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MP visits local business to find out how locals are coping in tough times

Braintree MP, Mr Brooks Newmark, has paid a visit to Cash Converters in Braintree, on a fact finding mission to talk to local residents about how they are coping in the current economic climate.

Mr Newmark was welcomed by the store manager Emily Temperton and business development manager, John Colbert, before being shown around the busy store on Little Square.

During the visit to Cash Converters, Mr Newmark was told about the services offered in store before meeting some of the shop’s customers.

After watching the store in operation, Mr Newmark asked the branch staff how the business had been affected by the recession. He also discussed at some length the best way to protect vulnerable consumers – particularly those with the lowest incomes – who might have found it hard to obtain credit through mainstream outlets, and were now searching for credit alternatives.

He was told that, as a specialist in second-hand goods retailing, pawn broking and the provision of a range of short term financial services, Cash Converters operates a responsible lending policy which includes encouraging customers to shop around.

During the visit, John Colbert also told Mr Newmark that, as a company, Cash Converters welcomed the regulation of the industry and would encourage proper controls to protect customers, but said the sort of specialist services offered by businesses such as Cash Converters had a very important role to play:

“There is a demand for services which meet short term cash flow problems and Cash Converters is helping to meet that demand. But we work to the highest ethical standards, so we only lend to customers an amount they can afford to repay, whichever service they use. We will always discuss it with the customer and ensure they are not stretched beyond their means.”

Mr Newmark MP said: "I was delighted to visit Cash Converters. In these tough economic times, Cash Converters are providing the extra cash needed for individuals and families who are having short term cashflow problems. I was very impressed with the management and staff and the valuable service Cash Converters provides our local community."

Cash Converters is the UK’s number one retailer of pre-owned goods and the largest of its kind in the world. Since being launched in Australia in 1984 the company has grown enormously with more than 500 stores in over 21 countries worldwide.

Cheque Centre backs search for legends to join Scottish Football Hall of Fame

Former Celtic manager and player David Hay launched the search for legends to be inducted in 2009 into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame on 8 June.

This year’s inductees will be announced at a star-studded dinner in Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel in association with Cheque Centre.

The inductees are those truly great players, managers and officials who have reached the pinnacle of their profession and have made a significant contribution to Scottish football’s reputation through their skill, spirit and determination.

A panel of experts from the world of football and the media will consider nominees and elect the successful candidates.

The new members will be announced at a gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday, November 15.

The full list of Hall of Fame members is:

2004 Inductees - Willie Woodburn, Jim Baxter, Sir Alex Ferguson, Graeme Souness, John Greig, Jock Stein, Bill Shankly, Billy McNeill, Jimmy McGrory, Danny McGrain, Sir Matt Busby, Bobby Murdoch, Jimmy Johnstone, Billy Bremner, Dave Mackay, Denis Law, Gordon Smith, Willie Miller, Hughie Gallacher, Kenny Dalglish.

2005 Inductees - Alan Morton, Alex McLeish, Bobby Lennox, Alex James, Charles Campbell, George Young, Jim McLean, Joe Jordan, John White, Lawrie Reilly, Willie Waddell.

2006 Inductees - Willie Henderson, Davie Cooper, Tommy Gemmell, Richard Gough, Willie Ormond, John Robertson, Tommy Walker, Brian Laudrup, Billy Steel, Sandy Jardine, Henrik Larsson.

2007 Inductees - Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan, Allan Hansen, Ally McCoist, Rose Reilly, Eddie Turnbull, Willie Bauld, Eric Caldow and Jimmy Cowan.

2008 Inductees – John Thomson, Bill Struth, Billy Liddell, Jim Leighton, Derek Johnstone, Bobby Evans, Archie Gemmill and Ian St John.

The Hall of Fame is a permanent feature in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park. Football fans can participate by logging on to www.sfmhalloffame.com and nominating the personality of their choice. Or fans can post nominations to: Scottish Football Hall of Fame, Hampden Park, Glasgow G42 9BA. Closing date for nominations is midday on Monday 31 August 2009.

Online Payday Loans rated “good value” in customer survey

MEM commissioned Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) to conduct an independent survey of more than 1000 of its customers. The survey found that nine out of ten rated the service as a convenient way to obtain cash quickly to cover unexpected bills or expenses.

MEM was established in 2003 to provide small, short-term loans – typically £200, simply and quickly to online customers.

Key findings of the ACG survey were:

• 87% of customers would recommend MEM payday loans to a friend
• 95% of existing customers agree with the statement “MEM does what they promise to do”
• Customer satisfaction is 96%
• 9 out of 10 existing customers think MEM payday loans are a convenient way to obtain cash quickly
• 95% of customers find customer service at MEM to be helpful and easy to understand

The general consensus among MEM customers surveyed was that because the service was online, there was no fuss in applying for a loan, which could be completed in a customer’s lunch break.

Bindu Varkey, Compliance & Corporate Communications Manager said: “MEM is committed to lending responsibly in a clear and easy to understand manner. We take customers’ feedback very seriously and are delighted with the outcome of this independent survey.”

Megan Bramlette, Managing Associate at Auriemma Consulting Group said, "These results indicate that consumer satisfaction with payday loans, and MEM in particular, exceeds levels typically seen at financial services companies. Clearly, there is a tremendous appetite for this type of loan among British consumers, and MEM appears well-positioned to retain its status as the UK's leading provider of payday loans.”

Data from this study was generated from 1,123 web surveys given to existing MEM customers between November 2008 and March 2009.