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Bretts, national supplier of landscaping and building products have recently awarded Checkatrade (www.checkatrade.com) member George Frost of Arun Driveways, the title of Southern Region Installer of the Year for the third year in a row. In addition, a driveway built by George and his team was named “National Driveway Of The Year” beating competition from all over the UK.

Checkatrade founder and CEO Kevin Byrne said “George and his team are true exponents of the Checkatrade ethic: they consistently provide a high quality service and this award recognizes this.” He went on to say “I have been so impressed with Arun Driveway’s workmanship, I recently chose them to build a large block paved driveway at my new home. They designed and built a driveway that is the envy of the neighbourhood. It is much admired by everyone who sees it. Some of my neighbours have gone so far as to ask George to build a driveway for them as well.”

George said “It is very satisfying to have our work recognized in this way. We aim to provide a high quality service, regardless of the size of the job. Every customer is important to us. I look forward to maintaining our high standards and challenging for the title again in 2008.”

Arun Driveways have been members of Checkatrade since 2002 and since then Checkatrade has received more than 115 recommendations from their customers. The quality of their workmanship impressed Bretts to the extent that examples of George’s work can currently be seen in the latest Bretts catalogue.

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’.