Heather Thurlaway, Operations Manager Markets, and David Ellerington, Trading Standards Team Manager, celebrate the Charter signing with a large Real Deal cake, specially baked for the occasion by The French Oven and cupcakes by Pet Lamb Patisserie ˆ both are stalls in the Grainger Market.

The risks posed to consumers by counterfeit goods are always more prevalent at Christmas when people step out in search of a bargain. But consumers can be left seriously out of pocket when it turns out that the gift they have bought is either fake, does not work, or in some cases a danger to their health. But at Newcastle’s Grainger Market that risk has been eliminated after it was officially declared a fake goods free zone.

The traders and authorities have just signed a special Charter that confirms that there are no dodgy items for sale in the Market following a sweep by Newcastle Trading Standards earlier this year.

The Real Deal National Campaign is an attempt by big business to tackle the growing trade in counterfeit goods which costs legitimate businesses billions of pounds every year.

The aims of the Real Deal National Charter are to:

Increase consumer confidence
Send a strong warning to dodgy dealers they will not be tolerated
Show support to legitimate traders
And strengthen the relationship between markets and Trading Standards
On Thursday, November 28, trading standards and traders signed the Charter in the events space part of the Grainger Market. Signs and posters will also go up to show bargain hunters they can shop with confidence.

Newcastle Trading Standards Manager, David Ellerington, said: “Counterfeit goods can be a real problem, especially at Christmas when we all tend to spend a bit more on gifts for our family and friends.

“While we do our best to find and prosecute dodgy dealers, we can’t be everywhere at once, so it’s reassuring to the public to know that they can go to a market like the Grainger and spend their hard-earned money with peace of mind.”

Chair of Safe Newcastle, Cllr Linda Hobson, said: “I am delighted that the Grainger Market has been given a clean bill of health. It’s been operating from this site since 1835 and it’s nice to know that it is still offering high quality items and produce to shoppers.”

John Phillips, Chairman of the Grainger Market Traders Association, said: “I am pleased that the council’s Markets and Trading Standards Teams have worked together with traders to confirm that our market is free from fake and unsafe goods.

“Shoppers can enjoy the welcoming hustle and bustle of a thriving market, buying everything they need for Christmas and beyond. We offer fantastic quality at great prices and the friendly customer service really is second to none.”

Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal campaign, said: “On behalf of all the stakeholders in the Real Deal, I am delighted that Newcastle City Council has embraced the Real Deal charter and its principle of fake-free trading.

“By displaying the Real Deal logo, The Grainger Market is giving an assurance to shoppers that this is a safe, fair market venue, at which people can find genuine bargains and quality products. At the same time, it sends a clear ‘keep-out’ message to any would-be traders in counterfeit goods.

“The sale of counterfeit products, including illegal copies of DVDs, music, fake clothing and other branded goods and illicit tobacco, not only damages the business of trademark and copyright owners, but also hurts small, local businesses and can lead to business closures and job losses.

“This market has been serving its local community for 128 years and its shoppers and traders deserve to be protected. The Real Deal Charter will help to do just that.”

Currently there are 110 traders in the Grainger Market selling everything from cheese to chops, hardware to haberdashery and fish to fruit.

Every week 140,000 shoppers pass through its doors.

The Real Deal scheme brings together local authorities, market operators, trading standards, other enforcement agencies, trademark and copyright owners – all with a common objective to keep traders in fake and other illicit goods out of UK markets and car boot fairs.

The overall aim of the campaign is to ensure that markets remain safe and fair venues in which to shop and to trade, resulting in increased consumer confidence in the purchases they make.