Markets sign up for the ‘Real Deal’ to prevent illegal fakes
The Real Deal Code of Practice is an initiative aimed at reducing counterfeiting offences in markets. On Tuesday 11 February, Blackburn Market and Darwen Market and trading standards signed the charter to make sure all goods sold are legitimate – giving shoppers the peace of mind and confidence that everything they buy is legal and of good quality.
Whilst the borough’s markets do not have problems with illegal or counterfeit goods, Real Deal is an extra measure to make sure it does not happen.
The Real Deal campaign covers all markets (which include occasional sales, non-chartered markets and car boot sales) which are not uniformly regulated and can therefore be exploited by people trading illegally, particularly in counterfeit and pirated goods.
If this does happen, consumers are ripped off and sold potentially dangerous goods; legitimate traders lose sales and go out of business, damaging the local economy; an atmosphere of criminality and intimidation can become embedded; and there is often a knock-on effect in terms of increased crime in the surrounding area.
Signing up to the charter demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to safe and fair trading at their local market.
Markets commercial manager David Smith said: “People shopping in the borough’s markets can already have a high level of confidence that the goods sold by stallholder are legal and of a high quality. The signing of the Real Deal Code of Practice takes this guarantee to the next level.”
Cllr Arshid Mahmood, the Council’s Executive Member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Customer Service, said: “It is a customer’s right to be able to buy legal and high-quality goods, and our markets already give them this. The Real Deal Code of Practice is a really great way to further guarantee this.
“I am delighted our markets have signed the charter. It shows we have even more reasons to be proud of our fantastic markets.”
Gary Johnston, service manager for consumer protection at the Council, said: “The charter signing is an agreement between the markets and trading standards that we will work together to make sure all trading in the markets is safe and fair. It’s a true partnership to make sure the high standard of our markets is continued.”
Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal, said: “On behalf of all the Real Deal stakeholders, I am delighted to welcome Blackburn with Darwen Council to the Real Deal. By signing the charter today, the council’s trading standards and market teams are demonstrating their joint commitment to safe, fake-free shopping for customers and a level playing field for the market’s traders.”
For more information on the campaign, see www.realdealmarkets.co.uk.