Derry City and Strabane District Council have joined the Real Deal initiative to promote only legal sellers and goods at its markets to help prevent members of the public receiving fake goods.

Derry City and Strabane District Council operates two markets, the Walled City Market and Strabane Market, which both showcase a variety of local food produce and craft design works. Nicolle Walters, Market Development Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said market traders were supportive of the Real Deal campaign and are committed, alongside Council and its partners, to providing safe and legal goods at the markets.

She added: “Council is committed to eliminating the sale of fake, illegal or unsafe goods at its markets and continues to work with the relevant authorities to do so. As part of the Real Deal scheme, shoppers should be assured that goods and services purchased at any council markets are safe, genuine, reliable and legal.

“The Walled City Market operates in Derry’s Guildhall Square on the first Saturday of each month and the Strabane Market operates in the Courtyard of the Alley Theatre on the last Friday of each month. Both markets have been well received by local traders, local shoppers and visitors to both areas each month.

“We believe this new quality standard will further strengthen our offer to shoppers and provide a reassurance that the goods on sale at both council markets are the ‘real deal’. By setting this standard we also expect to encourage local traders, food producers and craft workers to get more involved with our markets and help set a standard for trading.”
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