A JEWELLERY company in Beaconsfield has been fined for displaying a standards mark without the necessary authorisation following customers' complaints.

Bradley’s Fine Jewellery Limited and the company director, Peter Bradley, were at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on January 10 following an investigation by Buckinghamshire County Council Trading Standards, after two dissatisfied customers complained.

Mr Bradley and the company, in 52, London End, were fined £450 each for displaying the National Association of Goldsmiths Grant of Arms without the official authorisation.

They each pleaded guilty to two charges of unfair commercial practice under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, and were also ordered to pay £515 in costs.

The court heard that by falsely alleging membership of the trade association, the business and company director were unfairly taking advantage of that claim, without having been subject to the trade association’s checks or having paid the cost of membership.

Bill Chapple, deputy leader of Buckinghamshire County Council said: “Consumers are entitled to fair treatment by businesses and should be able to trust the claims they make.”