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.

Council thumbs-up for Preston Market

Two years of uncertainty about the future of Preston Market ended on 8th May when Council leader Peter Rankin and Jonathan Owen of Quarterbridge gave Traders a thumbs-up for the future. Last year the Council commissioned Market consultants Quarterbridge to research and produce recommendations for their Market operation following their decision to demolish the 1970’s Market Hall and Car Park after structural investigations confirmed rising costs made it impractical to maintain the crumbling concrete building. A packed meeting of Traders from both the Market Hall and adjacent Covered Market heard Councillor Rankin confirm the Council was committed to the Market but now had to consider the options. He said:

“Despite limited resources, the Council remains committed to providing a modern, fit for purpose Market delivering a low cost, fresh, healthy food offer in the City centre.” Traders welcomed his statement, which came after several years of uncertainty about the future. Some 60 businesses trade indoors and on the Covered Market, but following the withdrawal of developers Grosvenor and LendLease from the proposed Tithebarn central area regeneration project it was unclear whether a replacement would ever be constructed. The Tithebarn project involved converting the Victorian open-sided Covered Market into a new Market Hall, but this was abandoned in November 2011 when the anchor tenant, John Lewis, opted for Hammersons’ Eastgate development in Leeds instead.

Since then Preston Council has been exploring ways to replace the Market Hall and re-start the central area regeneration, with most options involving relocating of the Market Hall and releasing it’s site for a mixed-use retail and leisure development.

The report was presented by Quarterbridge Director Jonathan Owen who confirmed the current Indoor, Covered and Carboot operation trades under capacity, but still has a sustainable future within a catchment of 250,000. Traders heard how most of the relocation options are under Council control and not subject to the type of lease which forced the recent closure of Lancaster Market Hall. The report was supported by a retail catchment analysis, which confirmed how the mixture of Indoor, Covered and Carboot operations remains a big attraction to shoppers, with the potential to develop it further.

The Quarterbridge recommendations include:

Replacing the Market Hall with a smaller modernised version - sized to maintain the fresh food offer but ensure 100% occupancy. The size to be dependent on a detailed study of Traders space requirements and the relocation options.

Maintaining continuity of trade by building the new Market Hall before closing the existing building.

Incorporating an Anchor footfall attraction and maintaining the winning combination of Indoor, Covered and Carboot.

Including a Shoppers’ carpark in the redeveloped Market Hall site.

Intensifying use of the Market asset by staging events like Farmers Marts whilst introducing business support through the Federation of Small Businesses.

Jonathan Owen said: “Our research clearly confirms a varied Market operation is sustainable. Our report shows the options the Council need to consider to take things forward”. Responding, Councillor Rankin said: “We welcome the Quarterbridge findings and will now consider all the recommendations in detail before taking any further decisions. We regard the Markets Quarter as the means to kick-start City centre regeneration and are determined to make the best possible use of the Covered Market canopies which are a huge asset for the City”.

The full report can be viewed at www.preston.gov.uk/marketsreport

Big things are happening at Bolton Market...

The redevelopment works at Bolton Market are now well underway with £4.5million funding secured from the councils capital budget and planning approval granted at the end of last year. The scheme builds on the quality and strength of the market’s food offer with improvement works to the building including: replacing the roof on the fish market and also the eastern hall, which houses the non-food section, introducing additional indoor food stalls and a seating area in the eastern hall; and repairing the roof over the western hall which contains the fresh fruit and vegetable traders. Whilst the traders from the non-food section have been moved into a temporary market site on the outdoor market, the market’s popular fruit and veg section and the fish market are open for business as usual throughout the works to avoid any disruption to trade. The refurbished eastern hall will be fitted with multifunctional shop units which can be adjusted easily to accommodate any trader need. Further units have been fitted out to accommodate new food traders. Product lines in this section will include: beauty and fashion accessories; fashion clothing and textiles; household and hardware; food, leisure and sports goods. This is an exciting opportunity for new traders to come and be part of an award-winning market, which is one of the premier shopping destinations in the North West.

To express an interest contact us by email on bolton. markets@bolton.gov.uk or call 01204 336825.

NABMA - The Voice of Local Authority Markets.

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

Email: nabma@nabma.com

MARKET TRADERS GET MOBILE WITH INTUIT PAY

MARKET TRADERS GET MOBILE WITH INTUIT PAY

INTUIT WAIVES TRANSACTION FEE FOR MARKET TRADERS IN SUPPORT OF LOVE YOUR LOCAL MARKET

To celebrate the start of Love Your Local Market, Intuit has today announced an exclusive offer for market traders taking part in the initiative, to enable them to take card payments from their stalls with Intuit Pay.
Intuit Pay, which enables anyone to securely accept credit and debit card payments anywhere using a smartphone, tablet or computer, is being offered to traders at 1,500 of the UK’s local markets as part of the exclusive partnership deal.

As the UK’s local markets witness a revival in fortunes, traders are looking to new technologies such as mobile payment devices, to ensure they remain competitive. Intuit’s partnership offer aims to support the UK’s local market traders, ensuring they never miss a sale.

