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.