Monday March 15, 2010

Dear colleague,

NABMA – Looking Forward

How quickly the year is passing and we will soon be reaching that stage of the year when we issue our membership renewals. In terms of justifying Nabma membership it is again worthwhile reminding members of the significant achievements made by NABMA over the last twelve months.

• Government recognition of markets for the first time and the designation of Rosie Winterton, CLG Minister, and Jim Fitzpatrick, Defra Minister, as Market Champions

• The establishment of a Retail Markets Working Party with representatives of key government departments

• Publication of Markets 21 – A Policy & Research Review of Retail and Wholesale Markets in the 21st Century

• Maintaining Markets Rights following discussions with Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the impact of the European Service Directive

• Persuading government to take action on the pedlars legislation through research and a consultation process

• Arguing the case for markets in terms of proposals for a review of rateable assessments

• Production of Nabma toolkit with model procedures and policies

• The establishment of Nabma Consultancy Services with nine commissions undertaken in 2009

• Six training courses and two further residential courses provided on different aspects of markets management

• Fifteen “health checks” and free half day consultancies provided

• Four conferences and four forums giving opportunities for networking and catching up on recent developments

• Four hundred and twenty two requests for assistance dealt with by Nabma staff or website queries

NABMA will continue to support its members in 2010 and we will seek to extend the wide range of services currently provided. In the context of our work with the Government to promote markets NABMA’s Management Board has recently decided to make monies available for a publicity campaign about markets and this will be spearheaded by Steve Pickering of Warrington. Steve has already achieved significant success in promoting a large number of markets through his advertising campaigns and NABMA looks forward to working with him in the coming months to provide even greater promotion for markets all over the country.

NABMA continues to give value for money indicated by the fact that we have kept subscription levels the same for the last five years and , at the same time, extended our services. We ask for the continued support of all our members.

Rosie Winterton – Markets Champion

On 15th March Rosie Winterton will be launching a Government promotion “Growing Markets” when she will be giving details of how the Government can help small businesses.

This initiative is directed primarily at market traders and it is intended to provide information about a whole host of Government support initiatives that can help them as the country comes out of recession.

Market managers may be asked for further information about the range of issues highlighted by the Government and we will be circulating details to all NABMA members as soon as the embargo on Rosie’s announcement is lifted.

European Services Directive

Members will see from the recent advice note that the Directive continues to throw up issues that affect markets. The latest issue appears to relate to whether markets are points of sales or service. If markets are regarded as points of sale they fall outside of the Directive but if they are points of service then they are within the scope of the Directive.

There is also now an issue about family rights and the possibility of any succession arrangements to family members being caught by the Directive. NABMA has already written to all members highlighting the details of these issues and NABMA members are asked to look out for a LACORS guide which is due to be issued shortly giving further information about the impact of the Directive.

Local Councils Forum

This popular event is now arranged for 4 June by the kind invitation of Shrewsbury Town Council

The event is open to all local councils that either currently operate retail markets, speciality markets, car boot sales or farmers’ markets or have aspirations of taking over existing markets under delegation, or starting local markets within their communities. Please note that there is no delegate fee for this event.

Principal Councils are invited to pass this invitation on to any parish or town council that they may be aware of that may have an interest.

It must be remembered that all local councils have a power to operate markets. At a time when markets have never had such a higher profile with Government, then this seminar is a chance to update knowledge on markets and learn what an important contribution they can make to local and national policy strategies including tourism, retail, healthy eating, employment and social cohesion.

Markets are now at the heart of Government thinking in terms of vital and vibrant town centres and place management. Make sure you notify the Local Council in your area and invite them to send a representative(s) to this free event to further the knowledge of the important contribution that markets can make to sustainable communities. Our hope is that after experiencing this training exercise in markets that delegates may consider joining NABMA due to the many service benefits that we can offer.

Programme subject headings include:

o Shrewsbury Markets – Accepting the Challenge

o Markets Case Study – Trowbridge

o Markets 21 and Communities and Local Government

o Market Matters and Local Councils

o Markets Visit – Shrewsbury Indoor Market

Make Your Mark

Has your market signed up for Make Your Mark? NABMA members will remember the presentation by Denise Ramsay at Birmingham and the need to link potential new market traders to markets. Last year we had a good response from NABMA and we hope that there will be further support in the current year.

If you would like further details please access the following link www.enterpriseuk.org/markets

“Real Deal” Fake Free Markets

On 26th March in London there will be a half day seminar promoting the “Real Deal” initiative. The seminar is free and will provide information about the benefits of embracing “Real Deal” and also give some good practice guidance from market operators who have already signed up to the “Real Deal” Charter. There will be presentations at the event from NABMA’s Chief Executive and also NABMA members.

If you would like to attend the event please access the link at patricia.lennon@realdealmarkets.co.uk or call 01943 816292.