Love Your Local Market will be launched today at London’s Portobello and Golborne Road Market by Minister for Local Growth Mark Prisk MP. The initiative is a two-week celebration of market trading taking place across the UK, hosted by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Intuit’s deal with Love Your Local Markets will offer the Intuit Pay Bluetooth chip and PIN card reader at half price to traders at local markets across the UK. Each trader using Intuit Pay will also benefit from £2,500 worth of free transactions for 90 days*.

Graham Wilson, chief executive of NABMA said: “Love Your Local Market is the biggest markets industry event for years. It gives markets the opportunity to attract new traders and show their importance to the local community.

“NABMA is delighted to be working with Intuit, who have proved themselves so successful in helping small businesses, and is grateful for their generous contribution to help both existing and new traders.”

Mark Little, UK MD of Intuit said: “Intuit Pay solves an important problem for the millions of small businesses in the U.K. who don’t currently accept card payments and so miss out on sales or prompt payment as a result. The UK’s market traders are a hugely important part of that small business community.

“Intuit is thrilled to support Love Your Local Market by offering this deal, which we hope will ensure the market traders across the UK can thrive.”

Intuit Pay is already being used by thousands of small businesses across the UK and can add real benefit to market traders who often miss out on larger value sales as customers carry less and less cash.

Sinead Kohler, Sinead Kohler, co-founder of the Crafty Fox Market found that Intuit Pay improved the takings at their market: "We found that customers spent more at the stalls using Intuit Pay, as they weren’t limited by the cash in their pockets”

Stacie Swift, owner of Stacie Swift Illustration has been using Intuit Pay on market stalls and found it a simple way of maximising sales: "Using Intuit Pay means I don’t miss out on people making ‘impulse buys’… I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but I found Intuit Pay really easy to set up and use."

Altrincham Forward Office Opens

Altrincham Forward’s new town centre office will open its doors for the first time on Sunday 19th May, from 11am to 3.30pm.

The office is in the former Chisnalls unit at 12/14 Shaw’s Road and will be the base for the Town Centre Team, led by Paul Armstrong - Altrincham’s newly appointed Town Centre Manager.

Matt Colledge, Chair of Altrincham Forward and Leader of Trafford Council said: “We are delighted that Altrincham Forward will now have a presence right in the heart of the town.

“The office won’t be fully operational until early July, but it is now ready for occupation and the first exhibition in the new community display area will open on Sunday. This is being staged by Local Creation, our local creative arts studio and workshop. We hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to pop into the office, visit the markets and enjoy the many bars, cafes and restaurants around the market area.”

The first few weeks will be used to set the office up properly, iron out any glitches and familiarise staff. A more formal launch will be held when the Town Centre Manager takes up his post in July.

It will be well worth paying a visit to Altrincham on Sunday 19th. The new office is directly opposite the Lower Market where the town’s first Student Market is being held by Trafford College.

Nearby Local Creation are having one of their popular Open Days and the busy, monthly Vintage, Crafts and Food Producers Market is in the main market buildings. Trafford College students will be providing music and entertainment throughout the day.

It is Love Your Local Market Fortnight, all part of encouraging people into the town centre.

Local charity Art with A Heart‘s “Tribute to Basil Morrison” exhibition will also be open at their new location in Norman’s Place.

Enjoy a great day out during Love Your Local Market fortnight

As the sun continues to shine, why not take a stroll through one of the District’s markets during Love Your Local Market fortnight – May 15 to 29 to see what they have to offer?
In celebration of all that is good about markets, local people and visitors will be sure of a great day out at markets in Louth, Spilsby, Horncastle, Mablethorpe and Alford as they join more than 300 others nationwide for two weeks of celebration.
Council Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, including Markets, Councillor Craig Leyland, said: “In recent weeks occupancy at out Council-run markets has been up meaning we are seeing increasing choice and variety. Schemes such as First Pitch, in which we are supporting young entrepreneurs, also ensure a new blood is flowing through the veins of our markets. Two new traders on Louth Market will benefit from free pitches during the fortnight as part of this scheme. We are also actively supporting Young Enterprise groups to trade at weekend markets, and musicians from local schools who have been given the opportunity to busk at the markets – something that proved particularly successful at Horncastle recent Farmers’ Market.
“Markets are at the heart of our Market Towns and, quite rightly, should be celebrated for all they offer and recognised for the part they play in the local economy, not only by encouraging people to shop locally and attracting visitors from further afield, but also showcasing local produce and supporting new and small enterprises, creating job opportunities for local people.”
The weekly Markets offer everything from food to fashion and home décor to garden supplies plus a whole lot more. Through the year there are also monthly Farmers’ Markets and specialist markets offering even more choice. And, each Monday you will find an auction in Spilsby Market Place – the perfect place to pick up a bargain.
During Love Your Local Market fortnight, as well as the regular market stalls, there will be healthy cooking demonstrations using produce donated by traders and health checks on May 20 in Spilsby, May 22 in Louth and May 23 in Horncastle where visitors can also learn more about the services of the District Council’s health team and leisure centres – including an offer where people can join Horncastle’s Lifestyle Fitness Suite throughout May for just £19.99 a month.
Markets Manager Esther Belton added:
“During the two weeks we hope to showcase our markets at their best, and also show people how they can live a healthier lifestyle by making use of the fresh and tasty produce which can be found at our local markets as well as the leisure opportunities across the district, from a walk in our local Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to more structured support at our leisure centres.”
And, at markets during the week May 20-23 traders in Horncastle, Louth and Spilsby are being invited to decorate their stalls with a heart theme – to tie in with Love Your Local Market Fortnight.
There is a lot more to the district’s markets than first meets the eye, so why not come along and see for yourself what they have to offer? And, while visiting the markets take a stroll through the pretty market towns where you will find quirky cafes and tea rooms nestled among small independent shops which are well worth a visit.
You can take a trip back in time in Horncastle’s many varied antique shops - each full to the brim with history, or indulge in your passion for food in Louth - dubbed East Lindsey’s Food Capital, or search for a special gift in Spilsby’s traditional gift shops. Mablethorpe is perfect for a stroll along the prom as you sample some of the local ice-cream delights, and in Alford you will find many locally produced craft items – perfect for the home or for a gift. There really is something for everyone in East Lindsey’s Market Towns.

