Here’s to getting paid wherever you do business

Every business wants to win every sale. Yet countless traders are in effect holding up a huge ‘closed’ sign by not taking credit and debit card payments. It’s understandable. Taking card payments has been expensive and inflexible for years. If your sales vary, you don’t want to commit to a long term contract and hefty fees. Yet if you don’t take cards, you risk your customers going to a rival that does. PayPal Here is an affordable way to take cards. The new PayPal Here app and card reader lets you accept credit card, debit card and PayPal payments wherever you do business. There are no monthly fees, just a oneoff charge of £99 for the card reader and then a small fee when you take a card or PayPal payment. You connect the card reader to your iPhone, iPad or Android phone via Bluetooth to accept payments, making PayPal Here ideal for traders who visit customers or trade at markets and exhibitions. The PayPal Here card reader includes the highest standards of Chip and PIN technology. And it carries PayPal’s name, providing reassurance to your customers, who are likely to be very familiar with PayPal. To find out more, please visitwww.paypal.co.uk/here
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Nabma, the Voice of Local Authority Markets

Markets have been around for hundreds of years and it is right to acknowledge that the markets that existed in the middle ages are very different to many of the markets that exist today. Today we have some wonderful examples of modern market halls, markets situated in shopping malls and iconic market buildings. Against this background markets need to be considered in a different context. We are all aware of the classic definition of a market as being a concourse of buyers and sellers and this still applies to many hundreds of markets operating today, but many markets now operate with complex landlord and tenant arrangements with tenants enjoying legal protection. This raises the question of whether such arrangements actually fall with the classic definition of a market.

Some years ago we saw the Valuation Office embark upon a series of revaluations of market halls because they were satisfied that the shops/units in many market halls gave rise to a separate valuation status. A significant part of the argument used by the Valuation Office turned on the letting arrangements used by market operators and the degree of security given to traders. Thankfully the Valuation Office seems to have completed its list of target markets, but the aftermath of these revaluations are still being felt by some Nabma members.

On a different issue there has always been a general understanding that when a market hall is in receipt of a planning approval there is no need for a separate planning approval to be obtained when a shop/unit changes one use to another. However it seems the attitude of some planners on this issue is now changing and markets are coming under pressure to ensure that separate applications are made where, for example, the change is from general retail to hot food. The argument advanced by planners ancillary to the main retail use it will not give rise to a requirement for a separate planning approval. What is ancillary? Normally up to a ten per cent change will be viewed as ancillary. This means that market managers need to be aware of the impact of any detailed changes to the markets offer and be aware of the potential planning  consequences of such changes. It is important that you are conversant with the planning authority’s planning policies and objectives. Of course there are substantial benefits for both market operators and traders in providing security of tenure and ensuring that shops/units are covered by  proper letting arrangements, but just a word of caution, that market which you have known and referred to as such for many years might not be seen as a market within the classic definition that I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

While we are dealing with how markets are viewed by external agencies can I end by dealing with the position of markets/street traders and rating liability. This issue has arisen, at a meeting of the Association of London Markets, and I promised to follow up with the Valuation Office. It seems that the Valuation Office takes the view that markets, both indoor and outdoor, fall to be rateably assessed because of the powers that are used to establish markets but street trading is not normally viewed as being rateable assessed. There are a few street trading in pitches in London rateably assessed but they are very much an exception to the current approach. The Valuation Office uses the case of Newham LB V Hampsher (Valuation Officer) May 1970 as a basis for taking this view. Here Newham issued street trading licences in respect of Rathbone Street Market and the Lands Tribunal held that the market was not in beneficial occupation. Whatever views one might have on the issues addressed in this case there are no plans to change this approach, which must be a great relief to the many London Boroughs that operate street markets via street trading licences. There are some of the most famous markets in the country operated in London. They promote themselves as markets not as street trading activities. However they are not regarded as markets for rating purposes. Perhaps another reason for again looking at the classic definition of a market?

