Posts in category: Basecamp

“Hello,  I was hoping you could help me with a request that I have had from a trader of ours please. They have asked if we should be in possession of an incident book where we would record events that happen within the market.For example: Last week a member of public came up to a trader and started shouting at them about them not agreeing to sell some items that they wanted them to sell.  When verbal incidents like this happen I advise the traders to call 101 and log it with the police.  My question is do we then also need to log these in an incident book?  Any help would be greatly received.  RegardsChristopher Hobbs-East”

Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, recently presented awards to the winners of the Great British Market Awards 2022 which were announced at a prestigious event in Birmingham on Thursday 3 February 2022. Mr Baynes, who is also the Chairman of the All-Party Markets Parliamentary Group, spoke at the event organised by NABMA (The National Association of British Market Authorities) where the most hotly anticipated award is that of Britain’s Favourite Market 2022. The awards attract tens of thousands of public votes, and the winners are chosen from shortlist who are then visited by mystery shoppers and finally selected by a panel of industry experts. Councillor Mick Barker, President of NABMA, said: “After over 30,000 public votes were received online, it is heartening to see passion and enthusiasm for markets across the country. “Year on year this competition demonstrates the value and pride that towns and cities place in their local market and the innovation and diversity that applies in modern market management.” Simon Baynes MP said: “It was a pleasure to present awards to the winners of the Great British Market Awards 2022. Nominations came in from far and wide and presented the most difficult of jobs for the judging panel. The judging panel was representative of some of the most experienced market professionals in the industry. Markets have shown great tenacity, innovation and enterprise over the last two years and continue to be valued as key parts of local communities and vital to the regeneration of our towns and cities. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Storecheckers, the UK leaders in customer feedback support for BIDs, Town Centres & Markets, attended the National Market Awards event recently held in sunny Birmingham. Various market winners were announced during the day, including the much-coveted title of “Britain’s Favourite Market”, which was awarded to Bury Market, based on research provided by Storecheckers.  Storecheckers’ MD Mr Jeff Caplan also took to the stage to present our latest research: “Christmas Markets 2021 – Making a Difference “, which reviewed the experience of visitors to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester festive markets.  The presentation highlighted the benefit that festive markets bring to the centres that host them:30% of market visitors had come into the centre, specifically to visit the Christmas marketLoyalty was high amongst returning visitors, with 63% having visited for between 5 and 10 years and 25% for more than a decade 31% thought the markets better than expected vs 20% worseWhen asked what they liked best, food and drink was the most popular aspect, given by 23% and 15% liked the “festive feel”22% wanted even bigger markets and 13% were looking for better value for moneyMarket attendees spent just over three hours in the centre, an hour longer than shoppers interviewed earlier in autumn 2021Respondents spent on average three times more in the centre than the market – £86 v £33 88% said their Christmas market spending had no impact on spends elsewhere in the centreIn summary, Jeff Caplan summed up the research by stating: “Yes, Christmas Markets certainly do make a difference to town centres. Our research shows that they bring people into centres, who stay longer and bring additional income to their hosts’ shops and restaurants, whilst adding to the festive atmosphere.” For further information please contact: Jeff CaplanManaging DirectorTel: 44 (0)161 980 8525Fax: 44 (0)161 980 8521Mob: 44 (0)7877 213892www.storecheckers.co.uk

