About Us
The Trading Standards Service is responsible to Blackpool Council for the
enforcement of a broad range of legislation aimed at protecting consumers or regulating the way businesses conduct themselves. We also place a strong emphasis on consumer and business advice, as well as education and training activities within the community.
Priority areas for Trading Standards include:
- Protecting older and vulnerable communities from rogue traders – part of our identification of Blackpool in its entirety as a No Cold Calling Zone. This requires a good deal of attention to reduce the potential for serious criminal offences The team have had a major impact in this area, and through timely intervention have prevented and deterred the rogue trader element from coming into Blackpool.
- Blackpool has a robust and consistent test purchasing regime. Our work has dramatically reduced the availability of alcohol through the retail sector to under 18’s. Education of retailers has underpinned this work, as has the popular uptake of our Proof of Age cards. As a result, the majority of local traders are now fully aware of their legal retail obligations enhancing voluntary compliance over the long term.
- As an authority we are acutely aware of the need to protect businesses who comply with the law. Throughout the year we seize large quantities of illegal merchandise and unsafe goods, and deal with offenders severely.
- It is in our interests to ensure consumers are treated fairly and legally. In addition to providing advice and mediation services, we enforce the full remit of consumer protection legislation designed to prevent unlawful trading practices and ultimately remove unscrupulous traders from the marketplace.
- We have a strong tradition of community outreach and engagement. Through our ongoing advice and educational programmes, we have developed mutually beneficial links with local businesses, schools, other agencies and community groups.
- Illegal street trading / Peddlers also have an impact on businesses. Through extensive work dealing with these individuals, the numbers are in decline. We represent a consistent and proactive presence throughout the year. All those found breaching the legislation are dealt with severely, and the goods they are selling are subject to destruction.
- Authorities are constantly striving to improve relationships with local business. Our proactive approach combined with an effective educational programme enables us to maximise standards of fair trading and ensure voluntary compliance.
We are a responsive and proactive service, working to achieve the best outcomes for consumers and businesses within the Blackpool community. For more information about what we do and how we do it, refer to our
Customer Charter and Fair Use Policy. You may also ilke to download our
Enforcement Policy