When is a market not a market? Perhaps thats something we should debate at the Nabma Conference. Are you coming? 22nd-24th September at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay. You will be very welcome.

Graham Wilson OBE 
Chief Executive,
Nabma

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Adam Corbally talks Markets June 2013

Well I hope that you all ‘loved’ the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign and got involved in your own way.I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of spending the launch of Love Your Local Market in Oswestry, arriving on the Tuesday I spent the evening speaking at a start up Britain event and the next morning I visited the outdoor and Indoor Market, who were this years very worthy winner of Best Indoor Market Award. A thriving market, it was great to meet traders old and new, even having the opportunity to meet some traders who were starting up in the very near future. The afternoon was spent speaking to three local colleges back to back, which was a fantastic and informative experience for everyone involved, which I personally took a lot away from, namely that there are lots of people out there with a lot of fantastic ideas to get trading, they just need the inspiration to get started. So if you know someone out there who would be great at trading, then give them the encouragement they need to do just that.

I’m sure the Love Your Local Market campaign has enticed a lot of new traders to markets nationwide and with that a lot of new customers, although let’s not lose sight of the fact that we need traders to keep coming back week after week which of course helps customers do the same.

I have heard of some great innovative events set up, such as student markets in different parts of the country, although as I have said many times, any new market traders should be integrated to the existing markets on existing market days and to my disappointment my advice has been ignored in many cases. People are hailing one off one day markets held on a different day to existing days as a success, when in fact the result is quite the opposite and if anything does more harm than good to existing 52 weeks a year traders and their morale.

Markets and their success was built on regular traders and more importantly, regular customers, a lot of people seem to have lost sight of a very simple business model and are more interested in hailing one off markets as the answer to markets problems, which I agree does create awareness, but will not help markets survive in the long term. I hope no one reads this article as a negative and understands that I am 100% positive about markets in the U.K. and their future, although I do feel that people who are already doing great by organising events could become brilliant by involving existing traders, which would not only lead to a better atmosphere on markets but would also unite a host of traders, young and old, who I’m sure you would all agree could learn a lot from one another, especially with the technology know how younger people bring to the table and the work ethics of the older generation.

I am always keen to hear of any readers views and events you guys have held, so please do get in touch via my website.

www.Adamcorbally.co.uk

Twitter @TheAdamCorbally

For those of you that are Apprentice fans out there, you will notice that this year’s season is in full swing and you can check out my take on things on the Daily Mirror online.

Brixton Market - Community at the Heart of the Market

The origins of Brixton Market can be traced back to 1870, where the original market was located on Atlantic Road next to Brixton Rail Station. In the 1880s the market expanded up and along Electric Avenue, so named as it was the first market street to be lit by electricity. In the 1920’s and 30’s Brixton established itself as a leading shopping destination; the main road was widened and the covered markets such as Reliance Arcade, Brixton Village and Market Row were built.

Following World War II, during the 1940s and 50’s Brixton saw an influx of immigration from the West Indies which greatly influenced commodities offered in the market place.

Today the Market is spread over three locations, Electric Avenue, Popes Road & Brixton Station Road. Brixton Market remains a melting pot of cultures, which form a diverse customer base

Although these are testing economic times, the market’s traders continue to offer a varied range of commodities that offer real value to customers.

There have been a number of initiatives undertaken by the Council and Stakeholders to ensure that the markets throughout the borough maintain their popularity, create fertile business environments to contribute to the growth of local economies and deliver much loved amenities to local communities.

Brixton Market offers a diverse range of all types of goods and produce and the vibrant market has a great atmosphere with a real sense of community.

Trevor Virtue Lambeth’s Market Development Officer said “We seek to deliver on the Council’s cooperative ambitions by ensuring that communities are at the heart of our market strategy. It is essential that that the community has a buy-in with regard to their local market as this ensures sustainability and the main focus is on the market reflecting a developing dynamic rather than simply a regulated entity. There are challenges to be met with regard to meeting the requirements of a licensing framework while delivering on stakeholders expectations; however, these are challenges that we continue to meet.”

