Calderdale Council launches West Yorkshire into the Real Deal

On Friday 12 March 2010, Calderdale Council became the first in West Yorkshire to sign the Real Deal national markets' charter for its markets at Halifax, Elland, Brighouse, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden. The charter is gained by councils and markets that demonstrate a commitment to keeping their market as fake-free zones by barring anyone found to be trading in counterfeit and other illegal products.

6 April 2010

Working closely with officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, the market has introduced stringent vetting procedures to ensure that counterfeit goods are not sold. In recognition of this, the markets in Calderdale will be able to display the Real Deal logo, confirming their position as beacons of good practice and role-models for other markets across the country.

Graham Hebblethwaite, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, said “We are delighted to be working with Calderdale Council on this initiative which demonstrates a joint commitment to ensuring consumers and local businesses are protected from unscrupulous trader selling counterfeit goods”.

Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal campaign, said, “Well-run local markets are great, They are often at the heart of a community and provide real benefits to shoppers and local business people. Unfortunately, unscrupulous traders can be attracted to markets and car boot sales as an easy opportunity to trade illegally, particularly in counterfeit and pirated goods. It is a major problem across the UK and is often linked to organised criminal groups for whom selling counterfeit goods is a relatively risk-free way to make money and to launder cash from other criminal activity.

“By signing-up to the Real Deal charter, Calderdale Council is sending a clear 'keep-out' message to counterfeit con-men, helping to ensure that these markets are safe, fair venues for people to shop and to trade. The hard work of the markets team and West Yorkshire Trading Standards deserves to be applauded.”

Markets within Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Kirklees districts, which are served by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, are now following Calderdale's lead and are progressing towards Real Deal charter status.

Anyone who wishes to report information on the sale of counterfeit goods should contact West Yorkshire Trading Standards on 0113 253 0241 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.