L-R Phil Edge (Markets Manager) Ebony Clarkson (Clunans food stall) Mike O’Connor (Chairman of Traders Association) Geoff Henson (Trader) Alan Blundell (Head of Regulatory Services, Wigan Council)

Considered one of the traditional cornerstones of British life, markets act as a hub for local communities and a thriving shop floor for legitimate traders. But sadly markets can also become susceptible to infiltration by unscrupulous crooks whose trade in illicit and counterfeit goods are threatening local economies, harming legitimate businesses and ripping off shoppers.

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Pictured are Steve Clover (left), Head of Commercial and Consumer Protection, signing on behalf of Trading Standards and Pete White (right) Enforcement & Events Manager at Wiltshire Council, representing the market operator.

Wiltshire Council is helping to make sure people get the ‘real deal’ when they shop at local markets. The council signed up to the Real Deal at Devizes Market on Thursday 24 November 2011, during National Consumer Week.

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This year, the theme of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) National Consumer Week is Good Sports Don’t Fake It. Between 21 and 25 November, Trading Standards Departments across the country will be highlighting the problem of fake sporting clothes and memorabilia sold at markets and car boot fairs as well as on websites, by street traders and other outlets. Continue reading →

Pictured at the launch of the Real Deal in Northumberland are councillors Alan Thompson and Anita Romer (holding framed charter) Keith Gray, David Hunt, Andy Rutherford (head of highways and neighbourhood services), Jimmy Power (business and consumer protection manager), Gerry Dutton and Pat Walsh.

Markets in Northumberland are the ‘real deal’ – and that’s official!

Northumberland County Council has signed up to the national ‘Real Deal’ campaign – demonstrating its commitment to ensuring safe, fair and legal markets across the county and protecting shoppers from fake goods. Continue reading →

The launch of the Real Deal in St Helens with (left to right) Kevin Gavin, Markets Manager; Darrell Wilson, Chief Trading Standards Officer; Steve Littler, Estates Manager; Councillor Alison Bacon, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection; Stephen Anders, Senior Trading Standards Officer and David McFarlane, Markets Assistant.

St Helens Council has signed up to the Real Deal charter, confirming its commitment to safe and fair market trading. Continue reading →

SHOPPERS at Morecambe market can be sure they’re buying the genuine article thanks to a new campaign to stamp out sales of fake goods.

The Real Deal initiative will see market traders, Lancashire County Council Trading Standards service, and Morecambe Market unite to crack down on counterfeits which damage honest businesses and see criminals profit from the proceeds. Continue reading →

MARKET organisers and businesses in North East Lincolnshire have signed up to the Real Deal campaign, helping to protect shoppers against fake goods.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s trading standard team has been backing the campaign, demonstrating its commitment making markets safe and fair. Continue reading →

Visitors will be getting the Real Deal at this year’s Royal Welsh Show after Powys County Council and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society made a commitment to keep them free of fake goods by signing the Real Deal national markets’ charter. The agreement is the first of its kind between a council and a market operator in Wales. Continue reading →

Pictured receiving the Award from Lavinia Carey BVA Director General (far left) and Charlie McAuley BVA Chairman (far right) are Liz Bales Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness and Susie Winter Director General of the Alliance Against IP Theft. Comedian Simon Evans (second left) hosted the Awards event.

Recognition of the work of the Real Deal was marked in May when it received the prestigious Industry Initiative of the Year Award from the British Video Association (BVA). Continue reading →

Celebrating the launch of the scheme at Hinckley are (left) Mr. Byron Rhodes, County Councillor and Designated Lead Member of Regulatory Services and (right) Gary Shepherd, Hinckley Street Market Manager.

Markets in Hinckley, Melton Mowbray and Loughborough have all joined the Real Deal scheme, which is being promoted as part of Leicestershire County Council’s ‘Fake Free Zone’ campaign.

It is an excellent example of the flexibility of the Real Deal scheme and how it can be incorporated into other council-run fair trading initiatives.