South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 07/02/2013

The zones were set up by trading standards, with the support of the police, following requests from residents, who have chosen to say ‘no’ to uninvited doorstep callers.

The new zones can be found at East View, Streamside, Kingston Close and Kingston Drive in Mangotsfield, Chatterton Road in Yate and at Greenacres Park in Coalpit Heath.

Visitors to the No Cold Calling zones will see street signs on lamp posts to warn cold callers, and residents will also be provided with information packs and a door/window sticker to display. The aim is to protect residents as well as empowering them to refuse traders selling at their door, through advice and information.

Residents are encouraged to report breaches of the zones to trading standards and the police as traders who ignore the zones could find themselves being arrested for committing an offence.

John Widdicombe, Chairman of the Greenacres Residents Association in Coalpit Heath, said: “No Cold Calling Zones are great for the local community, help to deter rogue traders and annoying unsolicited callers, plus give local residents the advice and information they need to confidently refuse traders selling at their door."

Cllr Claire Young, Chair of Communities Committee, said: “Cold calling can play a big part in rogue trader activity and this scheme is proving a popular and effective way that the council, the police and the community can work together to combat this type of nuisance.”

South Gloucestershire Council has set up No Cold Calling Zones and Community Doorstep Control Zones covering over 85 streets in the district which includes almost 4,000 properties.

The advice being offered by trading standards is to treat all cold callers with caution and suspicion, and to report such instances to the department through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06.