UK's best indoor market is the Real Deal

Warrington Signs 'Real Deal' Markets Charter

20 November 2009

Not only has it recently been named best indoor market in the UK, but now Warrington Market has achieved another quality standard by becoming one of the first markets in the country to sign-up to the Real Deal national markets' charter.

In Warrington, the Council's market team and its trading standards service have a long history of working closely together to make sure that the market is a safe, fair venue for people to shop and to trade. Stringent vetting procedures have been introduced to ensure that counterfeit goods are not sold. In recognition of this, the market now displays the Real Deal logo, confirming its position as a beacon of good practice and a role-model for other markets across the country. Only two other Council's in the country have so far achieved this standard.

In other parts of the country, the situation is not as positive as that in Warrington: some markets have been infiltrated by organised criminal gangs selling counterfeit clothing, tobacco, DVDs and other goods. This brings with it a host of problems, including consumers being ripped off, legitimate traders and market workers being intimidated, and the reputation of the markets and law-abiding traders becoming tarnished. To tackle the problem, the Real Deal initiative was formed as a partnership initiative between the local authorities coordinating body (LACORS), the Trading Standards Institute, the market operators association (NABMA) and industry groups representing copyright and trademark owners.

Commenting on Warrington's adoption of the Real Deal charter, Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the campaign said:

"Warrington Borough Council's approach shows how coordination between the trading standards department and the market team can beat the counterfeit con-men. I'm particularly pleased that the Real Deal charter has been taken up by the award-winning team at Warrington market who quite rightly believe that being fake-free is an essential element of their role as the UK's best indoor market."

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added, "FACT works across the UK identifying illegal traders and organised criminal gangs who are producing and selling counterfeit DVDs. I am delighted that Warrington Borough Council has adopted the Real Deal charter which should mean that its markets are safer and better places for people to shop."

Anyone who wishes to report information on the sale of counterfeit goods should contact Warrington Trading Standards or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pictured are Warrington Head of Trading Standards, Peter Astley with Paul Blaney, Assistant Market Services Manager signing the Real Deal national markets at Warrington Market