Shoppers and traders in Islington are set to benefit from the expansion of a FREE council-run scheme that will give shoppers added confidence when buying goods and services from local retailers.<br><br>The Islington Trader Scheme - or ITS - was launched by Islington Council in Angel, N1, in early 2007 and aims to encourage consumers to use Islington shops that have been 'vetted' by the council's trading standards officers. Now retailers in Nag's Head town centre, N7, are being visited to promote the scheme.<br><br>Islington Council has visited businesses on the ITS list to ensure that they have a basic knowledge of consumer law and are aware of their customer's statutory rights when buying goods and services. Full guidance and training will be offered to any business to help bring them up to speed if they are not sure.<br><br>Cllr Terry Stacy, Deputy Leader Islington Council said: "We want to encourage people to shop locally - it's the best way to keep our high street shopfronts occupied and Islington's retail economy thriving.<br><br>"The Islington Trader Scheme is a badge of approval that means the retailer you are buying from shouldn't sell you unsafe goods or misdescribed products and if things go wrong they'll treat you properly."<br><br>Member shops are also expected to comply with other trading standards laws that are enforced by council officers such as safety, pricing and trade descriptions. If a trader passes the audit inspection, they will be allowed into the scheme. In return, the shop's details will go onto the web pages set up for ITS and promotional material will be issued. Residents and visitors to the borough will be encouraged to shop where they see the 'red bag' sign.<br><br>ITS also offers a free mediation scheme to help settle any customer/trader disputes that can't be solved in the shop. Businesses that already operate a returns policy on unwanted goods (where the customer has changed their mind) will not have to make any changes as a result of joining ITS so long as the policy is legal and fair.<br><br>Businesses are now being approached with the support of the Nag's Head Town Centre Management Board and Town Centre Manager, Joyce Pollaya. Speaking in support of the scheme, Joyce commented: "The Nag's Head is a continually improving town centre and an excellent location to expand the scheme. ITS gives our local retailers recognition for providing high standards of customer care and that means shoppers can buy with confidence locally. I hope Nag's Head businesses will take full advantage of the benefits on offer."<br><br>Businesses who wish to apply can contact Islington Business Partnership on 020 7527 3185 or e-mail businesspartnership@islington.gov.uk. More information for consumers and businesses can also be found at www.islington.gov.uk/shopping<br><br>ENDS<br><br><br>Notes to Editors:<br><br>The Islington Trader Scheme was launched in February 2007 by the then Mayor of Islington Cllr Jyoti Vaja. <br><br>ITS aims to:<br><br>* Promote local shopping areas in Islington<br>* Increase compliance with trading standards legislation<br>* Generate consumer confidence in local businesses<br><br>While similar schemes are in operation around the UK in selected malls and high streets, Islington's is 'tailor made' and recently included in the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), Local Authority Trading Standards Service Councillors Handbook as a case study of good practice.<br><br>Islington Business Partnership will promote and oversee the scheme in partnership with trading standards. Additional benefits to businesses will include:<br><br>* 'crib' sheets for shop staff to use as a reminder of consumer law<br>* free, short, tailored, training sessions in consumer law together with updates on legislation that applies to the business<br>* promotional leaflets with rack for display in-shop/store<br>* use of the ITS brand image in advertising<br><br>The Islington Business Partnership exists to help local companies and traders of all types do business in the borough better. This includes helping organisations implement government legislation, which the council has a duty to enforce. <br><br>A members newsletter and email regular bulletins detail everything of interest to the Islington business community including: <br><br>* free training and development opportunities <br>* scam and fraud alerts <br>* guidance on council services <br>* profiling of support agencies<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009