Market traders have been able to get a glimpse of their future with a visit to the new market hall as further traders are announced by the council.With work well underway inside the market, traders were able to see where their stalls will be located and get a sense of how the new 36,000 sq. ft. space will feel.Two further experienced current traders have also confirmed their intention to make the move to the new market, Crustum and Stephen Cartridge Fishmonger.Crustum has been in Chester market since 2018 providing artisan bread and homemade cakes, alongside excellent quality coffee and teas all provided by local suppliers. All food is made from scratch using fresh and local produce, and with a modern twist. Crustum means bread in Latin, to represents the artisan bread which they are known for and as an artisan business as a whole. Owner Wiktoria Glazer said: We are looking forward to improving and growing further in the new market with excitement and passion, our core service is modern and casual dining which includes breakfast, brunch and lunch, where we offer fresh, simple and authentic dishes using local produce and are now proud to be 100 per cent vegetarian.”Steven Cartridge has been the fishmonger in the current market for over 20 years, providing fresh fish and seafood for customers and local restaurants. Stephen said: “As I live a few miles from Fleetwood I can assure my customers that all my fish and seafood will continue to be ‘same-day docks to counter fresh’, and far fresher and nutritious than anything supermarkets can offer. When the new market opens you can rely on me to offer a fantastic range of fish and seafood at great value.”One of the traders joining the tour was Ray Morris who runs MRKT Café with his family. Their ethos is to create a welcoming environment to cater for everyone, whether it’s a hearty breakfast to get your morning off to a good start, afternoon tea with your friends, a grab-and-go lunch in the middle of the working day, their popular speciality shawarmas or chef’s themed specials on Foodie Nights. Ray says: “We have been running the Café in the market for 20 years and have kept it true to its original nature, a traditional café and meeting place, serving our many loyal customers. We serve exceptional quality food and want everyone, young and old, to feel welcome in our space. We are very much looking forward to continuing this in the new market.”Also on the tour was Martin Taylor of The Sandbar; by combining his years of knowledge in top restaurant kitchens with travels from around the world and a passion for seafood and surfing, The Sandbar brought the perfect seafood shack experience to the current market in 2020 and has not looked back since. Martin said: “I look forward to continuing in my quest to offer seasonal dishes, classic coastal seafood, and original recipes from around the world; my focus is always on freshness and top-quality ingredients including bowls of steaming fragrant mussels; crispy soft-shell crabs with hot and sour salads, traditional fish soups, and sparkling fresh oysters shucked to order.”Three other current street food traders unable to join the first tour shared their excitement ahead of the new market opening:NiceBites was the original street food stall when the current market was rejuvenated and relaunched in 2016, with an impressive track record of great reviews and loyal customers, serving homemade American style burgers, hot dogs and sides, all made to their own unique recipe, even smoking their own meats and using local seasonal produce to create the very best flavours and dishes. Stuart Fenney said: “I’ve been waiting four years to take this leap to expand my business further into the new market and can’t wait to join the other great food stalls to offer an amazing choice of styles and tastes.”Thai by Thai and its sister stall Poon Poon Oriental Foods have become two of the current market’s most popular food outlets, building a fantastic reputation for fully authentic Thai and oriental street food and great value; the menu includes starters, ranging from spring rolls, toasties, calamari and fishcakes and main dishes range from stir fries, noodles, rice and curry. Poon Poon offers offered a wide range of oriental food with salad garnish and dips based on lighter buffet type food. Both run by Sirikorn Jones, originally from Thailand, she said: “My new stall will offer a unique and truly Thai cultural experience, combining the best of my current stalls featuring a stylish new interior design to complement my dishes.”Cheezy Bandits will be offering a cheese-themed street food stall inspired by the love of cheese.  It will offer a unique and delicious menu revolving around a popular and versatile food product, to provide fun, shareable dishes available to take away or dine in whilst customers explore the market, plus there will be vegan options too. Owner Nicky Groves is an experienced chef and restaurant manager, she said: We’ll be serving cheese-based dishes such as fully loaded mac and cheese with the option to put your own creative spin on it by choosing your own toppings, we will also put a cheesy twist on the classic burger, where cheese is the patty! Filled with oozing camembert, halloumi or smoked cheddar all sourced locally in Cheshire.”Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said: “Excitement is building as we get closer to opening the new market and with two more well-respected, existing traders being added to the line-up I think things are really starting to take shape. “Things are taking shape inside the building too, and I know that being able to show some of the traders around the new market has been a key milestone for the team behind the project. There is a real buzz amongst the traders, the public and the council teams now as we enter a really important phase of the project and keep working together to the deliver a new market for our city that we can all be proud of.”For more information on the new market see: www.newchester.market

Members will be aware of NABMA’s position on market lettings believing that traditional Markets are normally exempt from VAT. In this respect I am pleased to provide an update on a recent decision of a First Tier Tax Tribunal decision in respect of alleged VAT liability on a long-standing car boot sale. I am enclosing details of the decision which provide a useful commentary of the issues concerning VAT liability. The Tribunal found that VAT was not payable on the pitches at the car boot sales which is in line with NABMA’s position. There is a possibility that HMRC will lodge an appeal, and if so I update, but for the time being this decision reinforces the stand taken by NABMA.Yours sincerelyDavid Preston (BA Hons)Chief ExecutiveThe National Association of British Market Authorities

NABMA is pleased to announce a new help and research facility through our Basecamp service. We are delighted that so many markets use Basecamp regularly for questions, discussions and information. As an extra dimension, John Walker, Markets Manager at Calderdale has kindly agreed to act as a Basecamp Coordinator. Each month John will select from your Basecamp discussions a topic that generates the most interest and debate and then produce a Topic Note that will be placed in the Documents section of Basecamp. This month, John Walker, highlights the discussions around the supervision of markets:”Should markets be supervised on market days?”You will be able to find these topic notes in the Documents section of BasecampDocuments – NABMA Members Area for Member Yours sincerely David Preston (BA Hons)Chief ExecutiveThe National Association of British Market Authorities

We are delighted that so many markets use Basecamp regularly for questions, discussions and information.Each month we will now be adding a Basecamp Monthly Topic NoteThis month, John Walker, highlights the discussions around the supervision of markets:”Should markets be supervised on market days?”You will be able to find these in the Documents section of Basecamp here:Documents – NABMA Members Area for MemberWe hope you find them useful.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a nationally renowned and award-winning Markets Service for further information please follow the link; https://ce0078li.webitrent.com/ce0078li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=568036WjW4&WVID=54185200Pk&LANG=USAThe closing date is 10/03/2022

As a reminder the February edition of our publication can now be viewed.Click here to viewThis edition has guest articles from Sophie Watson of the Open University  looking at the skills of Market Managers and Graham Helibuth and the Valuation Office Agency as they consider business rates.You can also catch up with the latest NABMA news, forthcoming events, legal issues and professional development. We also welcome new NABMA sponsors.We hope you enjoy this bumper edition and the photo gallery from our Great British Market Award winners. The April edition will include behind the scenes interviews with the winners.Yours sincerelyDavid Preston (BA Hons)Chief ExecutiveThe National Association of British Market Authorities

NABMA is pleased to announce the February edition of our newsletter, NABMA Market View. Click here to view