Menu
01/05/2003
Open + Direct win Courts retail credit account business
Open + Direct’s Retail Services division has announced the signing of a major contract with furniture retail multiple Courts.
Open + Direct will provide retail credit throughout Courts’ 100-strong store chain and six Sleep Centres.
Courts decided to switch a portion of its retail credit business to Belfast-based Open + Direct to benefit from increased acceptance levels and a new service from Open + Direct, the Retailer Enhancement Programme.
This programme provides a complete package of added value marketing and sales support initiatives for retailers including sales and credit training and customer profiling.
Courts Director of UK Credit Ron Hiller said: “Open + Direct’s commitment to superior service levels and professional approach is very impressive.
"Our customers are extremely important to us and with Open + Direct we are confident that they will receive excellent customer service”.
Open + Direct Chief Executive Officer Paul Elliott said Courts’ decision to choose Open + Direct was extremely positive news: “We are delighted that Courts, one of the biggest brands in the furniture retail market, has selected Open + Direct to offer retail credit services through its stores.
"We believe that we can offer real benefits to Courts and its customers through our high service levels and efficient real time system and we look forward to working alongside them.”
The Open + Direct Group employs nearly 400 staff in its two main business divisions, consumer lending and insurance broking.
The consumer lending business provides credit to retailer and insurance brokers throughout the UK and Ireland. It delivers credit via its advanced realtime credit management systems that allow credit to be provided in store in a matter of seconds. It is the only credit provider that is linked on a real-time basis with the Irish Credit Bureau.
The insurance broking business provides a range of insurance products to individuals and companies. In GB it operates under the Footman James brand which is a leading specialist broker for classic car insurance and in Northern Ireland it is one of the leading personal lines brokers and under Open + Direct brand in Northern Ireland.
The group was acquired in May 2002 in a management buy-out, backed by Alchemy Partners, from Viridian.
(SP)
Open + Direct will provide retail credit throughout Courts’ 100-strong store chain and six Sleep Centres.
Courts decided to switch a portion of its retail credit business to Belfast-based Open + Direct to benefit from increased acceptance levels and a new service from Open + Direct, the Retailer Enhancement Programme.
This programme provides a complete package of added value marketing and sales support initiatives for retailers including sales and credit training and customer profiling.
Courts Director of UK Credit Ron Hiller said: “Open + Direct’s commitment to superior service levels and professional approach is very impressive.
"Our customers are extremely important to us and with Open + Direct we are confident that they will receive excellent customer service”.
Open + Direct Chief Executive Officer Paul Elliott said Courts’ decision to choose Open + Direct was extremely positive news: “We are delighted that Courts, one of the biggest brands in the furniture retail market, has selected Open + Direct to offer retail credit services through its stores.
"We believe that we can offer real benefits to Courts and its customers through our high service levels and efficient real time system and we look forward to working alongside them.”
The Open + Direct Group employs nearly 400 staff in its two main business divisions, consumer lending and insurance broking.
The consumer lending business provides credit to retailer and insurance brokers throughout the UK and Ireland. It delivers credit via its advanced realtime credit management systems that allow credit to be provided in store in a matter of seconds. It is the only credit provider that is linked on a real-time basis with the Irish Credit Bureau.
The insurance broking business provides a range of insurance products to individuals and companies. In GB it operates under the Footman James brand which is a leading specialist broker for classic car insurance and in Northern Ireland it is one of the leading personal lines brokers and under Open + Direct brand in Northern Ireland.
The group was acquired in May 2002 in a management buy-out, backed by Alchemy Partners, from Viridian.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 December 2011
Credit Unions Get Full Deposit Protection
Credit union customers in NI are to enjoy the same protection as those at ordinary banks. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and HM Treasury (HMT) have today jointly announced that Northern Ireland's credit union customers will have their deposits protected to the value of £85,000.
Credit Unions Get Full Deposit Protection
Credit union customers in NI are to enjoy the same protection as those at ordinary banks. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and HM Treasury (HMT) have today jointly announced that Northern Ireland's credit union customers will have their deposits protected to the value of £85,000.
01 November 2005
Minister urges uptake of Age-Related Payments
Social Development Minister David Hanson has called on people over 65 to take advantage of Age-Related Payments. The Government is making two payments this year to help pensioners with their rates bills or other living expenses.
Minister urges uptake of Age-Related Payments
Social Development Minister David Hanson has called on people over 65 to take advantage of Age-Related Payments. The Government is making two payments this year to help pensioners with their rates bills or other living expenses.
19 November 2004
TSS advise on overseas credit card spending
As a result of a recent High Court ruling that overseas purchases are not covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Trading Standards Service (TSS) is advising consumers on the protection they can currently expect when using a credit card to purchase goods or services.
TSS advise on overseas credit card spending
As a result of a recent High Court ruling that overseas purchases are not covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Trading Standards Service (TSS) is advising consumers on the protection they can currently expect when using a credit card to purchase goods or services.
07 November 2003
Trading Standards advise on Shop Electric & Electric World closure
Over 150 people have contacted the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) concerned at the news that Shop Electric and Electric World stores have closed stores across Northern Ireland. Most queries relate to products bought but not delivered because of the timescale of the news.
Trading Standards advise on Shop Electric & Electric World closure
Over 150 people have contacted the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) concerned at the news that Shop Electric and Electric World stores have closed stores across Northern Ireland. Most queries relate to products bought but not delivered because of the timescale of the news.
15 December 2008
Credit Where Credit's Due, Says TV Star Branagh
Shakespearean actor, Kenneth Branagh, has been complaining about the BBC not giving appropriate time for TV programme credits. Currently starring as a Swedish detective in the much-praised BBC1 drama Wallander, the Belfast-born thespian has criticised the corporation for "zooming through" cast and crew credits.
Credit Where Credit's Due, Says TV Star Branagh
Shakespearean actor, Kenneth Branagh, has been complaining about the BBC not giving appropriate time for TV programme credits. Currently starring as a Swedish detective in the much-praised BBC1 drama Wallander, the Belfast-born thespian has criticised the corporation for "zooming through" cast and crew credits.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
