When you are getting a venue ready to open, changing supplier or reviewing how you buy drinks, a request for business information can feel like one more item on an already busy list. We ask for it for a practical reason: it helps us establish that we are opening a legitimate trade account and gives us accurate details on which to build the trading relationship.
A clear basis for trading
A trading relationship involves more than a venue name. We need to understand which business is applying, where it trades and who the relevant contacts are. At a pub, for example, the person choosing stock may not be the same person who handles invoice queries. Recording those roles accurately helps us work with the right information from the outset.
Accurate business and trading names provide a clear basis for account administration and invoicing. The correct trading address supports accurate delivery records, while confirming the business behind the account supports authorised ordering. Verification also helps reduce the risk of business details being misused. It cannot remove every possibility of an error or misuse, but it gives us a consistent starting point before trading begins.
Why we ask for supporting information
The information on a registration form tells us about the business; supporting documents help substantiate those details. Depending on the applicant, this may include formal evidence of the business name and address, along with relevant company or VAT documentation.
Requirements can vary because a limited company, sole trader and partnership will not necessarily hold the same documents. A business does not need to be VAT registered to trade with us. We also ask for contact details for two trade references on the registration form. Together, the form, relevant supporting documents and references give us the information needed for our review.
Where verification fits when you open an account
Verification takes place after we receive the signed registration form and the supporting documents relevant to your application. We review the information and will ask if something needed for the review is missing. We then let you know when the account is open.
If you are preparing to apply, our guide to opening a Champers trade account explains what to gather and how the wider process works. When you are ready to begin, send us a trade account enquiry and tell us a little about your business.
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