Gloucester-based Smart Communications has been bringing card payment services to local businesses for five years, through Smart Card Payments, working with EVO Payments.

Gloucester businessman, Tony Bowden, is founder and director of Smart Communications. The company offers local and national businesses all-in-one, print, communications and payment solutions, with clients including Gloucester Rugby, Jamie Carragher and Wincanton Distribution.

The business started almost 13 years ago and now offers a variety of services from print and design to digital and social media marketing, through to telecommunications.

It was a natural step for Smart Communications to offer competitively priced and reliable card payment solutions, in addition to the support it was already offering to many businesses.

Tony Bowden, founder and director of Smart Communications said: "We already do website design, implement SEO strategies, set up online shops and payment gateways, but there was a real demand from customers for a reliable payments provider. We felt it was an obvious move for us to fill this need with a fair and transparently priced card payment solution."

Tony's team works to find clients the most suitable payment solutions for their business requirements, and offers after-sales support and a local account manager to ensure a long-lasting relationship.

Card terminals suit the specific needs of any business, whether it's a countertop device, ideal for a retail environment, or remote or mobile terminals, perfect for restaurants, taxi drivers and tradespeople.

Smart Card Payments also facilitates over the phone and online payments, with both payment gateway and virtual terminal options.

It's now five years since Smart Card Payments looked for a payments provider it could rely on. The priority was to work with a partner which wouldn't let customers down on price, support or reliability. EVO Payments stood out as the clear winner. Its values of offering a fast and efficient service with competitive pricing aligned with Smart Card Payments' own commitments.

Tony's experience of starting and building a local business meant he had first-hand experience of business owners' needs and pressures.

Understanding the frustrations caused by confusing charges and hidden fees formed the basis of Smart Card Payments' package, which eliminates additional costs other than the standard terminal rental and the transaction charges. This makes bills more transparent, eliminates hidden fees like authorisation fees and monthly service charges, and offers businesses fairer pricing.

Smart Card Payments' aim is always to improve the pricing, service and reliability businesses are currently getting.

Tony said: "If you do have a payment solution in place, why not move across to us and get a better deal? If you don't have a card payment solution, then let us quote you one."

For more information, visit www.smartcardpayments.co.uk.