Why use an Approved Coal Merchant?
The answer is simple..... all coal merchants who belong to the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme support and follow the Coal Trade Code.

What is the Coal Trade Code? - The Coal Trade Code began in 1962 as a joint financed venture between the National Coal Board and the wholesale and retail parts of the domestic coal trade. The Solid Fuel Association whose members include the major solid fuel producers/manufacturers and the distributive coal trade now finance the scheme.

Why was it created? - The scheme was created so that standards could be set for coal merchants and, in particular, a system could be developed to show their customers that they were keeping to those standards. The Code is administered by a National Panel with an Independent Chairman.

What does this mean to you, the customer? - When a coal merchant joins the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme, he has to give some important undertakings to his customer, and the Scheme sees to it that he keeps these promises:

  • To have his name and address & the Coal Trade Code sign clearly shown on his vehicle.
  • To give delivery tickets showing his name and address for each delivery over two bags (lOOkg or 2cwt).
  • To give a clear description of the coal or smokeless coal, so that you fully understand what you are buying.
  • To give you trustworthy advice about the most appropriate coal or smokeless coal for your appliance, and to offer you help and advice from the Solid Fuel Association.
  • To advise you of any current summer discounts.
  • To investigate promptly and sympathetically any complaint about coal or smokeless coal supplied to you, or about the service provided
 Locate your local merchant:
Click on the map or select your region from the links below:

 Scotland
North West
North East
Wales
West Midlands
East Midlands
South West
South East

What if things go wrong? - They rarely do but, if you do have a problem first contact the Approved Coal Merchant. He has given his assurance that he will deal quickly and sympathetically with any query.

If you still have a problem after speaking to your coal merchant, the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme can help. There are Regional Co-ordinators whose job it is to see that the members follow the Code.

The Regional Co-ordinators are:

  • South Wales & Southern England Regional Co-ordinator - Mr J A Nightingale, PO Box 5642,Nottingham NG5 4PL. Tel/Fax:0115 967 3673.
  • Central & Northern England & North Wales Regional Co-ordinator - c/o Solid Fuel Association, 7 Swanwick Court, Alfreton DE55 7AS.Tel: 0845 601 4406.
  • Scotland Regional Co-ordinator - c/o Solid Fuel Association, 7 Swanwick Court Alfreton DE55 7AS.Tel: 0845 601 4406.

Alternatively, telephone our local call rate Helpline 0845 601 4406

So...before buying your solid fuel, look for the red, blue and white Approved Coal Merchants Scheme logo and be sure of a great deal!
part of the Solid Fuel Association website



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