DATE – THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2016

VENUE – THE COUNCIL HOUSE, BIRMINGHAM

NABMA is pleased to announce details of this popular January event which will once again be held at the prestigious venue of the Council House, Birmingham for the first major markets event of the New Year.

This year the theme builds on the substantial work programme from Mission for Markets, shared by NABMA and NMTF, and the research and feedback that was generated. After spending the last year looking at the challenges and opportunities facing markets, the conference will cover some of the themes and share and celebrate the good practice and innovation that was discovered in the research. The big questions always focus around how a community creates a successful market and the tools needed? The next issue is always around sustaining and developing the market further. We aim to present some examples from market operators who have achieved success, and are willing to share their recipes.

Our draft programme includes the political view from Westminster and case studies of redevelopment agendas at Birmingham and Greenwich. We take the themed areas of Mission for Markets and look at management models, dealing with contract management and examining the Markets Check List that needs to be in place for all operators. We ask how communities can be more involved in their markets and look at who is driving new markets and innovation.

The January event would not be complete without the awards ceremony for Great British Market of the Year. Celebrate with us the very best in our various entry categories and be there to share first hand who will take the acclaimed title of Britain’s Favourite Market 2016.  Sponsored by KPR Midlink the judging panel will reveal the winners of this prestigious competition.

We have provided a very special early booking offer with three delegates able to attend for just £250. I urge you to book early as in recent years this One Day Conference has been oversubscribed. Please book early therefore to avoid disappointment.

COST -  SPECIAL OFFER OF £100 PER DELEGATE PLUS NEXT DELEGATE AT £75 OR 3 DELEGATE PLACES FOR £250 – ALL PLUS VAT for more details NABMA members will need to visit the website: http://www.nabma.com/

Enfield becomes a foodie haven as market relaunches during British Food Fortnight

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MARKETS 

Earlier this year the National Association of British Market Authorities published research commissioned from Manchester Metropolitan University and the Institute of Place Management Markets Matter: Reviewing the evidence highlighting the importance of markets and their impact on footfall in town centres. 

Now, with the support of six NABMA members, reports have been published on studies undertaken at each of these markets, looking at a wide range of economic factors. This research undertaken by ROI Team and commissioned by NABMA, is part of a year of work, aimed at highlighting the performance of markets, in preparation for the publication of Mission for Markets. 

The national Mission for Markets campaign demonstrates through this research that UK markets can prove their contribution to local economies, enabling them for the first time to determine their worth to owners, retailers, and potential investors in the following ways:

Markets deliver a big turnover from a small footprint - so are the friends of town centre locations

Markets support more jobs per area than other retail outlets

Markets are making a growing contribution to the local business chain

The research was conducted by ROI Team between February and March this year, assessed spend in six progressive markets in the UK.  Turnover data from both customers and traders was analysed from a market specific basis, with the highlights reporting:

Refurbished indoor/outdoor Markets in the north-west generate almost £30 million per year and support 160 jobs

Compact outdoor markets in the London suburbs, operating from a previously under used Town center space, are found to generate almost £3.5 million per year, supporting 50 jobs

Family traders in a north-west market now provide thousands of meals per week to Singapore Airlines and Chester Zoo cafes

One day per week outdoor markets in the north-west generate almost £2 million per year on an investment by the Council of less than £1000 

One of the objectives of the Mission for Markets campaign has been to bring intelligence and information resources, already widely available across the retail landscape, to the markets industry.  To this end the methodology used by ROI Team for the work will be made freely available to market managers via the Mission for Markets website www.mission4markets.uk.

Releasing the report, Graham Wilson OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of British Market Authorities said " This is a significant step forward for the retail market sector. We have demonstrated the economic importance of six award-winning markets across England, which we hope will enable every market in the country to prove its worth and pitch for funds and investment.  We welcome this work which strengthens the current Mission for Markets campaign".

The announcement of the new governments Minister for High Streets, Town Centres and Markets was made earlier today by the Department for Communities and Local Government, who have been keen supporters of the Love Your Local Market campaign, working closely with lead organisation, The National Association of British Market Authorities.

Marcus Jones has a history of campaigning for micro-businesses in his role as Ambassador for the 2010 ‘Keep Trade Local’, organised by The Federation of Small Business, even being presented with an award by the Federation for the Best 'Small Business Friendly' MP.  We hope Mr Jones will be just as enthusiastic an advocate of Love Your Local Market.  

The new markets MP also heads up the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centres as Chair, as well as having sat on the Backbench Business and Administration Select Committees, so has a good understanding of the challenges currently facing our markets and town centres.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with government and working with the Minister in the future....with one week to go of Love Your Local Market, we will hopefully see him out and about in his constituency visiting the excellent events being held on Nuneaton and Bedworth Markets.

