Newcastle Market

NEWCASTLE MARKET Marketisthe ‘RealDeal’ saycommunityleaders

Newcastle Borough Council is the first to gain anationalaccreditation protecting local shoppers and genuine traders since the pandemic began.

The authority is voluntarily signing up to the Real Deal charter, working with Staffordshire County Council, as part of ongoing worktoenhance the growing Newcastle-under-Lyme Market.

Aspokesman for the council said: “Adopting the charter –run by the National Markets Group for IP Protection (NMG) –isapreventative measure to stop rogue traders from selling counterfeit and illegal items on The Stones meaning that visitors can shop, and stallholders trade, in safety and confidence. “The council is committing to working very closely with the county council’s trading standards team, being aware of who is trading on the market at all times and showing acommitment to fair trading. “As well as having access to guidance, information and promotional support, market regulations have been updated to state that suspected counterfeit items may be seized and formal action may follow. “There are further principles for trading standards and industry/trademark representatives.”

Officials from the Real Deal initiative travelled from South Wales and the north of England for the signing event.

Councillor Stephen Sweeney, Cabinet member for finance, town centres and growth, said: “Markets are a valuable part of our local communities and make avital contribution to the consumer experience. We’re putting agreat deal of time and effort into making our historic market more vibrant and attractive. This is paying off in dividends with greater choice at ourgeneral, farmers’ and antique/collectibles markets which run alongside our popular themed events –such as Castle Artisan Market and the Record Fair –aswell as visiting markets. “As we welcome more and more traders to Newcastle town centre, and with restrictions easing, signing up to this national charter feels like anatural progression. We’re really proud of our market’s reputation and want to reassure residents, visitors and businesses that we’re committed to maintaining asafe and fair environment in which to shop and trade. “Seeing the Real Deal logo is avisible reminder that shoppers can expect to buy only genuine and quality goods from our hardworking traders –not fakes, pirated or potentially unsafe items. We want them to enjoy their purchasesand protect traders from losing sales.”

Staffordshire County Council’s communities leader, councillor Victoria Wilson, said: “No one wants to see counterfeit goods on sale in our communities. It’s bad for our local economy, the goods can be unsafe and legitimate local traders can be driven out of business. “It’s wonderful newsthat Newcastle Outdoor Market has signed up to theReal Deal charter, which will give customers real peace of mind and legitimate businessesthe chance to competeonalevel playing field. “The Real Deal campaign has already beena huge success in Staffordshire. It gives us all the opportunity to work together to combat the sale of illicit, counterfeit goods.”

The NMG is apartnership of law enforcement, government and industry stakeholders, supported by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

Graham Mogg, Chair of the NMG and ACG Intelligence Co-ordinator, said: “Counterfeit products bring ahost of problems: consumers are ripped off; untestedproducts are potentially unsafe; legitimate businesseslose sales; revenue is lost from the economy to the black market; and often the trade is linked to organised crime. Most people involved in market shopping or trading would be horrified to think that they may, unwittingly, be funding organised crime.We are grateful to Newcastle-under-Lyme Market and Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards for working together on the Real Deal programme. They are sending out astrong message that fakes are not welcome at this market.”

Gavin Terry, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Lead Officer for Intellectual Property (IP), added: “The trade in fake goods presents real threats to consumer safetyand to businesses that play by the rules. Initiatives like the Real Deal foster aco-ordinated approach betweentrading standards, marketplaces and IP rights owners. As council resources become increasingly stretched, this type of partnership helps to support the work of trading standards in ensuring that communities benefit from safe, fair trading practices.”