From aerial fitters to waste disposal specialists – an impressive A to Z of local traders have joined forces to help a leading consumer champion mark a major milestone.

Peterborough-based Safe Local Trades – which matches customers to a tried and tested vetted and DBS checked trader at the touch of a button - is celebrating its 15th anniversary, with more tradespeople in the PE area than any other national network.

Established in 2008, Safe Local Trades is well-known and respected in and around the PE area (including Stamford and Huntingdon) for championing the consumer – stepping up the fight against fraudsters, scammers and rogue traders.

October 1 saw the business, set up by SLT director Eileen Le Voi, officially celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Consumer confidence and working tirelessly to force out rogue and cowboy traders across the Peterborough area, Safe Local Trades and its director Eileen Le Voi have received a number of awards for the community-focussed service over the years.

Safe Local Trades also works closely with many organisations including Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Neighbourhood Watch and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP).

Eileen said: “The success of Safe Local Trades is due in the main to the fantastic members we have on board, all reliable, professional and recommended. With well over 17,500 genuine member reviews on the website, offering customers peace of mind.”

And many of those members – including some who are themselves celebrating their own 15th anniversary with Safe Local Trades – recently met up to mark the occasion.

Eileen added: “As well as our work with the trades, much effort is placed on safeguarding the more vulnerable people in our communities, with working with the relevant agencies to offer advice on avoiding rogue traders, reporting doorstep crime and how to get involved with your local neighbourhood watch scheme.”

She added: “It is hard to believe that SLT is 15 years old, and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved and look forward to going from strength to strength.”

Among those members to reap the benefits is Tony Bogusz of Style Home Improvements who was among the first traders to sign up to the scheme.

Tony said: “Safe Local Trades has been a vital building block for our company over the last 15 years.

“We have found it helps reassure customers that we are a reputable, trustworthy company, and with the help of reviews and photos, customers can decide if we are the company for them before contacting us. We proudly display our SLT logo with pride.”

For more details visit: www.safelocaltrades.com.