Trading standards

Southend's Trading Standards offers a wide range of services to both consumers and businesses in the Borough. Our overall aim is to ensure a fair and safe trading environment for both buyer and seller alike and to promote health, safety and welfare in the workplace. We also:

• make regular routine visits to trading premises to check on compliance with current law and check weighing and measuring equipment for accuracy.
• investigate complaints concerning trading practices which may offend against the law monitor the marketplace for dangerous products and illegal trading methods.
• when necessary, pursue breaches of criminal legislation through the Courts.
• licence and visit traders/individuals to ensure compliance with current licensing laws, including the Licensing Act 2003 (alcohol etc), Taxis and Private Hire Cars as well as a range of other trade licences.
• use newspapers, radio and television to make you aware of dangerous goods, current scams and other issues.
• attend the Airshow and other special events to protect consumers and resident shop keepers from rogue traders.
• will try, where possible, to provide speakers on trading standards subjects to schools, clubs, traders and other organisations.
• have a laboratory accredited by UKAS which provides a testing service for weights and weighing machines.

Do You Have A Consumer Problem?

Then contact Consumer Direct, contact details can be found on their website, please see our Useful Websites .... don't forget - advice is free!

For more detailed advice and information visit the Southend Trading Standards Website (again see our Useful Websites - on the right).