Architects and engineers visited internet cafes in London and Glasgow in March which were hosting roadshows to demonstrate the benefits of the recently-launched askTRADA website.

Up to 25 people, mainly engineers, attended the London event on March 25, while about 30 visitors, predominantly architects, turned out at Glasgow two days later to hear all about askTRADA, which aims to give quick and easy access to information on timber products, species and specifications. A directory of TRADA member suppliers is on the website as a tool to promote business.

Talks on correctly specifying external timber cladding and using IT toolboxes to perform engineering calculations more quickly were also given. TRADA experts were on hand to lend advice on attendees’ current projects.

&#8220The roadshows went down very well. The people that came had a genuine interest in using timber”

TRADA spokesperson

A TRADA spokesperson said: “The roadshows went down very well. The people that came had a genuine interest in using timber.”

There are no plans to run further roadshows but TRADA is following up on enquiries from its initial mailshot in January which publicised the website to architects.