Posts in category: Basecamp

Have you booked yet for our Annual Conference and AGM from the 18th  to 20th  September 2022 at the Double Tree Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa? As we approach the end of the month then our allocation of hotel rooms has to be finalised.Please book asap to help us as places are limited at our current rate. NABMA Annual AGM & Conference 2022 – NABMA We are excited as our programme comes together. We start as always with our Sunday AGM but this year, as we come out of the pandemic, we include an Open Forum to look at the future of NABMA and the challenges and opportunities it faces. Sunday then has a Welcome drinks reception, followed by a buffet, and a chance to meet Vitabri as our conference sponsor and your fellow delegates, the NABMA team and our sponsors. We have a wide selection of conference sessions over Monday and Tuesday, looking at markets that are rebuilding, securing funding and driving change. We will also explore how certain markets are working to offer a new vision and undertaking master planning. As always, we will celebrate with award winning markets and look particularly, at how the industry can secure the market traders of the future. We will also present the headlines from the NABMA National Retail Markets Survey 2022. Our Gala Awards Reception and Dinner will announce the NABMA Market Industry Awards for 2022. Above all, the Conference will be a recognition of the immense contribution of markets to local communities and their role and influence within the government levelling up agenda , as they help to drive change in towns and cities across the UK. Can you afford as a market professional not to be at the largest market conference of 2022 and share the debate? Book now and join us at our Conference and come away with new ideas, inspiration and new friends. Yours sincerelyDavid Preston (BA Hons)Chief Executive

NABMA is delighted to announce that PFM Footfall Intelligence have become a NABMA sponsor for 2022. PFM Footfall Intelligence is a technology consultancy partner specialising in people counting and related data science. Working directly with clients across a range of sectors they offer a highly experienced team to design, procure and manage the implementation of ICT, Audio Visual and Intelligent Building technology. The company is well known in the market industry and have a long history of partnership with NABMA.David Sturdy, Sales Director said “PFM Footfall Intelligence are excited to be able to sponsor NABMA for the first time this year. We have enjoyed a productive relationship with NABMA for many years by exhibiting at the annual conference and providing a markets footfall index for members. It is great to be able to now take the next step into sponsorship. This will provide PFM Footfall Intelligence with a great platform to assist market operators in delivering the accurate data they need to inform their operational decisions. It will also give NABMA an opportunity to enhance the services they offer to their members”. David Sturdy added “As part of our offer to NABMA we will be re-launching the weekly PFM footfall index for markets so that members can compare their market performance against a national picture. This index is compiled from all the markets that currently have a PFM solution installed and we are constantly looking for markets with competitor supplied systems to share their data with us so that we can enhance the data we provide and the insight that can be delivered. In these very challenging times, it is becoming more and more obvious that having access to high quality data is key to understanding the impact of Global events on our businesses. We are looking forward to enjoying an enhanced relationship with NABMA and helping members to better understand business performance using PFM data.”  NABMA Chief Executive David Preston said “NABMA is delighted to welcome David Sturdy and PFM Footfall Intelligence as the latest NABMA sponsor. The company has worked alongside NABMA for some years providing invaluable support to our membership by collecting and analysing footfall data. The relaunch of the weekly PFM footfall index is a major asset for NABMA members as the use of data can contribute to overall business planning and driving performance. Look out for further information about the PFM footfall index and meet David Sturdy at the NABMA Conference at Harrogate in September”. David Preston (BA Hons)Chief ExecutiveThe National Association of British Market Authorities

