Home Bargains and Council partner up to boost environmental health and consumer standards

Article date: 13 October 2025

The legally recognised agreement, signed in March 2025, will provide Home Bargains with consistent, expert regulatory advice from St Helens Borough Council, giving businesses confidence, reducing duplication, and ensuring that regulation is applied effectively and fairly.

The scheme also supports local economic growth by building strong relationships between businesses and regulators while promoting higher levels of compliance.

To date the council's work with the business has developed an alternative low risk questionnaire for other councils to use thereby reducing the duplication of requests for information and reducing the costs to the business in responding to individual requests.

Support and guidance have been given to develop business specific food safety training and work is ongoing in developing assured advice on pest control management policy and procedures.

Trading Standards have provided support and guidance relating to food standards and product safety standards enquiries received by the business from other councils.

To celebrate the partnership, a special event was held this week at St Helens Town Hall, with speeches from senior representatives of St Helens Borough Council and Home Bargains.

Councillor Tracy Dickinson, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, said: "This partnership demonstrates the commitment of our environmental health services to working closely with businesses to help them thrive while ensuring regulations are applied fairly. We are proud to be partnering with Home Bargains in this way and look forward to building on this positive relationship."

Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: "Trading Standards plays a vital role in supporting businesses by offering clear, practical advice that helps them understand and meet their legal responsibilities. Through partnerships like this, we can work proactively with companies such as Home Bargains to achieve compliance, reduce risk, and build consumer confidence in the products and services they provide."

Thomas Jones, Senior Health and Safety Manager for TJ Morris said: "We're proud to partner with St Helens Borough Council through a new Primary Authority agreement. This collaboration will support us on our journey as we continue to strive for excellence in health, safety and consumer standards across our network. The partnership reflects our commitment to uphold high standards, foster transparency, and ensure our customers always receive the best possible experience."