Local Heroes (company)
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| Local Heroes | |
| Company type | Limited company (subsidiary of Centrica) |
| LSE: CNA FTSE 100 Component | |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | London, W1K United Kingdom |
Area served | Great Britain |
Key people | Dale Williams |
| Services | Plumbing, electrical, drainage, heating, locksmith, tiling, plastering, painting and decorating, handyman[1] |
Number of employees | |
| Parent | Centrica |
| Website | localheroes |
Local Heroes was a British online service that connects people with local plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople. It was launched in early 2016 by Centrica[3][4] through its subsidiary British Gas.
The service operated across Great Britain and Ireland,[5] working with a network of vetted independent tradespeople to fulfill customer jobs,[6] before closing down in late 2023.
History[edit]
Launched in February 2016, Local Heroes limited availability to the Croydon area, before expanding to the West Midlands in October of the same year, and then Glasgow in April 2017.[7] UK-wide coverage was completed in June 2017.[8][9]
Local Heroes was nominated for the Best New Proposition Award at the CEA 2017[10] and won the Customer Engagement Award at the Peer Awards 2018.[11]
Local Heroes launched its app for traders, Toolbox, in August 2018.[12]
In September 2023, British Gas announced that the Local Heroes platform would be closing in October 2023, to focus on the "growing demand for British Gas services".[13]
On 20 October 2023, Local Heroes ceased trading.
Operations[edit]
The Local Heroes website requires registered tradespeople to accept jobs on their site via email, smartphone or desktop computer.
Pricing and payments[edit]
When a user completes the form requesting a tradesperson, Local Heroes uses market research and historical data to provide an estimated price range for the requested job. If accepted, the Local Hero will then provide a final quote directly to the user which they can choose whether to accept or not.
As all jobs are guaranteed by British Gas, the user must pay directly to Local Heroes and will void the guarantee if cash is paid. Once a job is complete, the tradesperson creates a bill for the customer who then pay via PayPal or credit card.
Requirements for Heroes[edit]
In order for a tradesperson to become a Local Hero they must have £2 million Public Liability Insurance and provide banking details and a company logo or profile picture.
In addition, certain trades require specific qualifications such as registration with a government approved Competent Persons scheme e.g. NICEIC.[14]
Trades[edit]
Local Heroes operated in a range of trades. Before ceasing operations, the following trades were offered:[1]
- Plumbers
- Heating Engineers
- Drainage Engineers
- Electricians
- Handy People
- Painters and Decorators
- Plasterers
- Tilers
- Locksmiths
- Appliance Engineers
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Local Heroes hits milestone of 6,000 tradespeople". Local Heroes.
- ^ "Local Heroes reaches 7,000 tradespeople". Local Heroes.
- ^ "Centrica to invest in tech start-ups to help trim bills". Financial Times. 18 February 2017.
- ^ "Our Brands: Local Heroes". Centrica.
- ^ "Centrica expands Local Heroes service to Ireland". Utility Week. Utility Week. 23 July 2018.
- ^ "British Gas launches 'Local Heroes' website to help you find tradesmen". Money Saving Expert.
- ^ "Local Heroes is coming to Glasgow". Local Heroes.
- ^ Ambrose, Jillian (12 June 2017). "Centrica launches rival to former target Homeserve". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Capital Markets Day: Offer Innovation June 2017" (PDF). Centrica.
- ^ "The CEA 2017: Nominations for Best New Proposition". Market Gravity.
- ^ "Local Heroes wins at the Peer Awards". Local Heroes.
- ^ "Hero app goes live". Local Heroes.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions for Customers | Local Heroes". localheroes.com. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Become a Hero". Local Heroes.