In Brixton Market, the local Traders’ Federation (Brixton Market Trader’s Federation), has formed itself into a Community Interest Company and now manage Brixton Station Road bringing a variety of themed events to the market. This initiative has given both the Traders and the Authority the opportunity to develop a progressive and collaborative relationship that will deliver long term benefits to the market and local community.

Stuart Horwood, Chairman of the Brixton Market Traders’ Federation said, “Brixton Market is a meeting place for members of Brixton’s established and diverse communities. The market is also potentially a valuable resource for community initiatives, charities, campaigns and organisations; one of the core engagement activities undertaken by BMTF is to facilitate such groups and organisations to rent stalls in the market and become one of our key ‘customers’.

“It is the aim of Brixton Market Traders’ Federation CIC to establish partnerships with local community groups and statutory bodies, to ensure that Brixton Station Roads development is sustainable and contributes to the local economy and social cohesion.”

The Authority has also embarked on a programme to deliver cooperative markets across the borough. It is envisaged that this will deliver the provision of a local amenity for residents, a fertile business environment for experienced and budding traders as well as promote local areas as a destination.

Mr Jamie Akinola, Lambeth’s Enforcement Manager said “Two such projects have been undertaken in Herne Hill and Streatham. Herne Hill Market is managed by the Herne Hill Forum, a community group that are working with the council to deliver a pleasant and sustainable environment. In Streatham, there has been the establishment of a new Food and Artisans Market, following consultation with the local community; depending on the outcome of an imminent Business Improvement District ballot, the Authority would also seek to partner this body in relation to Street Trading in the area”.

“The Authority believes that as we move into 2013, that our focus should be on our customers and their experiences within Lambeth’s Street Markets; therefore, the views of our customers and neighbouring retailers are paramount to the delivery of pleasant and relevant markets that can contribute to local economies. This will indeed deliver on the Authority’s commitment to deliver Quality, Value and Choice.”

Brixton Market stands six days a week from Monday to Saturdays between 8.00am to 6.00pm and Wednesday is a half-day, closing around 3.00pm. Casuals are welcome and once the necessary documentation has been completed, they can be trading within three to four days.

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Government Backs Love Your Local Market

The Markets industry was taken by surprise at the Nabma January Seminar when Communities Minister The Rt Hon Don Foster MP outlined the Government’s support for the 2013 Love your Local Market scheme with significant financial support .

The Minister began by acknowledging that the last few years have been a tricky time for markets and his department have been keen to help the sector meet the challenge. The Minister acknowledged that over the last two years help had been provided but in the absence of finance. The Minister paid tribute to Nabma for its endeavours in Love your Local Market and presented the Nabma President, Council Mrs. Geraldine Carter with a cheque for £25,000 with the aim of helping Nabma help turn the passing interest of a wannabe trader into a fulfilling career.

The Nabma President, Councillor Mrs. Geraldine Carter admitted that Nabma was stunned by the presentation.
“We are overwhelmed by this generous support from Government. This is a huge endorsement for the work that we have been carrying out and clearly shows that we are making an impact with our commitment and investment. Love your Local Market 2013 will now be even bigger and better”.

Nabma Chief Executive, Graham  Wilson OBE, told MTN, " Love Your Local Market provided a great boost to the markets last year with research showing that markets that took part experienced a 10% increase in footfall. With the government's financial backing and support from our headline sponsor Radfords, we aim to make it bigger and better this year. Every market in the country should be getting involved"

Also at the conference, Nabma delegates were overwhelmed with a presentation by Joe and Tom Barrett, the creators of the Stockport Teenage Market.

The Teenage Market was described as a creative space for young people to connect and collaborate in, giving a platform to young creative entrepreneurs who become market traders for the day as they sell their products to customers.  It also gives young performers, musicians, singer songwriters, dancers etc the chance to show their skills to an audience.  The first even was held in April 2012.

