As part of Real Deal Week 2025, NABMA is encouraging all members to confirm their ongoing commitment to fake-free trading by either signing the Real Deal Charter for the first time or renewing and re-promoting their existing Real Deal status.
Since its launch in 2009, more than 500 markets have signed the Charter in partnership with their local Trading Standards services. Among the early pioneers were Manchester, Bradford, Calderdale, Bury, and Tower Hamlets—markets that continue to demonstrate leadership in upholding safe, fair trading environments.
Other early Real Deal signatories include: Bolsover, Cheshire East, Chesterfield, Corby, Darlington, Daventry, Ilkeston, Hackney (Hoxton, Ridley Road and Kingsland), Leeds, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Loughborough, Hinkley, Hitchin, Maidstone, Melton Mowbray, Sheffield, Wakefield, and Walsall.
Manchester: Reinforcing Zero Tolerance for Fake Goods
Manchester City Council was the first in the UK to sign the Charter back in November 2009. In 2024, they celebrated 15 years with a full Real Deal relaunch at Gorton Market, Longsight Market, and New Smithfield Sunday Market.
“It has been almost 12 months since we reaffirmed our commitment to the Real Deal initiative. During this time, we have continued to encounter tenants and traders who disregard the established rules. However, I am confident that the gravitas of our message has been understood… such behaviour has become less frequent and not on the same scale as previous.” — Jo Sclater, Head of Wholesale and Retail Markets, Manchester City Council
Traders at Manchester’s New Smithfield Sunday Market were encouraged to promote the Real Deal message at the market’s renewal event last summer.
Key Benefits Identified by Manchester:
Enhanced procedural clarity for managing traders
Increased staff awareness of counterfeit goods
Stronger partnership with Trading Standards
Greater confidence from senior leaders and councillors
“We aim to reinforce that Manchester’s markets do not tolerate the sale of fake goods in any form.” — Cllr Lee-Ann Igbon, Manchester City Council
Bury Council’s then head of Trading Standards Angela Lomax (now at Lancashire County Council) with Bury Market Manager, Andrew Heyes
Tower Hamlets Market Services renewed their Real Deal commitment at their ten-year anniversary, pictured here on a visit to Roman Road Market with the Council’s Trading Standards Service providing Real Deal advice leaflets to traders.
Bradford’s Markets Manager, Colin Wolstenholme collected the Real Deal renewal certificate from Duncan Stephenson, CTSI Director of External Affairs.
Robert Kilner Business Performance and Projects, Markets Service, Calderdale Council
Bradford and Calderdale: 15-Year Partnership Recognition
At the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Conference in Leeds last year, both councils renewed their commitment with West Yorkshire Trading Standards.
Bury Market: Promoting the Real Deal Since 2009
A long-time supporter of the Charter, Bury Market celebrated 10 years of commitment in 2019.
Tower Hamlets: Taking the Message to the Street
Tower Hamlets marked their 10-year Real Deal anniversary with a street-level campaign, distributing leaflets at Roman Road Market in collaboration with their Trading Standards team.
If these examples inspire you, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re ready to start your Real Deal journey or want to refresh your current status, support is available.
We welcome news stories, job vacancies and tender opportunities from our members for publication. If your market has some news to share, please email support@nabma.com
