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Try Before You Buy

There are many makes and types of child car seats and restraints available. Essex County Council offers a Try Before You Buy service to help you find which is the most suitable for your individual requirements.
 
If you are seeking to purchase a new seat the two permanent centres hold a variety of samples of up to date seats and restraints that can be tried in cars to help you find the most appropriate seat for your needs. We do not recommend the purchase or use of second hand child car seats. This is because the seat may have been involved in an incident in the past and although nothing would appear obvious,  the structural integrity could have been compromised resulting in failure in the unfortunate even of a crash. 
 

The Essex County Council centres with operating times and contact numbers are listed below: 

 

Rayleigh
The Haybarn Studio, Lubbards Farm, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh SS6 9QG.
Opening time is Fridays only from 10.30am -3.00pm. 
 

White Colne
"Baby Barn" (formerly "Nippers") Whites Farm, Bures Road, White Colne, Colchester (Retailer)  Tel. 01787 228000
Opening times are Tues - Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm.
(ECC supported retailer for Try Before You Buy - but a charge is made for any checks made on any equipment not originally supplied by this company) 

For any enquiries about the "Try Before You Buy" scheme please contact 01245 437781.