Front row, Mike Walsh and Dolores Riordan from Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards sign the charter. Back row Councillors NinaJeffries, Jackie Hook (Devon County Councillor for Newton Abbot North) and Councillor Rufus Gilbert.

At the launch, Market Manager, Mike Walsh and trader Diane Smith talk about the benefits of the Real Deal Charter. Watch the video here – https://youtu.be/Fdqst1b0KW8

Newton Abbot Market is committed to fake-free trading and has signed the Real Deal National Markets Charter with Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service. By signing the charter, the market and its stallholders are reaffirming their commitment that fake and other illicit goods are not welcome.

The Teignbridge District Council-owned market includes both the indoor and outdoor town centre markets and the weekday food hall.

Currently there are more than 500 markets across the country that have signed the voluntary charter. The charter provides guidance, information and promotional support to trading standards and market operators to ensure that markets are free of counterfeit and other illegal goods

Trading standards has a statutory responsibility to protect consumers from the sale of illegal goods.

Counterfeit and illicit goods are often of inferior quality, and in most cases unsafe as they have not gone through the same rigorous safety checks that legitimate goods go through. Their sale can damage consumer confidence and legitimate businesses, because they infringe existing intellectual property rights.

Mike Walsh, Market Manager said: “It is important for our customers to know that they are purchasing good quality products that are safe and reasonably priced. When the opportunity arose to be part of the Real Deal Campaign we welcomed it, the sale of fake and illicit goods can have an adverse impact on business and reputation and it is important that customers can shop here with confidence.”

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible economy and trading standards said: “Counterfeit goods damage legitimate businesses and are often poorly made. Counterfeit toys for instance are often unsafe and particularly dangerous to small children. By signing the charter Newton Abbott Market is standing up for the consumer and protecting businesses who play by the rules.”

Storeholder Diane Smith from Newton Phone Cases and Repairs said: “The Real Deal status reassures our customers that the quality of our goods is of a high retail standard and they can shop here with confidence.”

Paul Westlake, owner of Westlake Audio has been trading at Newton Abbot Markets for over 15 years and said:  “We fully support the campaign and its principles are very dear to our hearts, our reputation survives on the supply of good quality items, fully guaranteed and warrantied, in an environment where customers can listen, touch and feel the quality of the product.   Customer satisfaction and these values have been one of the reasons for moving the internet part of the business to a high street shop within Newton Abbot.  We are therefore delighted to have a presence in both the high street and the Markets and to be able to operate in an environment which supports our core principles.”

Councillor Nina Jeffries, Portfolio Holder for Business, Economy and Tourism at Teignbridge District Council said: “We are delighted to sign up to the charter and would like to thank trading standards for their ongoing help and advice.  Newton Abbot is the first market they worked with to achieve this quality standard and we are making great strides.  “This is part of our continued commitment to delivering the Teignbridge Council Strategy for our markets and is part of the wider Newton Abbot regeneration plan, to make our places even better to live, work and visit.”

Patricia Lennon, Real Deal National Campaign Manager said: “By signing the Real Deal Charter, the market and the councils are demonstrating their joint commitment to protecting shoppers and legitimate traders from the harm caused by counterfeit goods. It also sends out a strong warning to any would-be traders in fakes and other illicit goods that they are not welcome at this market. We are grateful for the work that both trading standards and the market management have put in to adopting the charter.”