If a business offers credit or lends money to consumers, or allows customers time to pay for goods and services, it must be licensed with the Consumer Credit Licensing Bureau of the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
The following types of business must be licensed with the Office of Fair Trading.
- Consumer credit
- Consumer hire
- Credit brokerage
- Debit adjusting and debt counselling
- Debt collecting
- Credit reference agencies
- Canvassing credit off trade premises
The Office of Fair Trading holds a public record of all licensed traders and of all those who have applied for a licence. They can provide details to the public about its licensed businesses, such as the type of activities they cover, their authorised trading names and main business address. They can be contacted by telephoning 020 7211 8608.
For more information visit the Office of Fair Trading website
The Trading Standards service enforce the provisions of Consumer Credit Act 1974 and check that advertisements and agreements comply with the regulations.
To obtain an application form for a Consumer Credit Licence contact us as follows.
Trading Standards Service
Textile Hall
Manchester Road
Bury
BL9 0DG
Phone: 0161 253 5566
Fax: 0161 253 5547
E-mail: tradingstandards@bury.gov.uk
On-line: make a comment or request advice
If you wish to vary or amend any details to your licence
You will need to complete a separate form. A fee will be charged. The completed forms plus the required fee should be sent to The Office of Fair Trading, Craven House, 40 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London, W5 2BS. For more information visit the Office of Fair Trading website