The young people have developed a very positive relationship with Stockport Market and also Stockport Council.
Over 70 applicants were received for the first market and 20 local musicians wanted a platform to showcase their own talent.

The event has attracted huge media interest and importantly thousands of people visiting the Teenage Market on the day.

Adam Corbally talks Markets.

Whilst at the Airport on a recent trip to Amsterdam, I couldn’t help but get lost in the maze of perfume, pen shops and Pharmacists, not to mention being approached with the golden opportunity of winning a supercar, which is only fit for driving on a grand prix circuit as it is so low to the floor, not to mention the cost of insurance, fuel and, of course, you can’t exactly throw a sack of spuds into the back of Lamboghini!

Whilst trying to find my way out of the shops and make my way to my terminal, it set me to thinking how all of these over priced perfume shops were making it pay?

It seemed that the airport I was in, namely Manchester, had, like every other I have visited in many parts of the world, all had one thing in common, they were BUSY. I mean, these places have every single inch of retail space utilised.

I asked myself the question, what is to be learnt from this experience? Is it to open 10 over priced perfume and pen stalls on markets nationwide? No, certainly not, there is one reason that Airport retail space is, in my opinion, the only retail space in the world that is recession proof, lets face it when was the last time you saw a “closing down sale” or an empty shop in an airport? That reason is FOOTFALL, plain and simple. The retailers are pretty much guaranteed passengers or, more importantly, customers on a daily basis with money to spend and just as important, time on their hands.

OK, so how can we learn from our Airports success and create footfall for our markets and, more importantly, get them to hang around and spend money!?

There are lots of answers out there, although a great one is host an Event! I’m sure by now every market has someone running their social media marketing and advertising campaign, which is a fantastic free way to reach a direct target market and let them know what you have planned. In the early stages of planning an event you can even ask for ideas from your friends/followers on what THEY would like to see on their local market?

Once you have pulled together a few positive like minded people from your market to organise and host an event, it is surprising how this sort of thing can gain momentum and support very quickly. When your market managers see you making the effort they will be more willing to provide support and I dare say you might even be able to squeeze a few quid out of them too.

As I have said before, it is the longevity and viability of markets which is key, so please do make sure that any event compliments the existing traders and more importantly falls on a usual trading day, as the idea is the extra footfall of customers on the day see the market in all its glory and make a return trip the week after, attracts some new regulars and maybe even inspires some new traders!

Ideas for events can be anything to attract footfall, hold a crowd and you needn’t worry about a budget too much as there are lots of people you could attract to perform and use the event as free publicity for themselves and a chance to showcase their product/service. A couple of ideas are - get in touch with your local dance troop and ask them to do 3 performances on the day for nothing in return, to be included in all of the publicity before the event and the chance to sell themselves on the day. Ask your local bouncy castle/face painter/ kids face painter along on the same deal and why not even ask your local beauty college shop to attend and all have fun having taster sessions of treatments? Im sure you may even be able to entice the fire brigade down, use the Fire Brigade as a massive attraction for the kids and in return they get to promote fire safety and prevention. You could involve Schools, Youth Clubs, Martial arts Do Jos, Army cadets and Scouts on the day.

After all the list of opportunities for an event is endless, especially if you have empty stalls. There are so many ways to FILL them!

I can pretty much guarantee that your local newspaper/ radio station would love to promote the event for free if you make sure the most enthusiastic member of your team gets in touch with them with the agenda and as we know, a story gets more attention than an advert and costs nothing!  

I rarely use or like clichés, but it is true to say “If you build it they will come” so start building and please do get in touch via my website as I am keen to hear news of everyone’s ideas and events.

Adamcorbally.co.uk

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NABMA NEWS April 2013

NABMA The Voice of Local Authority Markets.