Developing existing traders as well as encouraging new ones, seems to be just part of the key to success at Coalville Market.

North West Leicestershire District Council have been implementing on-going investment into the market and traders have seen footfall as well as profits rise accordingly.  

John Richardson, Head of Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council said:

“Coalville Market is going from strength to strength and we still have lots more to do, we have improved the exterior and now we are focussed on improving the interior with lighting and decoration., month by month we are seeing more traders, more shoppers and more quality local produce.”

Today is the launch of a manifesto for markets that aims to address the following areas of concern for retail and wholesale markets in the UK by:

Lifting the burden of business rates from markets

Make public liability insurance a legal requirement 

Protect markets from European red tape

The manifesto is part of Mission for Markets, a campaign run by NABMA and the NMTF, which aims to support managers and traders to compete in the fast-paced retail sector.

During February and March Love Your Local Market joined these two leading trade bodies who had  organised six roadshows across the country, consulting with over 200 professionals within the industry about the six key issues facing the markets industry, as laid out in the Mission for Markets framework.

Delegates discussed the key issues, focusing not only on what markets need to do to survive - but how markets need to change to be able to flourish and prosper.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of the NMTF, said: “It is clear that we need to lift the burden of business rates from markets. Liability for them is patchy at best across the country and many traders are denied the relief they are eligible for because of the current system of assessment.

“Public liability insurance also needs to be a legal requirement for market and street traders, events retailers and mobile caterers. This would protect businesses and the general public if there any accidents – we estimate 10% of traders in the UK don’t have the proper insurance protection.”

The markets manifesto also addresses concerns over European legislation that has the potential to strip local authorities of the power to effectively manage the balance of trade on their markets.

Graham Wilson, chief executive of NABMA, explains: “We need to ensure that the implementation of the European Services Directive does not undermine the essential characteristics of a market. Fundamentally, a market is a retail operation and needs to be treated as such.

“The industry is awaiting guidance from the Government on this matter, which also affects street trading legislation. What we need is the Government to stop tinkering around the edges and fully review the system – we have to meet the demands of modern day trading requirements.”

A survey of the economic impact of markets is also being carried out as part of the Mission for Markets campaign, which addresses both traders and operators of markets.

It is being carried out to demonstrate the economic impact of markets in the UK, which will provide the trade bodies with fresh data to back up their claims for government support and investment.

A website for Mission for Markets accompanies the campaign. Over summer 2015, this will be populated with examples of best practice from markets all over the country – real life examples of success.

A publication will be launched at the NABMA conference in September. Every MP and chief executive and leader of a local authority will receive a hard copy of the document.

Do you have an opinion on the big issues raised as part of the Mission for Markets campaign? Share your thoughts and experiences with NABMA and the NMTF at www.mission4markets.uk

The latest review of evidence detecting the effects of markets on local economies, health and wellbeing, social justice, access to fresh food and 25 contributing factors has been released today by the Institute of Place Management in Manchester, commissioned by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

The Report outlines unequivocally that markets contribute to the economic, social and political health of towns and cities and here is a quick break down on why:

Markets matter economically 

Markets have a significant turnover and notable multiplier. 

The total turnover of markets in the UK in 2008 was £7.6 billion and studies carried out in the USA and Canada have estimated the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts equate to a multiplier effect of around 3. This suggests the £3.5 billion turnover directly attributable to retail markets is worth £10.5 billion to the UK economy.

Markets positively impact on town centres. 

Markets can generate footfall increases of around 25% for town centres as new research for this project shows. Markets increase retail sales, with significant numbers (55%-71%) of market visitors spending money in other shops. This is worth £752 million per annum to London’s shop-based retailers.

The markets industry being a significant employer nationally and at a local level. 

In the UK, 105,000 people were directly employed in the markets sector in 2008 with many others in support roles. 22% of those working in retail in Leeds City Centre work in the market. 

With low barriers to entry, markets are excellent business incubators and support business formation. 

There are some 47,000 micro and small to medium sized businesses operating on markets in UK. This not only supports local economic development and diversity of retail offer but also encourages individual empowerment. 

Markets contribute financially to local activities. 

Municipal control of markets became commonplace in the late 19th century and 60% of markets are still run by the public sector, with income from markets supporting wider local authority services.

Markets support inter and intra-generational economic mobility. 

Many market traders are family businesses and employ extended family members on either a part or full-time basis. The emergence of youth markets, run by the NMTF and local authorities as a result of the Love Your Local Market campaign, as well as The Teenage Market is generating income for young people. 

Markets provide employment and self-employment opportunities that are open to all. 

Markets provide entry-level employment that can assist relatively unskilled or under-capitalised individuals and have also proved attractive to immigrant communities. 