Markets days:
Monday: Spilsby
Tuesday: Alford
Wednesday: Louth
Thursday: Horncastle and Mablethorpe
Friday: Louth and Alford
Saturday: Horncastle and Louth
Horncastle Farmers’ Market takes place on the fourth Saturday of the month.
Louth Farmers’ Market takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Market makes “grand” donation to hospice

 

Generous shoppers and traders on Bury Market have raised £1,000 in donations for Bury Hospice.

It was smiles all round as Michelle King, community fundraiser for the hospice, received a cheque from Tony Hall, proprietor of Tony’s Cards on Georgiana Block, a card and gift stall on the award-winning market.

The new £5 million hospice, which recently opened its doors in Rochdale Old Road, has been mainly funded by donations and fund-raising events, with only a tenth of costs being provided by government.

East Lindsey’s Markets are the Real Deal

EAST Lindsey’s three District Council-run markets have been given the thumbs up after a visit by Trading Standards officers.
Louth Market was visited by Trading Standards as part of the Real Deal scheme which aims to rid markets and carboot sales nationwide of counterfeit and illegal goods.
As a result of being given the all clear the three District Council-run markets in Horncastle, Louth and Spilsby have all earned all the Real Deal accreditation and signed up to a Markets’ Charter – recognising East Lindsey’s commitment to safe and fair trading at its local markets.

Council Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, including Markets, Councillor Craig Leyland, said: “Markets are a great British tradition and the traders on our markets pride themselves in providing visitors with an exciting range of good quality products and produce.
“The Real Deal accreditation shows local people and visitors that when they buy an item from our markets they can rest assured they are buying from a market that does all it can to uphold the highest standards in trading.   We work closely with Trading Standards and welcome their visits to our markets at any time.”
The Real Deal campaign is a cross-sector partnership initiative involving local authority Trading Standards and local market operators – in this case Lincolnshire Trading Standards and East Lindsey District Council.
At the heart of the Real Deal campaign is the national Markets' Charter, which has been created in consultation with all the partners in the initiative and which sets out key principles for market operators, local authority trading standards services, industry and trademark representatives to sign up to and abide by.

Art put back into Eccles market

Community artists and a team of supporters are putting the ‘art’ back into Eccles market as part of £50,000 plans to revitalise the town centre.

Community arts worker Fay Flatt and photographer Tom Reed are working with traders and their customers to collect stories and photos of market life for use in a permanent display inside the building. Their work and ideas from traders will also be translated by Ordsall artist David Lowther into a giant mural inside the building on Southway.

The market facelift is the first project launched by the new Eccles Town Team, after Eccles was awarded £50,000 from Salford City Council and the government through the High Street Innovation Fund.

The team is made up of local traders, community representatives, councillors and city council staff and has been set up to promote Eccles and drive activities to boost the town. The Town Team will be launched during national Love Your Local Market Fortnight (15 – 29 May).

Councillor Lisa Stone, chair of the Town Team, said; “This is just the start of a series of exciting plans and projects to breathe new life into Eccles. We’re using local talent to revamp the market.

“Fifteen market stalls will be given bright, new, traditional-style green and white canopies and local seamstress Elizabeth Charnley, who runs Darn IT Alterations in Eccles, is making matching bunting to decorate the inside of the building. The interior will also be painted and have new signs designed by Eccles based company Scissor, Paper, Stone. It’s a great way of supporting local businesses.”

And to encourage more people to consider market trading, there will be a ‘market stall taster day’ on Eccles Day, Saturday 18 May with stalls available at a 50% discount on normal rates - just £7 for a full day - alongside the regular farmers market and craft market on that day.

City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “Eccles has a long and proud history as a market town. This is all about reminding people what a great shopping centre they have on their doorstep and encouraging people to shop local.”

Anyone interested in taking on a market stall should contact Eccles market team on 0161 793 3868 or e-mail: kevin.rutter@urbanvision.org.uk  by noon on Thursday 16 May. Restrictions on the type of goods to be sold will apply.