The Love Your Local Market campaign is now in full swing and we have already had five excellent Roadshows as we build momentum towards the fortnight of the campaign between the 15th -29th May.
Our first call was at Borough Market where a packed audience were able to see the redeveloped market at first hand. It is clear that the redevelopment has enhanced the visual appearance of the market and also Borough's reputation as one of the leading markets in the country. There was tremendous enthusiasm for getting involved and over half the audience were new to LYLM, which is a theme that has continued throughout the Roadshows.
Next stop was Darlington where we heard about the success of the Peoples Market which was a new Sunday Market launched on the back of LYLM 2012. The presentation illustrated lots of new ideas for using social media to engage with your audience and get new traders. The Peoples Market continues to thrive and achieves significant increases in town centre footfall when it is held in the town.
Part of the attraction of LYLM is looking at ideas to launch new markets and Nabma has produced a publication “Getting Started” which has lots of tips to help in setting up new markets. You can download a copy from the Nabma website at www.nabma.com

A central feature of the Roadshows is taking the Nabma offer to more people and providing information about what is happening in the wider markets world. This was a key feature of the Roadshow at Wisbech where the Town Council has recently taken over the running of the market and is already implementing a number of initiatives to engage more effectively with traders and stakeholders.  The BIS consultation on pedlars featured significantly on the agenda and a number of people spoke about the problems they faced in their own areas. This was a consistent theme throughout the Roadshows with no support at all for what BIS is proposing. Hopefully they will listen to the representations.
The two most recent Roadshows were held in Barnsley and Leeds and it is was great to hear of the success stories in both towns and the enthusiasm and skills of the market officers.
Barnsley is one of the biggest markets in the country and the occupancy levels remain consistently high. It is clear that Barnsley has a very proactive approach to stall and shop lettings and this policy has paid dividends. Barnsley is intending to launch a market app during LYLM 2013 and we look forward to featuring this as one of the highlights of this year's campaign.
Leeds was the venue for the next Roadshow and a full house in the conference facility at the Kirkgate Market heard about the Council's proposals for a £12m redevelopment scheme of the market. Leeds is clearly witnessing exciting times and the market redevelopment is a key element of the overall programme. Leeds also told us about the opening of the Marks and Spencer Shop in the Kirkgate Market which brings the company back to their original roots. Perhaps the opening in Leeds might be a first for a new approach from the major High Street retailer. We will watch with interest.
A key part of Nabma's approach to LYLM has been to provide resources to help markets celebrate LYLM in the most effective way. We have produced a media pack, best practice guide and merchandising material. All these resources can be downloaded from the Nabma website at www.namba.com

LYLM 2013 will be launched at Portobello and Golborne Road Market on the 15th May at 10.30 and  prior to that date Nabma will be hosting a Parliamentary Reception on the 29th April to create further interest among parliamentarians and the wider markets industry.
So far over 200 markets have signed up for LYLM 2013. What is encouraging is that over half of these markets  did not take part last year. This year our targets are 500 markets and 3000 new traders. We need your help to achieve these targets. If you have not already signed up please do so now. If you want any information please contact me. Everything you need is on the Nabma website at www.nabma.com

Graham Wilson OBEChief Executive,Nabma

National Association of British Market AuthoritiesThe Guildhall, Oswestry,Shropshire SY11 1PZ.Tel: 01691 680713

Email: nabma@nabma.com

 

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Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets on the Move

Bimingham City’s Wholesale Markets are on the move with two locations on the edge of the City currently being looked at, The Hub, Witton, north west Birmingham and LDV, Washwood Heath, north Birmingham. There are many traders who have some fear about the move, however it will provide a secure future for all the markets.

Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The future of a wholesale market in Birmingham will be secured for the next 60 years, if Cabinet agrees the recommendations of officers on 25th March. I do not believe that there won’t be a wholesale market in the city and I made a commitment to secure its future many months ago when I first came into office and spoke to the traders.

“The indication is that we simply cannot afford the investment needed to continue with a wholesale market on the current site. Any solution needs to be affordable to both the city council and the traders, which is why the report will recommend moving the wholesale market to Witton or Washwood Heath.

