Market traders celebrated the Real Deal renewal
One of the earliest adopters of the Real Deal Charter – Sandbach Market – has reaffirmed its commitment to fake-free trading. The membership renewal celebration was held at the historic market hall in the run-up to the current “Love your Local Market” initiative, which takes place until 30 May.
Sandbach has held a Thursday market in the town centre from before Queen Elizabeth I granted the town its charter in 1579. The weekly market offers a wide variety of quality products at great prices.
Several traders have been attending the market for 30, 40 or even 50 years, some carrying on the traditions of their parents and grandparents. All of the market traders have a passion for Sandbach Market and offer fantastic value for money.
Patricia Lennon, Real Deal Campaign Manager said:
“Back in 2010, Sandbach Market was among the first cohort of markets in the UK to adopt the Real Deal Charter. It is wonderful that more than fifteen years later that commitment is still going strong.”
“All credit to the market team at Sandbach Town Council and their trading standards colleagues at Cheshire East Council. Their diligence and focus on fair trading ensures that consumers are protected from untested, poor quality, potentially unsafe counterfeits and that law-abiding traders can build their businesses on a level playing field. It is fantastic to see the market thriving and vibrant as a result and the Real Deal logo displayed with pride.”
A Sandbach Town Council spokesperson commented:
“Our long-standing membership with Real Deal is a testament to the Council’s commitment to ensuring that our fantastic Market offers quality and fake-free goods to all shoppers. Sandbach Market is the ideal place for gifts, goods and treats – support your local market and shop locally!”
About the Real Deal Campaign for Fake-Free Markets
Established in 2009, the Real Deal campaign is an awareness initiative of the National Markets Group for IP Protection, a multi-agency body focused on reducing the sale of counterfeit products at UK markets and car boot fairs.
Since its launch, around 500 markets across the UK have made a commitment to fake-free trading by introducing the voluntary Real Deal Charter. Displaying the logo helps a market to give reassurance to shoppers and law-abiding traders that it is a safe place to buy and sell. It is also a strong warning message and deterrent to any traders in counterfeits who have no scruples about ripping off consumers, selling unsafe products and damaging local businesses.
The Real Deal project is funded by IP rights owners and their representatives. Furthermore, the campaign is endorsed by all the key stakeholders who have an interest in ensuring fake-free trading, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), Trading Standards Scotland, the National Trading Standards e-Crime Team (NTSeCT), the IPO and by industry groups representing the interests of IP rights owners, market operators (NABMA) and market traders (NMTF). It has been cited as best practice by UK IP Ministers and the EUIPO.