Have you booked yet for the final Regional Conference of the 2022 series? The Regional Conferences focus on how markets are emerging from the pandemic, the change agenda alongside a range of topical market issues. The final event of the 2022 series is focussed on London and the South but is open to all. The theme is ‘Markets Delivering Change’ and will be delivered by Zoom between 10.00 and 12.30  Each event has a regional flavour as we want to give people a chance to talk about what is happening locally. We also want to help you build up local contacts. This free event is open to all NABMA members and involves some of your local colleagues, members of the NABMA team and our sponsors. Please support your colleagues and let’s talk markets.BOOK HERE The programme for the 28 July is:- Welcome From NABMA President Councillor Mick Barker and Market Place, our Event SponsorMarkets and the London SceneThe Economy Committee of the London Assembly has been discussing the current landscape for street and covered markets in London and what are the key challenges and opportunities they face?  This as the new London Market Board is due to begin a new term. We extend the debate about the London market scene that includes some of the most iconic markets in the UK.Megan Dean, Senior Project Officer, Planning and Regeneration, Greater London AuthorityMarkets and Planning for ChangeA private sector market company looks at the impact of the pandemic in terms of market management, operational changes and event planning. What are the options that may be available in an era of change for market history and tradition?Nick Rhodes, Chief Executive, Market PlaceMarkets and the Policy and Legal FrameworkTwo legal experts come together to look at the current market issues of the day. The agenda is wide and includes market law, public realm,  pedlars, street trading and pavement licences.Graham Wilson OBE, NABMA Legal and Policy ConsultantRoger Butterfield. Legal Consultant The Modern Market MangerHow is the role of the traditional manager changing? What is the interaction between place and market management? What is the skill set needed to deliver professional market operations? We ask the questions and look at how NABMA can further support market managers, teams and their professional development.Abdul Komor, Street Trading Service Manager, London Borough of Waltham ForestMarket SoapboxYour question, comment or issue.   David Preston (BA Hons)Chief ExecutiveThe National Association of British Market Authorities

Basecamp is a great way of interacting with members around the country as to how others deal with operational problems – but if you would like a more in-depth discussion about your local issues then NABMA offers its members two options via our experienced team of market manager Advisors. Option 1: A free of charge one-hour Zoom session with one of our experienced team of Advisors, followed by a brief summary email covering the items discussed.  Your membership fee includes for this option.Option 2: A day visit to your market by an Advisor, to be charged by NABMA to you at a £300 fee plus travel/subsistence/accommodation/VAT if necessary. This allows for a longer on-site discussion with yourself and any other colleagues and this is followed up by the Advisor sending you a short form report covering the issues discussed.Why not ring or email NABMA Support Sessions Manager Rob Nixon or our Member Services Consultant Chris New to have an initial chat and explain how we may be able to help and support you with any problems you may have? Rob: rob.nixon@outlook.com / 07471 479854Chris: chrisnew@nabma.com / 07890 843112 Yours sincerelyDavid PrestonChief Executive

Morning Everyone,I am thinking of Christmas already :(I am looking for a forestry that caters for real Christmas trees between 25ft and 40ft tall. Our regular supplier do not supply the larger trees now unfortunately, so we are a little stuck for our town of Devizes in Wiltshire.Does any other Market Manager have in their remit the arranging and sourcing of Christmas trees for their City / Town? Thank youMark HillTown Centre Manager

NABMA Market View – July 2022 EditionNABMA is pleased to announce the July edition of our newsletter, NABMA Market View.Click here to viewYours faithfully David PrestonChief ExecutiveNABMA

Hi all, looking for some advice (1st time here asking) We are looking at the possibility of holding a Christmas market in Beeston Nottingham. Can anyone advise where and how to start?

Enquiries have been received about the impact of the current Heat Wave on the opening of Markets. Given this is a unique situation with the first “Red Alert” there is no national policy on the issue. Many Markets will have weather policies but they probably do not cover extreme hot weather. We have not received any advice from government that businesses should close as a result of the current weather conditions and NABMA’s position is that it is matter for individual Markets and in most cases this will mean opening as normal particularly tomorrow. Of course NABMA would expect Markets to acknowledge the existence of the extreme hot weather and take simple steps such as having water accessible if required by traders and public and consider shortened opening hours. Sympathetic consideration should also be given to traders who might not attend the Market because of their concern about trading in extreme hot weather particularly where they have a medical condition. Yours sincerelyDavid PrestonNABMA Chief Executive

NABMA is pleased to launch its industry awards for 2022.  Once again we thank Blachere Illumination for their support and generous sponsorship. Keeping markets going during the pandemic and in the recovery period has been the toughest of challenges but markets and market trading have shown great resilience and flexibility in terms of management, operation and achievement. Our 2022 awards look to identify Market Manager, Market Team, Market Achievement and Young Market Champion of the Year. Attached is our flyer with brief details. Closing date for entries is 17 August. Awards will be presented at the NABMA AGM and Conference in September. Nominations are now open to info@nabma.com We are aware of some wonderful stories from the industry that deserve nominations. Let’s highlight the fantastic work that so many are delivering in our industry.

