5 June 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Time Is Up for Rogue Traders
As anti rogue trade website continues to grow
SUMMARY
A little over 10 years ago, a Selsey business man had a dream – to isolate rogue traders by giving householders the ability to check out and source vetted tradespersons such as builders, electricians and so on. Today that dream is a thriving reality called Checkatrade. (www.checkatrade.com.)
PRESS RELEASE
A little over 10 years ago, a Selsey business man had a dream – to isolate rogue traders by giving householders the ability to check out and source vetted tradespersons such as builders, electricians and so on. Today that dream is a thriving reality called Checkatrade. (www.checkatrade.com.)
Despite the current recession, Checkatrade continues to grow, with an average of 100 new members joining every month. The number of trades who have signed up to be vetted and continuously monitored now stands at 3000, an increase of over 1200 in twelve months. Turnover at the Selsey based company topped £2.8 million in 2008 and all indications are that 2009 will be another record year in the history of the company which now employs over 40 people.
Founder and CEO Kevin Byrne commented, “It took 9 years to reach 1000 members, just one year to reach 2000 and less than 9 months to get to 3000. People are increasingly aware of the need to check out the traders they employ to do work in their homes before they use them and Checkatrade gives them the vehicle to do this.”
He went on, “Over 23,000 people a day now use the Checkatrade website to find a trader. Home owners are increasingly asking tradespersons if they are members of such a scheme as ours. No one wants to waste money by employing a possible rogue, especially in today’s economic climate.”
Kevin then revealed plans that have been drawn up to build a suite of offices on land recently purchased by Checkatrade, directly opposite the company’s current Selsey headquarters. The building will be home to over 100 staff.
“We have come a long way from the spare bedroom and the shed at the bottom of my garden,” Kevin said “The dream is coming true – rogue traders are finding it very difficult to operate as more and more people “Check a trade” before they use them.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
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 over 6,300 genuine trade members, growing by an average 120 new members every month, and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 5.9 million directories a year into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PR / Marketing, Checkatrade
5 - 6 Sherrington Mews, Ellis Square, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 0FJ
Tel: 01243 601234
Fax: 01243 601246
info@checkatrade.com
