Wednesday January 6, 2010

Dear colleague,

Happy New Year to all Nabma members

As I watch traffic struggling with the impact of the heavy snow fall I am sure that markets in many parts of the country are having difficulties keeping open. January is always a challenging time for markets and the dreadful weather we are experiencing will have added to the challenges of both operators and traders.

The last few days have seen two important announcements from government. On the 29th December CLG announced an overhaul of the planning system with the intention of boosting business growth and providing new safeguards for town centres and local markets. It is a measure of the increasing profile of markets that the launch of this important announcement was made at Doncaster Market. Full details of the planning guidance can be found on the CLG website and I have written separately about the impact on markets and particularly highlighted the support of CLG Minister, Rosie Winterton, who is currently markets champion. The second announcement was made on the 5th January with the announcement of the government’s food strategy. This masterplan, which is intended to cover the next twenty years, does not specifically address the markets industry but it is clear that it has important implications for markets. Requirements for clear and accurate labelling will impact on markets. Opportunities for young people to start careers in the food industry might well be a means of getting new market traders and opportunities for local producers might enhance the attraction of food markets.
There will be opportunities for Nabma to have meaningful engagement with government on both these important issues through our membership of the Working Party on Retail Markets and the Defra Food Group.

2009 was probably Nabma's best year and I am writing to members listing some of our important achievements. On both the national stage and in our service delivery to members I think we had some excellent results. I fully appreciate the annual subscriptions will come under scrutiny in the next few months and Nabma is not exempt from this process. Last year we managed to maintain membership levels at the 2008 level which was, I believe, a reflection of the quality of the services we provide. I hope that all our members will continue in membership in 2010 because if Nabma does not speak for the markets industry then no one else will do so.
 

I hope to see many of you in Birmingham on the 28th January when we hold our one day annual seminar “Building Better Markets”. CLG Minister, Rosie Winterton, will be with us as markets champion. Please ensure we have a good turn out.
 

Graham Wilson,
Chief Executive

European Services Directive

Following the announcement of BIS’ position on the Directive in late December a draft report for consideration by members who currently utilise their market rights is being sent out by the Nabma office. Nabma’s advice is that the Directive does not apply to market rights and this is supported by advice from our barrister. However it will be a matter for each Nabma member to decide whether to adopt this advice and the report explains the options. Nabma believes that the outcome of the discussions with BIS provides a strong basis to preserve market rights and for local authorities to continue to operate them in the same way as before.

Building Better Markets

Places are still available for this seminar. Copies of the application form and the programme can be downloaded from the Nabma website. This will be the first opportunity for Nabma members to hear from CLG Minister, Rosie Winterton , about the government’s agenda for markets. There will also be the results of this year’s Market of the Year Competition plus presentations on a wide range of market issues. You cannot afford to miss one.

Nabma and ATCM

Three years ago Nabma and ATCM signed a protocol agreement to work closer together. More recently we have joined forces through the Retail Markets Alliance to promote the interests of markets. We are now looking at ways in which the two organisations can partner each other for their mutual benefit. While accepting the need to keep Nabma’s identity and focus there are potential benefits to be gained from a closer partnership arrangement. Over the next twelve months we will be holding a series of discussions with ATCM reporting back to the membership on any proposals for the future.

Nabma Consultancy Services

In 2008 NCS established itself as a professional consultancy service. Nine commissions were undertaken in 2009 and these were of different scale and subject matter. Nabma has been delighted with the success of NCS and the feedback from clients has been very encouraging. Any member wanting to consider a consultancy project is invited to contact kyrszasada@googlemail.com and discuss the potential project.