Tradespeople get together to form skilled co-operative

The North Leeds One-Stop Tradesmen’s Shop comprises local family businesses which it promises are qualified, experienced and properly insured contractors who will charge fair rates, use local labour and decent materials, and be reliable.

Co-ordinator Charley Downey said: “In addition to the ever-present problem of dishonest tradespeople, we’ve noticed more and more in the current financial climate that people who are out of work are grabbing a few tools from their shed and knocking on doors offering their services.

“That’s all very well, but most aren’t insured, the domestic tools aren’t up to the job or are downright dangerous, and there’s no real recourse for customers if something goes wrong, to say nothing of the fact that the homeowner may be liable if the person is injured on their property, and they could even be fined if they employ a tradesperson without a waste carrier’s licence or public liability insurance.”

She added: “The tradesmen’s shop is a co-operative of local craftsmen and women with years of experience, and getting a contractor through the scheme assures people of an honest, decent and safe job, as well as guaranteeing that the customer is supporting local businesses.”

Co-founder Pete Rozkowiec, of Heritage Gas and Plumbing in Moortown, said: “A few of us were talking and we’re often getting asked to refer a different tradesman for a job, so we thought that it would be helpful if people had one place to go, whatever job it is they need doing.

“It’s especially handy for people like letting agents – a single point of call for everything from graffiti removal to gardening as well as your electrical and gas safety inspections.” For information, visit www.northleedstrades.co.uk