Thursday February 3, 2011

Dear colleague,

Market of the Year

What a fantastic competition we had this year. We had a record number of entries and the quality of the entries was the best ever. NABMA’s thanks must go to KPR Midlink for their continued sponsorship of the event. We really do value their contribution. Thanks also to Nick Owen, TV Broadcaster and Journalist, who made the awards and spoke enthusiastically about markets. We had some great winners and we will be seeking to use the good practice that was displayed in the winning entries as part of our NABMA Conference at Harrogate in September. The award winning markets are:

Best Street/Outdoor Market – Doncaster
Best Indoor Market – Accrington
Best Speciality Market – Aberdeen International Street Market
Best Small Speciality Market – Pershore Plum Festival Farmers’ Market
Best Private Market – Durham & Old Spitalfields Market, London
Best Small Market – Bristol Book Market
Best Wholesale Market – Bradford
Best Local Council/Community Market – Ludlow
Britain’s Favourite Market – Leicester
Best Market Attraction – Manchester Christmas Market
 

Goverment Support for Markets

It was great to announce at “Streets Alive” continued Government support for markets. We have worked hard to achieve this objective over the last few weeks and I am grateful to NABMA members who supported us with letters to local MP’s and representations to Andrew Stunell MP, Minister responsible for Markets. We recognise the next few years are going to be very challenging but with Government support we will be able to respond to the challenge more effectively.

"Streets Alive"

A record number of delegates were present for this year’s One-Day Conference and were able to see the collaboration of joint working between NABMA and ATCM. Hopefully next year’s One-Day Conference will also be staged on a joint basis with further partnership support from NMTF. We really want to make the January One-Day Conference a markets industry event which can bring all parts of the markets industry together.

Pedlars and Street Trading

I have had a number of requests for an update on the Government’s response to the consultation on pedlars and street trading. We were promised that the results would be out before Christmas but nothing emerged. Enquiries of BIS indicated that the publication had been delayed and no revised date has been given. As soon as any further information is received then members will be informed.