“I know this is not what the traders want to hear, but we are in challenging financial times and the difficult choice is simply that if we want a wholesale market in the city of Birmingham then we need to consider the relocation proposals.

“I understand that there is a close relationship between the wholesale and retail (open, indoor, rag) markets and believe these recommendations, to be considered by Cabinet, will secure the future of all markets.

“I have talked to traders from both the wholesale and retail markets, not only about these proposals, but also about doing what I can to develop the city centre site for the retail markets and increase the footfall from the Bullring.

“And I have committed to the traders to visit the site next week to further understand their business.

“We have no statutory duty to provide a wholesale market, but we recognise that it is important to the local economy and the food supply chain, which is why the report will propose relocation to either The Hub, in Witton, or LDV, in Washwood Heath.

“Years of tradition will be upheld by providing a modern and fit-for-purpose wholesale market, but the traders have to work with us to secure its long-term future. The current wholesale market has reached the end of its economic life and it is recognised by everyone involved that it is too big for current and future needs.

“I know this isn’t the traders’ preferred option, but neither did they rule it out. Refurbishment or redevelopment of the current site simply isn’t affordable in the current financial climate. Whatever Cabinet chooses to do will be supported by taxpayers’ money so we have to ensure value for money, and as well as being affordable to the city council, it has to be affordable and sustainable to the traders themselves.

“However, we need to understand that wholesale markets across the country have been in decline over the last 20 years – here in Birmingham occupancy has declined to a 30 per cent vacancy rate in just the last few years.

“Yes, there is still a demand from both tenants and customers for these facilities, but they have to adapt to meet the changing market place. For example, no other wholesale market in the UK is co-located with its retail food markets and very few are based in city centres. Having the market outside the city centre would provide better transport links, particularly considering that the majority of the traders’ business comes from either outside of Birmingham or from the suburbs rather than the city centre.

“While a number of options have been carefully considered and costed, following extensive consultation with traders and customers, I believe this is the best option for both the survival of the wholesale market and for the continuing transformation of the city centre.”

Five options were taken forward for full evaluation:

15 year refurbishment;

30 year refurbishment;

redevelopment to include a new wholesale market;

relocation to Witton;

and relocation to Washwood Heath.

Detailed evaluation has considered: financial impact on the city council; job creation; whether it was fit for purpose; location and relationship with wider city regeneration.

The City Council have listened to the traders about how a new market should be designed and, subject to the Cabinet decision, they intend that as the two schemes are developed as part of the full business case they will involve them in that process.

The two relocation options are:

The Hub, Witton, north west Birmingham

The proposed new market would be constructed on a site of about 15 acres. Incorporated alongside the new 190,000 sq ft market would be 400 car parking spaces, warehousing and waste management facilities. The city council would continue to manage the markets but would consider ways in which it can involve the wholesale traders in its management to reduce costs. The new market would be expected to be operational by April 2016.

LDV, Washwood Heath, north Birmingham

The proposed new market would be built on a site of 14.5 acres. In addition to the new market the site would include warehousing, waste management facilities and extensive car parking. Whilst the city council has the option to manage this facility, the developer has offered to undertake this as well and this is something to be consider, taking into account the traders’ views.

Food festival line-up revealed

Britain’s favourite baking duo, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, are to return to the Bolton Food and Drink Festival.
The Great British Bake Off judges are back by popular demand after selling out their baking demonstrations and proving a hit at last year’s festival. This year’s four-day foodie spectacular will take place once again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday, August 23 to Monday, August 26.

Mary and Paul will perform their demos together on Saturday, August 24 in a dedicated marquee on Victoria Square. Mary said: “I received such a warm welcome from the people of Bolton last year that I was only too happy to return to the food and drink festival in August. “Everyone was so friendly and it was heartening to see so much interest in the art of baking.” Paul added: “I was very impressed with Bolton and in particular their award-winning market. “There was an abundance of fresh, local produce on offer and I am thrilled to be making a return visit. I look forward to seeing people at our demos.”

