North East Lincolnshire business signs Council agreement after numerous complaints

A Cleethorpes business has signed an agreement to resolve outstanding issues following a series of complaints.

Future Fascias, owned by Christopher Vine, was the subject of numerous issues reported to the Citizens Advice consumer help line. These included failing to supply goods after payment; failing to supply items of satisfactory quality, failure to provide products that are fit for purpose; failure to provide goods as described; failing to perform a service with reasonable care and skill and failure to perform a service within reasonable time.

Mr. Vine met with officers from North East Lincolnshire Council’s Trading Standards Service as a result who asked him to sign a written undertaking.

This is a legal order that acts as a way of evidence that a person has agreed to do or not to do something again.

In this case, Mr. Vine has committed to complying with relevant consumer protection laws for all new work undertaken and to resolve all outstanding issues with existing customers.

Before the undertaking is carried out, a trader is invited to respond to allegations and the Council attempt to work with them to achieve compliance.

Should the person break the terms of the undertaking, court action can be pursued. Should they be brought before court they may be issued with an ‘order’, taking the form of an injunction against them or the individuals who run the business.

Trading Standards will continue to monitor Mr. Vine and the business with any evidence of a breach of the agreement likely to result in court action.

Commercial Regulatory Manager, Neil Beeken, said, “This action is about protecting consumers and achieving a level playing field for businesses so that all are meeting their legal obligations to customers.

“If any consumer has cause for complaint about this or any other business they may contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 where they will be offered advice and details of the complaint will be passed to Trading Standards.”

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities added: “Results like these are a testament to our Trading Standards team.

“No one across North East Lincolnshire should be mistreated by an individual or business and as a Council we aim to crack down on anyone found to be breaking these standards.”