Roadshows to promote new consumer rights
Birmingham residents are being urged to attend a series of roadshows next month (2 to 6 November 2015) promoting new consumer rights which came into effect with new legislation on 1 October 2015.
As part of National Consumer Week, Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards officers will be visiting community venues across the city to provide guidance on their enhanced rights under the new Consumer Rights Act.
For goods purchased on or after 1 October 2015, the new laws replace eight different pieces of legislation, including the Sales of Goods Act 1979 and Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, so businesses will need to review their practices and procedures to ensure they are fully compliant with the new legislation.
The Consumer Rights Act makes it clear what protection customers have when they buy goods in stores or online which are later found to be faulty. People are now entitled to a full refund if they return faulty goods within 30 days of purchase.
This also applies to faulty digital content: under the Act customers are given a clear right to a repair or replacement – and retailers will be duty bound to offer a refund, rather than a credit note.
Trading Standards officers will be visiting 11 community venues – including a bingo hall, church and a leisure centre – during National Consumer Week, which begins on Monday (2 November).
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 2 November | 10am-12.30pm | Northfield Library, 77 Church Road, Northfield. |
| 2 November | 1pm-3.30pm | Gala Bingo, 973 Kingsbury Road, Erdington. |
| 3 November | 10am-12.30pm | Wyndley Leisure Centre, Clifton Road, Sutton Coldfield. |
| 3 November | 1pm-3.30pm | Quinton Library, Ridgacre Road, Quinton. |
| 4 November | 10am-12.30pm | Shard End Community Centre, 170 Packington Avenue, Shard End. |
| 4 November | 1pm-3.30pm | Community Hub, Bull Ring Indoor Market, Edgbaston Street. |
| 5 November | 10am-12.30pm | Cotteridge Church, Pershore Road South, Cotteridge. |
| 5 November | 1pm-3.30pm | Spring Hill Library, Spring Hill, Ladywood. |
| 6 November | 10am-12pm | All Saints Centre, 2 Vicarage Road, Kings Heath. |
| 6 November | 10am-12.30pm | South Yardley Library, Yardley Road, Yardley. |
| 6 November | 1pm-3.30pm | One Stop Shopping Centre, 2 Walsall Road, Perry Barr |
Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “The ‘Know your new rights’ campaign is vital to ensure people both understand and have the ability to exercise these new rights, so I would encourage people to attend one of these events if they can.
“These roadshows, which are taking place during National Consumer Week, also provide an opportunity for people to find out how businesses have to comply with the Consumer Rights Act and to raise any queries with our Trading Standards team.
“Consumers who know their rights will have the confidence to complain when goods are faulty or services are not delivered as promised – and this will help people avoid being ripped off by rogue businesses.”
ENDS
Media contact: Emma Brady, Press and PR Officer, on 0121 303 6969 or email emma.brady@birmingham.gov.uk