Markets create multi-use and multi-scale economic environments, promoting commerce and competition. Through markets, small and micro businesses have direct access not just to individual consumers but to larger businesses to whom they can become suppliers. This provides diversity of offer and encourages colocation and competition. 

Markets contribute to making other businesses viable. 

There can be significant earnings for farmers who attended markets with increased profit margins, whilst these and other markets offer income opportunities for local businesses that contribute to their sustainability. 

Markets increase town centre resilience. 

Resilient towns respond and adapt to change. By representing more flexible and adaptable retail space, markets can respond quickly, satisfying the current trend for an increased convenience offer, for example. Our research shows markets actively contribute to all of the 25 priorities that can improve town centre vitality and viability, identified by the High Street UK 2020 project.

Markets provide access to affordable goods. 

Shoppers identified  ‘price’ as the main reason for shopping in some of London’s traditional markets and low-income shoppers ‘rely on their affordability’. Market prices are consistently lower than supermarkets. 

Markets attract tourists. 

They are “unique, quirky, unusual and always a bargain” according to VisitBritain, with a distinct atmosphere. Markets offer an enhanced tourist experience as they allow visitors to take part in the everyday life of the place they are visiting.

Markets matter socially 

Markets are places of social interaction. 

Used by all sections of society, markets are where people of different incomes, ages, genders and cultures can meet together and interact. 

They are the happy ‘third place’ of spontaneous interaction (Oldenburg, 1988). 

Markets facilitate community cohesion and social inclusion. 

Because of the ease of becoming a trader, markets have traditionally been attractive to new arrivals. They encourage newcomers to become part of the community and are spaces of diversity. 

Markets are crucial to the distinct identity of a town or area. 

From Market Rasen and Downham Market to the ‘modern market town’ that Altrincham prides itself on being, markets are emblematic of many places. They embody a community and set it apart from those without such an asset. They are a key part of the experiential identity of the place. 

Markets animate vacant or underused space. 

Whether in street, market place or vacant lot, markets create vitality and animation, drawing customers and onlookers. Their layout can encourage exploration and discovery. 

Markets benefit disadvantaged communities. 

The presence of local markets offering affordable and fresh produce can increase choice for people in deprived areas and improve their quality of life and help address social problems. 

Markets contribute to community development. 

The small business nature of markets, their entrepreneurial character and integration with the locality promotes community development and connectedness. 

Markets matter politically Markets promote sustainability. 

Markets promote sustainability. 

Environmental and ecological benefits arise from selling locally-sourced products, maybe organic or ethical and through serving local communities who mainly walk or use public transport. 

Markets offer food security. 

The network of wholesale and livestock markets and the number of businesses involved in retail markets provides food resilience and a vital link between urban and rural life. 

Markets promote community health. 

The availability of fresh and affordable food, opportunities for social interaction and participation in leisure activities enhance physical and mental well-being, especially for communities who would not otherwise be reached. 

Markets are places of innovation, experiment and education. 

The low operating costs, smallness of scale, availability of stalls and the fluidity of markets encourage traders to take risks and try ideas and products that may not be viable elsewhere and provide the opportunity to educate shoppers in how to use and learn more about different products. 

Markets engage people in society. 

The fact that markets are organised and regulated ensures participation by people from all backgrounds. This agglomeration and active engagement in shared activity has mutual benefits, both commercial and social and secures an active response from shoppers. 

Markets are flexible. 

There were 2079 markets in the UK in 2009 according to the NMTF. The same space or stalls can be used to sell different commodities targeting different social groups at different times as exemplified by Ludlow and St George’s Market, Belfast. They can respond rapidly to change with new innovations such as Teenage Markets, night markets, and extended trading hours. 

Markets shaped the world we live in and are part of our cultural heritage. 

The concept of a ‘market town’ is ancient and familiar and continues to have a profound effect on town and city centre performance. 

Markets determined our very geography and culture (Mumford, 1961; Braudel 1979) 

Markets have a significant impact on footfall 

The review of the published evidence has been augmented by an empirical investigation to establish a market effect. The Institute of Place Management have tested the hypothesis that markets attract significant footfall into town and city centres. Footfall is a key indicator of town and city centre performance, representing activity, usage and relevance. Towns and cities should be attractive and welcoming to all their citizens, not only the ones that intend to spend money. We propose a busy town is a healthy town. 

The research provides the strongest evidence to date of a market effect. 

The operation of a market significantly increases footfall on each of the homogenous weekday shopping days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) by between 15% to 27%, when compared to locations without markets, on the same days. This analysis of how markets contribute to town centre vitality and viability demonstrates the potential for markets to be leading the way, helping more ‘fixed’ forms of retailing adapt to the changing expectations people have of their towns and cities.