A Ludgershall business has said it is “delighted” after being approved to join a select group of council-approved businesses.

Wessex Flooring, based at Castledown Business Park, is now a member of Wiltshire Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ Scheme.

This demonstrates that the business has proved its commitment to trading fairly, with a series of checks to ensure it meets the bar required to become a member.

Alan Matthews, from Wessex Flooring, told the Advertiser: “We are absolutely delighted because it’s quite a tough application which took us over two months to sort out and organise, so we are very pleased indeed.”

Owner Pete Snelgrove added that he was “particularly pleased” as the company is the first in its field to be join the scheme across Wiltshire and north Hampshire.

‘Buy With Confidence’ schemes operate across many local authorities up and down the country, and are designed to take action against rogue traders. At present, 66 local authorities are a part of the scheme, out of the 151 eligible to take part.

To join the scheme, companies must apply or be recommended to join the scheme, following which a series of checks are undertaken after they have been in business for at least six months.

These include an audit of complaints made against the business in the past, as well as good references from past customers, interviews with Trading Standards officers and criminal record checks where necessary.

Those behind the scheme say that membership is “not given lightly,” and that the members are continuously monitored to ensure that they live up to the principles of the scheme.

If they do not, Trading Standards will take action and remove them from the scheme.

More information on the scheme, and a search for businesses, can be found here: https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/