Tributes are paid to ‘unique’ trader

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a “unique character” who died in February after nearly 50 years as a trader on Royston Market. John Sims, who was 73, died following a battle with leukaemia.  The Hitchin resident, who ran a kitchen supplies stall with his wife, June, was a well-known face in the town having been working on the market since 1964.

Fellow traders set up a book of condolences and left flowers on a stall in Market Hill the following week. Stallholder Anthony Whiteman said at the time: “He was a unique character and you don’t get many people in any walk of life who stay in one place for so long.

“The stallholders wanted to do something in his memory.  So many people have been coming up and signing the book or leaving flowers.  I’ve already taken one lot over to June and will be dropping some more off this week.”

Andy Tucker, of the fishmongers stall, said: “I’d known John since I was three years old.  He was a good mate and really one of the old school, you don’t get people like him anymore.

“He told it like it was and I think people appreciated that.  He’ll be sadly missed by everyone.”

Mrs Sims said her husband became a market trader because he wanted to be his own boss. She said: “He loved the freedom of it and we ran the stall together.  The market has changed a lot over the years, but he still really enjoyed what he was doing.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the weekend because he knew so many different people and we had a lot of regular customers.”

The couple have no children. Mr Sim’s funeral took place at Luton Crematorium on February 28th.

Wellingborough’s market could be on the move

Wellingborough Market could be moved further into the town centre as part of plans to improve it. The council met with traders last month and discussed a range of ideas to develop the market, and is now recommending that stalls be moved down onto Market Street and Orient Way for a four month trial period.

Wellingborough’s long tradition as a market town dates back to the granting of its market charter in 1201. In recent years the facility has been declining and often has less than half of its 87 stalls occupied. An independent review of the market, undertaken at the end of last year by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), showed that although the market’s location is very central, and close to local amenities such as the library, public toilets and free car parks, people were not turning off the main thoroughfare of Burystead Place and Market Street to visit it.

The review also advised that the market should be better publicised, and that more work could be done to improve the variety of goods on offer. The council discussed the review with traders and came up with six recommendations, which will be formally considered by the council’s development committee next week.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Tim Allebone, said: “We have a proud history as a market town. Even though markets all over the country are struggling, we believe we can do more to make ours more vibrant and successful than it is at the moment. The NABMA review confirmed that the market in its current position is not easily visible, and suggested it needed to be addressed as a priority. We met with the traders and they expressed a desire to relocate the majority of the stalls down into the main part of the town centre. We are happy to give this a go and are recommending to the committee that we try the move for a few months, starting as soon as it’s feasible.

“We have lots more planned, such as ways to attract new traders and a wider variety of traders, but the main thing we want to achieve initially is to help people realise that the market is there and that there’s already a lot on offer. The market is an integral part of our town and we want to protect it. Reviving it will not happen overnight, but the recommendations and plans we have in place are a positive start.”

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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