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Checkatrade, an answer to the UK’s rogue trade problem, report a significant increase in the numbers of unique visitors to their website, www.checkatrade.com, and also the number of traders joining on a monthly basis.

The number of unique visitors to the Checkatrade website each week now averages 50,000 per week, a near doubling of the number of people using the website in the last three months. This increased web traffic has proven to Checkatrade founder and CEO Kevin Byrne the wisdom of making a continuing substantial investment in Checkatrade's IT infrastructure.

“Over the next twelve months, we will be introducing many new features to our website. I believe that these features will aid both our members and consumers alike” he said. He went on to say “A direct result of this increased interest in our website has been an increase in membership of Checkatrade. February saw over 100 new trades become members, an increase of 25% over January.”

All of Checkatrade’s members are vetted, continuously monitored and have agreed to a Code of Ethics. Their identities and qualifications have been also checked. All have agreed to have feedback from their customers shown on Checkatrade’s website.

Said Kevin, “We do not have just any trader on board with us. Our rigorous vetting and continuous monitoring process, I believe, sets us apart from other trade referral websites. Our system has developed over the ten years that we have been in business and over 100,000 people have reported to us their satisfaction when they have used one of our tradesmen. Checkatrade gives credibility to traders and peace of mind to consumers.”

Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.

Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include nearly 2,000 genuine trade members and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 4 million directories into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK. In 2007, the company saw a turnover of £1.2 million - an increase of 50% on 2006. After its humble beginnings in a shed, Checkatrade – still based in Selsey - now employs around 40 staff.

In 2007, Checkatrade was nominated for a ‘Sussex Enterprise Business of the Year Award’ and currently sponsors ‘The Rip Off Files’ on Wave 105 FM. They also sponsored the 2007 SpiritFM ‘Local Hero Awards’ and Bright FM's ‘Community Christmas Awards’.