The festival, which attracted more than 102,000 visitors last year, will be launched by the two-Michelin starred chef Michael Caines on the Friday, and fellow festival favourite James Martin will take centre stage on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26. Sunday’s star attraction will be top Italian chef and restaurateur, Aldo Zilli. Specialising in Italian and vegetarian cuisine, Aldo founded his own chain of restaurants, has written more than 10 books and has appeared on numerous television shows. He has recently launched a new PR and marketing company, Zilli Media, and is currently Chef Consiliere to the award-winning San Carlo group, which includes restaurants in Manchester and London. Aldo said: “I’m really looking forward to coming to the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and cooking up some delicious Italian food. I’m passionate about fresh and local produce, so I can’t wait to see what Bolton has to offer.”

The Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “There is no doubt that the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is firmly on the map as one of the best events of this type, and it just gets better and better each year.

“Last year’s festival beat all previous records in terms of visitor numbers and we are determined to make this year’s event one to remember. The fabulous Michael Caines will launch the festival once again and we have firm favourite James Martin entertaining the crowds on Monday. “We were impressed with the impact Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry made on the audiences, so we were delighted they agreed to return again this year. And with the Italian flair of Aldo Zilli, the festival is bound to appeal to all tastes.”

More detailed information about the celebrity chef demos will be released soon and tickets will go on sale in May.

To keep up to date with the latest festival news, log on to the website www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com, visit Facebook and search for Bolton Food and Drink Festival or search for #boltonfoodfest on Twitter.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2013 is organised by Bolton Council and sponsored by Bolton College, Bluemantle, Crompton Place, The Market Place Shopping Centre and Stateside Foods.

Their partners this year are The Octagon Theatre, Kro Bar, the Marriott Worsley Park Hotel, Bolton Market, Harvey Nichols and The Albert Halls.

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Adam Corbally talks Markets.

Adam Corbally talks Markets.

Welcome to my column once again and I don’t know about you, but I thought that January flew by!
On a positive note, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy Valentines day and encourage you to create an opportunity. Go on and try that new line to sell on your stall and maybe even send that card? I know some of us did get a lot of snow towards the end of January, but it seems the majority of us suffered from bad weather “Press warnings” rather than actual bad weather early on in January, which was very frustrating as a lot of my regulars gave the market and their normal routine a miss whilst the warnings were in place.

I was very upset to see the recession, and arguably technology, have claimed another three victims in Jessops, HMV and Blockbuster.
It seems that as we destroy the Amazon rain forest on one hand, we fuel ‘Amazon’ online with more sales than ever and they keep breaking sales figures year on year.
It is easy for us to blame ‘technology’ for the failure of the above mentioned businesses, but for every part of me that feels very sorry for the failure of the businesses causing the ever changing face of our high streets and of course the tragic loss of jobs, as traders we need to also realise that technology and the likes of ‘Amazon’ are just a new version of the competition we have always faced and we need to come up with new ways to compete against them.
I think it’s no coincidence the three stores that went to the wall in January all sold electrical goods and it seems to me the problem is customers using us as ‘showrooms’ to touch and get the feel for products, before going home to look online for the best price and then get the product delivered to their door. This is the reason we have to up our game as retailers and make sure that we give the customer reason to buy there and then, rather than go home and have a think about it and end up purchasing the product online.
I know myself that profit margins are tough and I would not encourage discounts as the way to close a sale for two main reasons, the first being of course we don’t want to lose any profit on the sale and the second, a lot of online businesses offer a price match promise anyway. So lets give the online retailers a real run for their money, do what we do best and use our customer service skills to bring added value to the sale and encourage the customer to buy there and then. Ideas for this include; free delivery the same day, simply drop the goods off on your way home (I always use this and it works really well, even with the smaller items); offer something free into the sale that doesn’t cost you too much, i.e. batteries for the product, carry case, extra charger etc; on going technical support i.e. if they have a problem operating/using the product they can always feel welcome to come down and ask for help with it; free recipes to encourage customers to shop more regular at food stores and a way of selling extra goods. Literally anything that you can give the customer for ‘free’, which hasn’t got a high cost value to you, is worth its weight in gold to them and works wonders to close a sale. This tactic of offering added value to a sale can also be applied to almost any sale. A great example was over Christmas we were offering free Mistletoe, which costs next to nothing, with every Christmas Tree we sold. The customers were over the moon and it really helped close lots of sales as the customer felt they were receiving a discount of £3.99, when in fact it only cost me £1.00
I sincerely hope that you are all having a prosperous 2013 so far and you are enjoying my column. Some feedback from fellow traders is always very welcome and a great way to do this and promote your business and your products is via “Twitter” - my twitter name is @TheAdamCorbally and I always follow traders back.
It was great to meet some fellow traders who attended my Business and sales skills bootcamp in January, which was held at the Raddison Manchester, and I would personally like to invite you all to this months to be held at the same venue on Wednesday the 20th. Please get in touch via my website AdamCorbally.co.uk for availability and be sure to mention Market Trade News to receive your trader discount.
I am really excited for this years ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign and I hope that you all have your thinking caps on for ideas of how to promote YOUR Local market!
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2013 Market of the Year Winners

