As a builders’ merchant in the Preston area, we are always interested in the successes of members of the construction industry who live and trade locally, as such it was really pleasing to hear that a profoundly deaf decorator from Preston has been won an award from Lancashire County Council’s Safe Trader Scheme.

 

Based in Preston near OBAS HQ, Colin Singh, 45 is a decorator who was recently awarded along with 120 Lancashire traders following on from positive customer feedback.

 

This is the sixth year of the Safe Trader Scheme, which is a scheme operated by Lancashire County Council and the Help District service. Since its inception, the over 1,500 Lancashire traders have signed up for the scheme which is aimed at helping anyone in Lancashire looking for a trades person in the local area, covering a wide breadth of trades from plumbers and electricians to builders, gardeners and double glazing firms

 

Speaking after receiving his award, Colin said: "This is great news. I would like to express my gratitude for recognising my work, it means a lot to me. The Safe Trader scheme is excellent. It gives people confidence when they look for skilled tradesmen to undertake jobs in their homes. The scheme also generates leads. I have had some customers come to me through the website."

 

Colin’s career started on a YTS scheme in a painting and decorating company and no operates his own business employing a deaf apprentice.

 

Colin added: "I use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate with my customers. All my written correspondence is translated from BSL to English by interpreters and translators. This is also how I communicate with my clients when I visit them for quotations and to discuss the jobs.

 

"Being part of the Safe Trader Scheme has helped to give my business a boost. I now have someone to answer calls when people ring to ask about my services, and arrange quotations."

 

Janice Hanson, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for public protection, said: "Colin received this award because customers told us how good he is. Congratulations to him and all of those Lancashire businesses that have made a public pledge to treat customers fairly and honestly.”

 

For more information about how you can benefit from the Safe Traders scheme visit: https://www.traderregister.org.uk/lancashire/index.php