David Amess is pictured with Susie Winter from the Alliance Against IP Theft at the recent Real Deal briefing event at Portcullis House, Westminster.

21 December 2011 In the House of Commons adjournment debate yesterday, David Amess, conservative MP for Southend West, praised the Real Deal campaign, which encourages stronger cooperation between market operators and trading standards officers, in tackling the problem of fake goods sold at markets and car boot fairs. Mr Amess said:

“A recent survey has shown that 16% of the population would quite happily buy fake fragrance. I would like to advise against the purchase of fake perfume; not only is it economically damaging, costing the real industry as much as £319 million a year, but it is dangerous for the user, with the potential for allergic reactions. I congratulate the Real Deal campaign on what it is trying to do.”

Pictured: At the Real Deal reception at Portcullis House, Westminster, Warwickshire Country Council Trading Standards Officer, Ben Downing, was presented with certificates by campaign coordinator, Patricia Lennon, for the county’s latest Real Deal markets, Rugby Open Market and Rugby Farmers Market

Warwickshre Trading Standards Department has whole-heartedly embraced the Real Deal concept and has now signed ten local market and car boot fair venues in the area. These include both council-run markets and privately operated car boot fairs. The first venues to join the scheme were a car boot fair and two markets operated by Nuneaton and Bedworth District Council, under the management of market operator Alan Ottey. These were followed by car boot fairs at Leamington Rugby Club and Stoneleigh Park operated by CJ’s Events Ltd. Long Marston Market operated by G Matthews Markets Ltd and Atherstone Town Market, operated by Hinkley and Bosworth Borough Council, were next in line. Privately operated Bidford Car Boot Fair signed the Real Deal charter at the beginning of December. The most recent charter signings in Warwickshire were by Rugby First Ltd, which operates Rugby Famers Market and Rugby Open Market.

With the rest of the Trading Standards team at Warwickshire County Council, Officer Ben Downing has been instrumental in introducing the Real Deal to all market and car boor operators in the region with great success and he expects to arrange further signings in the new year.
Real Deal Coordinator, Patricia Lennon commented:
“The work carried out by Warwickshire County Council is a great example of how the Real Deal charter can be applied to all types of market venues. Town centre retail markets, farmers markets and car boot fairs all face different challenges in remaining fake-free. The common denominator for success, which is evident here, is a strong working relationship between the market operator and the trading standards team. By embracing the Real Deal ethos in this way, these operators in Warwickshire are all sending a strong ‘keep-out’ message to dodgy dealers and a positive message to the public that they can shop with confidence.”
Warwickshire County Council joins 45 other local authorities across the country that are operating the Real Deal scheme. Many other councils are in the process of introducing the Real Deal charter.

SHOPPERS at Morecambe’s Festival Market can be sure they’re buying the genuine article thanks to a new campaign to stamp out sales of fake goods.

The Real Deal initiative is seeing market traders, Lancashire County Council Trading Standards service and Lancaster City Council unite to crack down on counterfeits which damage legitimate businesses and see dangerous criminals profit from the proceeds. Continue reading →

Pictured at the launch of the Real Deal in Oldham are (left to right): Samantha Fahmy Senior Market Officer; Kevin Welch (Principal Trading Standards Officer for Oldham Trading Standards; and market trader Linda Rogers of Hyde’s Newsagents.

Oldham Council is the latest local authority to sign up to the Real Deal campaign, demonstrating its commitment to cracking down on counterfeiting and improving quality in the Borough’s markets. The council launched the Real Deal scheme on 1 December 2011 with a special display in its market hall providing information for shoppers and market traders. Continue reading →

Pictured: John Whittingdale (second left) discusses the problem of fake goods at markets and car boot fairs with Patricia Lennon Real Deal Campaign Coordinator; Suse Winter Director General of the Alliance Against IP Theft and Tony Sproston, Market Division Manager at Manchester City Council.

14 December 2011 The All-Party Parliamentary Intellectual Property Group yesterday heard from markets and trading standards representatives on how to stamp out counterfeit goods, and protect consumers and legitimate businesses in the process. Continue reading →