Posts in category: Basecamp

Yesterday (1st November 2021) NABMA has held a meeting with senior representatives of Commercial Rating at the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The purpose was to update the VOA on Covid impact on markets and the issues now being faced, and to receive updates as the Valuation Officers are now working on the estimation of rateable values for the 2023 Rating List that are due to come into force on 1 April 2023. As a summary of our discussionsEvery market in the country will have received, or will receive shortly, forms for return for the 2023 Listing. It will seek 3 years of receipts plus rental information. The physical date of implementation is 1 April 2023 but the economic date relates back to 2021. Each form must be returned in 56 days.Each form has a box for supplementary information and the VOA highlight the opportunity for each return to include a local profile of the market in question. You are urged to include the fact that you may not have received any grants or government funding; no discretionary business rates relief;  the fact that no rents have been received and/or incentivised rents have been offered to safeguard the future of your market . Also record your thoughts on the future for your market in the next rating period.It is also important to detail expenditure incurred including the impact of rent free periods, making Covid secure and incentivised rents.Valuations will be worked up during February and March based on information to hand but if no additional information is provided the valuations will be estimated.  We feel from the discussion that the model to be used will be sensitive to the impact of the pandemic rather than being based purely as a straight forward valuation as under normal circumstances. It is therefore vital that you provide as much information as possible.A warning was given about the introduction by some markets of solar panels to indoor markets and the opportunity being taken to sell energy thereby creating an additional income stream for the market that has a value in terms of rating assessment. This would appear however to be a matter under review as part of the greening up agenda.In terms of Christmas Markets then the VOA confirmed that they are not adding to their original list of around a dozen of the very big Christmas Markets which normally operate over an extended period of up to several weeks. However they are looking at the possibility of one exception where it is a very big Christmas Market that only takes place over an extended weekend.The VOA confirmed that the majority of street trading continues to be exempt from business rates but where there is a permanent structure then liability might ariseIt is hoped that the above is helpful. NABMA will be discussing with its Business Rates Consultant the added support that he can make available within this process to our members and we will update.Further meetings with the VOA are planned for the New Year.Yours sincerely, David PrestonNABMA Chief Executive07989943444

The recent Lovel Your Local Market Campaign (run by NABMA) which took place in the final two weeks of October 2021, has given markets across the country a vital boost. The campaign, which traditionally takes place every May, was moved to October following the prolonged disruption to markets caused by the COVID pandemic. This year’s campaign received over 20,000 interactions which beat the 2019 figures by over 40% with over 14 million people reading messages from the campaign.  The campaign has included a range of innovative events and new trader initiatives, helping more people trial a business idea on a market at very low cost. David Preston, Chief Executive of NABMA, said: “Moving Love Your Local Market to October has proved to be a great success, with more markets joining in than ever. “After 18 months of disruption for markets, due to the pandemic, it has been fantastic to see the value that the public place in their markets and that they remain at the heart of communities across the country. “This week, we have launched the public vote for “Britain’s Favourite Market 2022”, part of the Great British Market Awards. The vote is a great way to get the public behind your market and we would urge markets across the UK to take part.” The top 6 markets in the public vote, will then go through to a final round, with the winner of the prestigious award announced in January 2022. To vote, visit the NABMA website here https://nabma.com/vote-for-britains-favourite-market-2022/ The public vote closes on Monday 13th December 2021 at midnight! Join the campaign using the hashtags #FavouriteMarket and #GBMA2022 The Love Your Local Market campaign will return in 2022, back to its more familiar time of year from Saturday 14th to Saturday 28th May 2022 inclusive. #LYLM2022 NABMA will be launching a new “Love Your Local Market Map” in the next few weeks, to enable markets to put themselves on the map ready for the 2022 campaign.

As we approach the end of a highly successful Love Your Local Market Campaign, the love continues with the launch of the Great British Market Awards 2022.  Voting is NOW OPEN for Britain’s Favourite Market which starts as a public online vote.Encourage your traders and customers to spread the word and see who can top the poll!The prestigious award will be presented at the NABMA January 2022 conference (details to be confirmed). Also launched today are the Great British Market Award nominations in the following categories: Best Large Indoor Market • Best Small Indoor Market • Best Large Outdoor Market • Best Small Outdoor Market • Best Community/Parish Market • Best Large Speciality Market • Best Small Speciality Market  • Best Wholesale Market • Best Food Market  • Best Market Attraction Entries, which close on 13th December 2021, can be made through the NABMA website. David Preston, Chief Executive of NABMA, said: “Following a busy Love Your Local Market Campaign, we are thrilled to be launching the Great British Market Awards. The award for Britain’s Favourite Market always attracts thousands of votes, so it’s a great way to keep your customers talking about their favourite markets.“We look forward to a busy voting session over the coming weeks and to seeing all the entries for the categories. I would like to wish every market ‘Good Luck’.” You can follow the campaign on social media with the hashtag #MyFavouriteMarket and #GBMA2022 Find all the details on the NABMA website: Public voting for Britain’s Favourite Market: https://nabma.com/vote-for-britains-favourite-market-2022/Enter Great British Market Awards: https://nabma.com/great-british-market-awards-2022/

Following on from the Budget Announcements yesterday,   Graham Heilbuth, our rating consultant has provided an overnight overview on Business Rates that may be helpful to you. “For the previous rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2020 to 31.3.2021, a 100% rate relief was applied to retail.  This was not subject to a cap. For the current rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2021 to 31.3.2022 a 100% relief applies to “retail” assessments for the period 1.4.2021 to 30.6.2021.  This is not subject to a cap.  For the remainder of the year, that is to say from 1.7.2021 to 31.3.2022, a 66% relief applies, although this latter relief is capped at £105,000. I can confirm that the government did include markets within its definition of retail in the discount schemes for both 2020/21 and 2021/22, and so there should be no reason why all markets which are assessed as a whole should not receive this benefit, subject, of course, to the cap that I have referred to.   The government has announced today that a 50% discount will apply to retail for the entirety of the next rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2022 to 31.3.2023.  This will be subject to a cap on the relief received of £110,000.  There is no reason to believe that the government will depart from its previous definition of retail, and so I am confident that this proposed relief will apply to market assessments”. NABMA is grateful to Graham Heilbuth for this update and It may be worthwhile just checking to ensure that all have received the discount as referred to.

