Erewash Borough Council become the first local authority in the East Midlands to sign the national ‘Real Deal’ National Markets’ Charter

11 May 2010

Erewash Borough Council became the first local authority in the East Midlands to sign the national ‘Real Deal’ National Markets’ Charter for its historic markets in Ilkeston and Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council has worked closely with Derbyshire County Council Trading Standards officers to introduce stringent vetting procedures to ensure that counterfeit goods are not sold at the local markets. In recognition of this, both Ilkeston and Long Eaton markets now display the Real Deal logo, confirming their position as beacons of good practice and role-models for other markets across the country

Councillor Geoffrey Smith, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, said:

“We are committed to driving forward the successful markets in both our major towns and are extremely pleased to obtain this prestigious award, which is not gained lightly. “It ensures that customers are given a fair deal, allowing them to shop with confidence and with the knowledge that they will not be sold counterfeit goods. “I would like to praise our market staff and the traders who have enthusiastically committed themselves to working with Trading Standards Officers – they all work hard at being the ‘eyes and ears’ on the front line of the fight to stop criminals selling counterfeit and illegal goods on our markets.”

Local market trader Janet Hassall, representing the National Market Trader Federation branch committees at both Ilkeston and Long Eaton, has also welcomed the news:

"We are pleased to endorse the Real Deal campaign against counterfeit and illegal goods. “On behalf of our colleagues in Erewash, we would like to state that the vast majority of market traders operate their businesses with integrity and resent their image being tarnished by the ‘dodgy dealers’. We would like to thank Erewash Borough Council for taking the initiative in joining this scheme and in taking a stand that clearly demonstrates that counterfeit dealers will not be tolerated in this borough. “Residents and visitors to Erewash can be assured that market traders here offer specialist products and product knowledge, personal service and competitive prices and we will ensure that our place in the heart of the community will not be compromised by illegal, substandard or counterfeit goods, therefore shoppers can buy with confidence."

Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal campaign, adds:

“By signing-up to the Real Deal charter, Ilkeston and Long Eaton markets are 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. “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.”

Following Erewash's lead, other markets in Derbyshire have now also gained the Real Deal charter, including Chesterfield Market (run by Chesterfield Borough Council), Shirebrook Market and Clowne Market (run by Bolsover District Council) and Bolsover Market (run by Old Bolsover Town Council). It means that market shoppers in Derbyshire can buy with confidence from these venues knowing that the market operators and trading standards are working together to keep out the counterfeit con-men.