Celebrating Lurgan Market’s Real Deal status are: (left to right) – Traders Alan Clarke, Waleti Singh and Felix Higgins with Kirsty Pinkerton Market Co-Ordinator CBC, Alderman Hatch Chairman Environmental Services CBC, Mayor of Craigavon Borough Council Cllr Baxter, Executive Board Member NMTF Paddy Lynn, Lorraine Crawford Director of Environmental Services CBC, Cllr O’Connor Vice Chairman Environmental Services CBC and Trader Peter McStravick.

Craigavon Borough Council has become the second local authority in Northern Ireland to sign up a Market to the Real Deal Charter.

Craigavon Borough Council has become the second local authority in Northern Ireland to sign up a Market to the Real Deal Charter.
The Real Deal National Charter keeps traders in counterfeit goods out of markets. Council has signed up Lurgan Market to the charter to demonstrate its commitment to safe and fair trading and Council will do their best to protect both the consumer and legitimate trader. It is actively committed to the sale of quality products at the Market, keeping sellers of fake goods away.
Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Mark Baxter comments “Lurgan Market is a valuable part of our local community and hopefully with the introduction of the Real Deal Campaign this in itself will go a long way to making the Market a vital contribution to the consumer shopping experience in Lurgan. This is a cross-sector, partnership initiative; bringing together Trading Standards, Council, Traders, PSNI, Industry Groups, and copyright and trademark owners, all of whom are united with a common commitment to tackling the selling of counterfeit and other illegal products.”
Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal campaign, said:”On behalf of all the stakeholders in the Real Deal, I am delighted that Craigavon Council, Lurgan Market and the trading standards service have joined forces to sign the Real Deal charter and promote its principle of fake-free trading. By displaying the Real Deal logo, the market is giving an assurance to shoppers that this is a safe, fair market venue, at which people can find genuine bargains and quality products. At the same time, it sends a clear signal to traders in counterfeit goods that they are not welcome here.”
“The sale of counterfeit products, including illegal copies of DVDs, music, fake clothing and other branded goods and illicit tobacco, not only damages the business of trademark and copyright owners, but also hurts small, local businesses and can lead to business closures and job losses. The traders at this market offer a great service to the local community, they, and their customers, deserve to be protected. The Real Deal Charter will help to do just that. We encourage other councils and markets in Northern Ireland to introduce the Real Deal charter and demonstrate their commitment to fake-free shopping and fair trading.”

Paddy Lynn Executive Board Member NMTF adds: “The NMTF welcomed the launch of the Real Deal Charter at Lurgan Market because it will provide an assurance to all Market Customers in Lurgan that the Council and Traders are committed to safe & fair trading. Lurgan Market is the second local authority in Northern Ireland to introduce the Real Deal Charter highlighting good practice and the sale of quality products, protecting citizens and customer.”

For further information, please contact Kirsty Pinkerton on 028 3831 2525 or email Kirsty.pinkerton@craigavon.gov.uk