Following on from the Budget Announcements yesterday,   Graham Heilbuth, our rating consultant has provided an overnight overview on Business Rates that may be helpful to you. “For the previous rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2020 to 31.3.2021, a 100% rate relief was applied to retail.  This was not subject to a cap. For the current rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2021 to 31.3.2022 a 100% relief applies to “retail” assessments for the period 1.4.2021 to 30.6.2021.  This is not subject to a cap.  For the remainder of the year, that is to say from 1.7.2021 to 31.3.2022, a 66% relief applies, although this latter relief is capped at £105,000. I can confirm that the government did include markets within its definition of retail in the discount schemes for both 2020/21 and 2021/22, and so there should be no reason why all markets which are assessed as a whole should not receive this benefit, subject, of course, to the cap that I have referred to.   The government has announced today that a 50% discount will apply to retail for the entirety of the next rate year, that is to say from 1.4.2022 to 31.3.2023.  This will be subject to a cap on the relief received of £110,000.  There is no reason to believe that the government will depart from its previous definition of retail, and so I am confident that this proposed relief will apply to market assessments”. NABMA is grateful to Graham Heilbuth for this update and It may be worthwhile just checking to ensure that all have received the discount as referred to.

People are showing their love for markets in record numbers during this year’s Love Your Local Market Campaign.The event which continues until 30th October, has already seen over 12,000 interactions from markets, traders and the public, beating the overall total in 2019 – the last time the Love Your Local Market Campaign ran.Consumers, markets & stall-holders are joining in the campaign using the hashtag #LYLM2021 and sharing news of their events, incentives for new traders and proving again that “Markets are at the Heart of our Communities”.David Preston, Chief Executive of NABMA (which organises the campaign), said:After such a difficult 18 months for markets across the UK, it is heartening to see people getting behind their markets and supporting the Love Your Local Market campaign.It really does show that markets are key to the rejuvenation of our high streets and are vital assets for their local communities.There is still time to get involved, so I would urge everyone to take some time to visit their local market and show some love online too.To find out more about the campaign, visit the website here Love Your Local Market

In recent months NABMA has provided a large number of supportive references for members when an application has been made to the above funding streams for schemes with a market inclusion. As a reminder the original government launch targeted funding with the aim to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability. It set out to do this by providing co-funding to successful applicants to support transformative and structural changes to overcome challenges in their area. NABMA is interested in hearing the progress of any successful bids and the resulting or planned benefits and impact on markets. If you have a story to tell then we would like to hear you, possibly looking to use that story in our February 2022 conference.

I am managing a project to refresh the Listed market square in Cambridge Cambridge Market Square project – Cambridge City Council and our aspiration is to move away from the current fixed infrastructure and introduce demountable market stalls, so the space can be used for other things, outside of the 7 day a week market trading time. Key information I am keen to find out is:If any members are currently using demountable stalls and if so how the stalls are affixed – such as by the use of weights, the traders’ own stock used as ballast or if the stalls are fixed to the ground?What extremes of weather your stalls withstand, particularly wind speeds? The robustness and practicality of the stall infrastructure and canopies you use How the internal layout is adapted to meet different trader business needs The total time and the man (person) power needed to set up and take down The cost per annum spent on the setting up and taking down of markets, e.g how long does it take to set up/take down one stall and by how many people?How power and water are provided to the stalls?Where your market stalls are stored, the amount of space that is needed and how they are transportedDoes anyone know what the company Tectonic is now called as I cannot find them and their stalls have been recommended to me. I appreciate any help you can provide.  Thank you very much from Sarah French

We are now into the second week of Love Your Local Market 2021. We have enjoyed all the social media posts from week one that have been retweeted and shared and enjoyed by many. Have you posted pictures of your market and traders yet celebrating this fantastic event that is also being rolled out around the world? For further information please click Our Campaigns – Love Your Local Market – NABMA This is the ninth year of this high profile event started by NABMA and now delivered in  24 different countries. This year, of course,  is different, due to Covid, with an October date but the messages are the same and now even more important – markets are back; they are at the heart of their local communities and high street and offer exciting low entry and low cost business opportunities. Remember how many national companies started life on their local market. Year on year markets use this celebration to add exciting events to their calendars, create offers and promotions, arrange markets for young people and highlight the important role of markets in our towns and communities. We have created a variety of logos and social media tiles for you to use on your various networks including exact sizes for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profile pictures and headers. We will be adding new content all the time. You can also download print ready (CMYK) versions of the graphics for any printed material you plan to produce.Please join in the campaign this week; use our logos on your social media and tag us in your posts. Send us pictures of your activities and any celebrity visitors to your markets. Together, let’s use the LYLM 2021 campaign to send the message far and wide – that markets are back and at the heart of our local communities.

For information, The food and information amendment (Natasha’s Law) has come into effect this month. It will require businesses in England to provide a full list of ingredients and allergen labelling on prepacked food for direct sale. This new law is being introduced to protect allergy suffers. The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (legislation.gov.uk) Further information is also available  Natasha’s Law – UK Food Labelling Resource – Homepage (natashas-law.com)