LOVE YOUR LOCAL MARKET 2013- THE BIGGEST MARKET EVENT EVER
Well the sun did not shine at the launch of LYLM 2013, but in every other respect the day was an outstanding success. 662 markets registered to take part, with around 3,500 market events spread over the fortnight of the campaign. This is the biggest nationwide celebration of markets that has taken place and the markets industry should be proud of its achievement.Prior to the launch on the 15th May we had a high profile Parliamentary Reception on the 30th April which gave us the opportunity to bring markets to Westminster. Despite the disappointment of Parliament having risen, prior to the Queen’s Speech, there was still a good attendance of MPs and representatives of all sectors of the markets industry. The Reception was hosted by Ann Coffey MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Markets Group, and addressed by DCLG Minister Mark Prisk, Councillor Geraldine Carter, Nabma President and Steve Pickering of Warrington Market. Nabma is indebted to one of our sponsors, Zapp Canopies, for creating a real markets atmosphere with a market stall which showcased a fantastic cake of Westminster with a market operating within its precincts. Alison Roberts from Warrington, who created the cake, received many plaudits for her work.Mark Prisk was also in attendance at Portobello and Golborne Road Market at the launch of LYLM 2013. Kensington and Chelsea had certainly worked hard to provide a great send off for this year’s campaign and they are hoping to attract 300 new traders during the fortnight of the campaign. Councillor Paget-Browns of Kensington and Chelsea welcomed everyone to the launch event and Mark Prisk congratulated the markets industry on providing opportunities for new entrepreneurs and building on the success of last year’s campaign. Award presentations were made to young traders and it great to see local schools and colleges in attendance and trying market trading for the first time.Nabma is very grateful for government support for LYLM 2013 and it is clear that officials at DCLG have caught the markets “bug” because they have plans to hold a market at Eland House, DCLG Headquarters, on the 23rd May. This promises to be one of the highlights of the fortnight.Last year we had around 400 markets taking part in LYLM 2012, so you can see that we have really worked hard to get more markets involved. According to a recent survey we have undertaken, around 30% of the markets joining have done so because of their engagement through social media.There is clearly a lesson here for the future and Nabma intends to place social media at the heart of its communications in future.During LYLM 2013 there will be lots of new ideas and initiatives introduced, but one of the most exciting projects that Nabma is looking to launch is a UK Markets Footfall Index. Last year we were able to report that LYLM made a significant difference to footfall in towns where LYLM was celebrated. In these towns footfall was up on an average of 10%. With the help of PFM and ROI we will be introducing a UK Markets Footfall Index. Initially it will operate on a trial basis for six months, but Nabma is hoping that it will be come a permanent feature of the markets industry.Nabma will also be evaluating the success of LYLM 2013. It is important we consider whether we have learnt the lessons from last year. It is hoped that the evaluation report will be available for our Annual Conference in September.It is too soon to make an announcement about 2014, but we are hopeful that we will be holding LYLM again. With this in mind Nabma is looking to appoint a LYLM Manager on a permanent basis to ensure continuance of the social media engagement and provide ongoing contact with the markets we have attracted to the current campaign.Nabma is indebted to the support of Ann Coffey MP, who has led the All Party Parliamentary Markets Group with great enthusiasm for a number of years, and to mark the beginning of LYLM 2013 Ann put down an Early Day Motion inviting members to congratulate the markets industry on its achievements and also urging MPs to visit their local markets. Nabma would ask all readers of MTN to urge their MPs to support this EDM.Next month more news from LYLM 2013 and also information about Nabma’s forthcoming Annual Conference.Graham Wilson OBEChief ExecutiveNabma
National Association of British Market AuthoritiesThe Guildhall, Oswestry,Shropshire SY11 1PZ.Tel: 01691 680713
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