The winners of this year’s KPR Midlink ‘Market of the Year’ competition, organised by Nabma, were announced at the Nabma ‘Portas – Ideas and Innovation for All’ one day event at the Council House, Birmingham on 31st January.

The nine categories were: Best Street/Outdoor    Market, Best Indoor Market Hall, Best Small Indoor Market Hall, Best Speciality Market, Best Small Speciality Market, Best Private Market, Best Small Outdoor Market, Best Wholesale Market and Britain’s Favourite Market. The last one, Britain’s Favourite Market being the result of a public on-line vote. Once again, a record number of entries were submitted for this year’s awards and the standard was so high, the judges felt that two further categories, ‘The Best Market Attraction’ and ‘Best Local Council Market’ should be added.

DCLG Minister, Don Foster and Apprentice Semi-Finalist, Adam Corbally, presented the KPR Midlink Market of the Year Awards and results were as follows:

Best Street/Outdoor Market: Portobello & Golborne Road Market

Best Indoor Market Hall: Queensgate Market Hall

Best Small Indoor Market Hall: Southport Indoor Market

Best Speciality Market: Walsall Night Market

Best Small Speciality Market: Mr.Big Market

Best Private Market: Brixton Village/Market Row

Best Small Outdoor Market: Swadlincote Market & Farmers Market

Best Wholesale Market: New Spitalfields Market

Britain’s Favourite Market: Darlington Market

Best Market Attraction: Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market & Craft Fair

Best Local Council Market: Oswestry Powis Hall Market

The judging panel comprised of: Tim Cole, Commercial Writer of Market Trade News; Graham Wilson, Nabma Chief Executive; Jeremy Bradin of Sponsor KPR Midlink; Rob Nixon of Stoke on Trent City Council and Geraldine Carter, Nabma’s President Councillor. Jeremy Bradin, Director of the award sponsors, KPR Midlink Ltd, commented, “The entries were of a very high standard, showing yet again the tremendous effort markets staff put into their work, KPR are glad to be able to acknowledge these efforts with the awards and to continue the longstanding relationship with NABMA in particular and the markets industry in general” Graham Wilson added, “Each year I think the KPR Market of the Year will not attract the same level of interest and quality of entries, but each year my concerns are unfounded. This year has again been an excellent year with a record number of online votes for Britain’s Favourite Market and a record number of entries in a number of the diffrent categories. The evidence of this year’s competition demonstrates that there are some fantastic markets around with lots of ideas and innovations being introduced to make markets more attractive and successful. Taking part in the judging is one of the highlights of my year and is a perfect way of banishing the Christmas hangover.”

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