With less than five months until the new market is expected to open, Cheshire West and Chester Council can announce the second tranche of traders taking stalls.Eleven further stalls are now contracted or are under offer to trade, with five taken by existing Chester Market traders, and one by a business relocating from the Forum Shopping Centre.The line-up includes: a florist, bakery, vintage clothing, hand-crafted cosmetics, handmade stationery, grocery and a zero-waste refill store alongside three food and beverage traders serving fresh pasta, vegan and Mexican foods.All remaining stalls in the market are under offer and leases are expected to be concluded for all 39 stalls in the new market before it opens in late autumn. Construction work is almost complete, and the fit-out contractor will begin shortly, followed by each individual traders’ stall fit-outs during the summer.Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said: “This is a really exciting time for the new market, and I am especially pleased that we have confirmed new grocery traders and a bakery, which delivers on our vision to create a ‘modern traditional market’ for Chester.“I am equally delighted to welcome traders committed to a sustainable future, like the much-loved Just Footprints store which will move from the Forum and into the new market. There is also vintage clothing, vegan food and a planet-friendly stationery trader too. It’s also really important to remember that while the new market is completed, the current market is still open, and the remaining traders are still open for business and need our support.”The latest existing traders moving to the new market include:The first stall visitors will see when entering the new Market will be ‘Lise’ Florist and Flower Garden. Lisa Dean will offer a fabulous colourful display of seasonal cut flowers for every occasion. Her skilled team will be making up hand tied bouquets for immediate purchase or delivery, in addition to this, shrubs, perennials and seasonal plants will also feature on the stand. Lisa will also be transferring her established Purely Pots tropical houseplant stall and opening a new separate stall featuring desert plants, cacti, succulents and pots. Lisa said: “Being able to expand our existing business and offer a wider range of plants and pots to provide a one-stop-shop in the heart of our amazing city, along with a dedicated florist stall, which will be a stunning visual delight as you enter the market, will be an incredible opportunity.”Existing Chester Market trader, Vegan House will be transferring to the new Market, bringing their passion for pioneering vegan cuisine and proving how amazing plant-based food can be. With a background in street food markets and festival catering Sasha Alexander established his business four years ago and quickly perfected a growing menu including gourmet beef style burgers, classical hotdogs, loaded fries, Doner kebabs, F*sh and chips, chicken style kebabs alongside a variety of small bites, side dishes and healthy options. Sasha said: “Our entire menu is 100 per cent plant based and we carefully select our suppliers by working closely with other small independent businesses in the area to minimize the environmental impact; we believe our cuisine can help our customers learn about plant-based alternatives and the long-term benefits this can bring to both health and the environment. Our menu provides nutritionally balanced dishes for the health conscious, whilst also catering for those who are seeking a little treat and appealing to non-vegans alike.”Local illustrator Sophie Jackson will be selling her range of planet-friendly stationery using sustainably sourced materials, including greetings cards, gift wrap, stationery, artwork, tea towels, cushions and more. All her paper and card products are FSC certified, all cotton is organic and unbleached, packaging is recyclable or compostable, and everything is made in the UK, as locally sourced as possible. Sophie recently started trading at the existing market and said: “Being able to test out my range at the existing market has really helped give me the confidence and experience to move to the new market. My ethos is to create a place to buy beautiful greetings cards, stationery and home products that don’t cost the earth – eco-friendly never looked so good!”Lovers of vintage clothes will be catered for by Daily Wares, a lifestyle store focused on providing authentic Americana inspired vintage clothing, and their own brand designs who have just opened in the existing market. Their range will include classic vintage garments such as jeans, hoodies and t-shirts from trusted brands such as Carhartt, Dickies, Champion and more. Established by Joseph Brannigan with a background in fashion retail, previous pop-up shops and selling online, Joe said: “Every piece I sell is hand-picked, ensuring that the item is both of good quality, and fits with my brand seamlessly. Plus, sustainability