Pictured signing the Real Deal charter at Ashton-under-Lyne outdoor market are (left to right) Sharon Smith, Head of Environmental Services Tameside Council, Nicola Martin, Market Business Development Manager and Councillor Catherine Piddington.

On 8th October, Tameside Council signed the Real Deal charter for its five markets at Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde and Stalybridge. It was a double celebration as Ashton Market has also become the 200th market to join the Real Deal scheme.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services Cllr Catherine Piddington said: “We have always been proactive in promoting fair trading across the borough and are pleased to sign up to the Real Deal Charter to demonstrate our continued commitment to tackling unscrupulous traders, supporting legitimate businesses and protecting consumers.”

Patricia Lennon, Real Deal Campaign Director, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ashton as our 200th Real Deal market. The market and trading standards teams at Tameside Council have a strong relationship and robust procedures in place to maintain all the council’s markets as fake-free zones. It is an excellent example of just what can be achieved.”

The national Real Deal campaign brings together market operators, stallholders, trading standards and industry representatives in a common commitment to tackle illegal and counterfeit goods.

It aims to promote markets as safe environments where shoppers can feel secure and confident in their purchases and businesses can thrive and trade successfully.

As part of the charter, partners will work more closely to prevent the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods and provide support to legitimate traders.