is the first port of call when older people need any job, large or small, doing either in the house or the garden.  Having compiled a list of reputable traders First Check Point can put a consumer in touch with the right tradesperson, company or contractor to do the job. 

Prior to registering with First Check Point, each tradesperson is put through a stringent checking process.  This includes seeking references from previous customers, vetting for complaints to West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Police checks for criminal convictions.

First Checkpoint and West Yorkshire Trading Standards are joining forces for a joint promotion of the scheme at Leeds Civic Hall on Monday 11^th November at 9.30am.  Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Keith Wakefield, will be attending to show support for the scheme. Brian Megson, joint co-ordinator of First Checkpoint, will also attend the event along with accredited traders.

Anybody wanting to contact First Check Point can contact them on: 0870 013 27 27

Martin Wood Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Joint Services said:

 “We are extremely pleased with the success of First Check Point in Leeds. First Check Point offers an important service to the more vulnerable residents of West Yorkshire and we are fully committed to continued partnership with the scheme. It is not only members of the public who benefit from the work of First Check Point.  Honest traders suffer from being tarred with the same brush as ‘cowboys’ and the scheme helps protect the reputation of genuine trades people who just want to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.”

For further information please contact:

Mr. David Lovell – Trading Standards Officer Tel 0113 2898 233

Mr. Tony Downham – Principal Trading Standards Officer – 0113 289 8247

Mrs Linda Davis – Educations and Promotions Officer – Tel. 0113 289 8246

Mr. Graham Hebblethwaite – General Media Contact – 0113 289 8218

Notes to Editors:

The launch will take place at 9.30am in the Antechamber at Leeds Civic Hall, with the Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Keith Wakefield and Brian Megson of First Checkpoint. Officers from Trading Standards and at least one accredited contractor will also be attending.  It is very likely that “satisfied customers” will also be available to comment.

First Check Point scheme went live on 30^th October 2001.  At 30^th July 2002, 2,065 calls had been taken.  80% were allocated to live contractors and the rest were either referred to other agencies or being offered constructive advice on their problem.

Of the jobs allocated, 80% have been completed with the balance having been accepted with work to start at a future date.  The take-up rate (jobs quoted against quotes accepted) is 87%, a remarkable figure for any business.