Not so Neighbourly Britain

GLASGOW, Scotland - Leading insurance intermediary Kwik Fit Insurance is calling on British households to spend more time getting to know their neighbours this European Neighbours Day.

A survey commissioned by the broker reveals that relationships between neighbours in the UK’s towns and villages seem to have hit rock bottom, with 4 out 5 people claiming to not know their neighbour and many facing regular problems with noise disturbance from next door.

Interestingly, the stereotypical ‘nosey neighbour’ famously portrayed by TV’s favourite soap characters Mo Slater in Eastenders and Norris Cole in Coronation Street appears to be commonplace within Britain’s communities, with the survey revealing that over one third of British householders actually consider themselves to be a nosey neighbour.

While the survey of over 2000 householders paints a picture of the erosion of community spirit on our streets, there are also encouraging signs that Brits would like to change the situation, and work closer with their fellow residents to improve their neighbourhood.

A staggering 81 percent of those questioned said they would like to be more active in their communities and sign up to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

Brendan Devine, Group Managing Director of Kwik Fit Financial Services, said: “The results of our survey have thrown up some interesting statistics regarding life in today’s British suburbs. We believe that closer communities can lead to safer communities and we hope that on European Neighbours Day, more Brits will spend some time making friends with their neighbours.”

Roy Rudham, Chair of the UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust, said: “Good neighbours can make a real difference in helping to build safer communities for everyone.

“The results of Kwik Fit Insurance’s survey are very encouraging with over 80% of people saying that they would like to join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. If more people were active in supporting their local Neighbourhood Watch, we would create safer environments for our families.”

Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Kwik-Fit Insurance.

Note To Editors

Kwik Fit Insurance Services was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading motor insurance distributors, as well as a major presence in home and other insurance markets.

The company’s award-winning call centre in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, now employs almost 1000 people, and was named top insurer (17th overall) in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2009.

Since its launch in 1995, Kwik Fit Insurance Services has grown and developed into one of Scotland’s most dynamic contact centres.

Kwik Fit Insurance Services is part of the Kwik Fit Group owned by private equity firm PAI Partners.

The philosophy of the business is to provide the best possible service to customers.

Kwik Fit Insurance Services was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading motor insurance distributors, as well as a major presence in home insurance (www.kwik-fitinsurance.com/home/home-insurance.html )and car insurance (www.kwik-fitinsurance.com/ ) markets.

The company’s award-winning call centre in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, now employs almost 1000 people, and was named top insurer (17th overall) in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2009.

For further information, please contact Michelle Holton, Jane Robertson or Bryan Garvie at The BIG Partnership on +44(0)141-333-9585

Source: Kwik-Fit Insurance

For further information, please contact Michelle Holton, Jane Robertson or Bryan Garvie at The BIG Partnership on +44(0)141-333-9585 or jane.robertson at bigpartnership.co.uk / michelle.holton at bigpartnership.co.uk