Following resolutions by Wokingham and West Berkshire Councils, 8th June saw the emergence of a new trading standards service covering the area from Lambourn in the West to Wokingham in the east. Serving a population of over 300,000 and a business community of over 7000, the Service has been designed to create the capacity needed to deliver the modern trading standards agenda through traditional support for consumers and businesses and an intelligence lead audit function. For further information go to the West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards website.
Consumer rights
To find out more about your consumer rights go to the Consumer Direct website.
Doorstep sellers and cold callers
Doorstep sellers and cold callers are common place these days and will try to sell you anything from driveways, to alarm systems, paving, mobility products to timeshare, etc. Our advice is to be cautious when buying anything from doorstep sellers or cold callers on the telephone. The most effective way to prevent being ripped off by doorstep sellers is to not deal with them at all and just say no. Often if the offer seems too good to be true it probably is. Read our leaflet about Doorstep Cowboys below. If you are a householder or business and you would like further advice on this subject, please contact us on 0118 9746400 for a 'Safe and Sound' booklet or to talk to an officer. Advice can also be found at the Buy with Confidence website.
Request an anti doorstep seller sticker
If you would like a sticker to place on your door asking doorstep sellers not to call, with the message 'We do not buy or sell at this door', please contact us on 0118 974 6400.
Businesses
For advice and guidance on trading laws please go to the Trading Standards Central website or West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards website. New regulations came into force on 1 October 2008 concerning doorstep selling. The Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008 are aimed at traders who enter into a contract with a consumer at their home or workplace. They also cover contracts made at another individual’s home or on an excursion organised by the trader away from their business premises. For further information go to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills website. For advice and business guidance on under age sales and for a retailers information pack go to the No ID, No Sale website.
Registration and Licensing
For information on storing and selling explosives, fireworks and poisons please go to the West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards website.
Animal Health, Welfare and Feed Hygiene
For advice and guidance on animal health, welfare and feed issues go to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website or West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards website. For more specific enquiries please use the links below:
Contact us
For further information and guidance, please contact the Trading Standards duty officer on 0118 974 6400 or email:
trading.standards@wokingham.gov.uk.