is key for us at Daily Wares, and by keeping clothes in circulation and extending their shelf life we can reduce the negative environmental impact of disposable fast fashion.”Another passionate planet friendly stall will be opened by Just Footprints, who currently run the refill store opposite the current market entrance in the Forum shopping centre. They have pioneered the plastic free and zero waste concept and offer a wide range of food, toiletries, kitchen and household consumables that can be easily refilled with customer’s own containers and sustainable gifts. Established by Debbie Groom in 2018 to help eradicate plastic pollution and make everyone’s journey to sustainability easier and more enjoyable. Debbie said: “We believe that if people buy just one of our products rather than buying it in plastic somewhere else, it will make a huge difference; a zero-waste lifestyle isn’t one big, instant change, it’s more a series of small changes over time. It’s not easy and takes time and planning, but trust us, it’s worth it and we will be here to help.”New traders will include:Winston’s Cheshire Farm Shop will provide the grocery stall for the new market, providing a key element of the ‘modern traditional’ ethos, bringing the best local produce, locally crafted food and drink into the heart of the market. The business is spearheaded by Chef trio of Phil Bibby, Marta Staszewska and Jamie Thomas and was launched in 2018, focusing on locality, seasonality, sustainability and quality; Winston’s Cheshire Farm Shop hopes to encourage customers to consider where their food comes from and engage with local producers. Alongside fresh produce, their wide range of high-quality Winston’s Finest ready meals will also be available to buy, with ingredients sourced locally to their kitchen. Jamie said: “We are incredibly eager to open and champion the very best of our local producers. We want to create a permanent showcase in the new market, a compelling draw for residents and visitors, craving the real taste of Cheshire.”The Northgate project team are delighted to have secured an artisan bakery for the new Market. This will be provided by Born to Bake, a popular gourmet bakery established on the Wirral by Michael Kerr, who currently serves both trade and public customers across the north west as well as local Farmers’ Markets. Mike said: “We are thrilled to have been selected for the new Market and can’t wait to bring our exensive and delicious range of artisan loaves and baked goods, such as poppy seed, olive, donker, corn and sun-dried tomato breads to Chester.”Big Lola’s Taqueria is an exciting Mexican street food concept, named after a notorious jailed donkey in Mexico. They will be serving a menu inspired by the Mission District of San Francisco, including slow cooked beef brisket burritos, roast chicken quesadillas, halloumi and sweetcorn tacos and chocolate caramel churros as well as regular specials. With a dedicated following at their current Duke Street Market home, they have built a reputation as one of the go-to places for Mexican food in Liverpool. Oli Smith, a director of the business said: “We can’t wait for the market to open and are really looking forward to bringing the Big Lola’s experience to Chester Market and serving our Mexican street food in the city.”Alphy and Becs will be selling a range of handmade cosmetics, skincare, men’s grooming and fragrances, born from a simple concept to keep it simple and natural. They are a family run business established in 2011 by Alphonso Esposito and Rebecca Brierley from Northwich, a musician and an interior designer respectively. They take their inspiration from trips around the world, influenced by the smell of beautiful lands like Italy, Spain, France and further away like New Zealand and Australia. Alphonso said: “All our products are 100% handmade in small batches following ancient recipes and individually quality controlled to guarantee a great product for our customers and no animal testing is allowed. From the making process to packaging and labelling, no machinery is involved, just our hands and love.”To complement his Mercato Pizza Co. stall in the new Market, Rick Feery will also be opening a live fresh pasta demonstration kitchen called The Fresh Pasta Kitchen, which will offer pasta dishes to eat in the market alongside a deli style counter with a variety of pasta and sauces for customers to take home and cook themselves. Rick and his chefs will be making fresh pasta all day and will have a range of pasta hanging to dry ready for service. Rick said: “I want to create a pasta stall with as close to zero waste as possible, most of the dishes will be made using fresh ingredients cooked in the stall using locally sourced produce from other market traders and to utilise their skills and knowledge of produce to turn them into fantastic authentic Italian dishes.”More information on the new Market is available at https://newchester.market/