Local Heroes (company)

Local Heroes is a British online on-demand end-to-end service that connects people with local plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople. It was launched in early 2016 by a multinational utility company, Centrica,[3][4] as an innovation of its subsidiary, British Gas.

Local Heroes
Local Heroes
TypeLimited company (subsidiary of Centrica)
LSE: CNA
FTSE 100 Component
Founded2016
HeadquartersLondon, W1K
United Kingdom
Area served
Great Britain
Key people
Dale Williams
ServicesPlumbing, electrical, drainage, heating, locksmith, tiling, plastering, painting and decorating, handyman[1]
Number of employees
  • 25 employees (2022)[1]
  • Over 7,000 independent tradespeople[2]
ParentCentrica
Websitelocalheroes.com

It operates across Great Britain and Ireland[5] and works with a network of independent tradespeople to fulfil customer jobs. All tradespeople are vetted by British Gas and must have required qualifications relevant to their trade.[6]

History

Launched in February 2016, Local Heroes limited availability to the Croydon area, before expanding to the West Midlands in October, 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 "growing demand for British Gas services".[13]

On October 20, 2023, Local Heroes ceased trading.

Operations

The Local Heroes website requires registered tradespeople to accept jobs on their site via email, smartphone or desktop computer.

Pricing and payments

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

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

Local Heroes operate in a range of trades and are still expanding. Their current offering includes the following trades:[1]

  • Plumbers
  • Heating Engineers
  • Drainage Engineers
  • Electricians
  • Handypeople
  • Painters and Decorators
  • Plasterers
  • Tilers
  • Locksmiths
  • Appliance Engineers

References
  1. "Local Heroes hits milestone of 6,000 tradespeople". Local Heroes.
  2. "Local Heroes reaches 7,000 tradespeople". Local Heroes.
  3. "Centrica to invest in tech start-ups to help trim bills". Financial Times. 18 February 2017.
  4. "Our Brands: Local Heroes". Centrica.
  5. "Centrica expands Local Heroes service to Ireland". Utility Week. Utility Week. 23 July 2018.
  6. "British Gas launches 'Local Heroes' website to help you find tradesmen". Money Saving Expert.
  7. "Local Heroes is coming to Glasgow". Local Heroes.
  8. Ambrose, Jillian (12 June 2017). "Centrica launches rival to former target Homeserve". The Telegraph.
  9. "Capital Markets Day: Offer Innovation June 2017" (PDF). Centrica.
  10. "The CEA 2017: Nominations for Best New Proposition". Market Gravity.
  11. "Local Heroes wins at the Peer Awards". Local Heroes.
  12. "Hero app goes live". Local Heroes.
  13. "Frequently Asked Questions for Customers | Local Heroes". localheroes.com. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  14. "Become a Hero". Local Heroes.
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