Congratulations to Tony & the team from Manchester Markets who won the Team Award for outstanding commitment and dedication to the Real Deal Charter from 2009 till the present day. Tony Sproston was presented with the award in London on 13 September.
· Manchester Markets identified some serious issues in 2008 – illicit traders were selling counterfeit and dangerous goods on Council and privately operated markets within the city.
· A multi agency focus group was formed with Trading Standards, GMP and other agencies. Action was taken which included multi agency raids on privately operated markets. Several Council traders lost their licences to trade in Manchester.
· Manchester Markets were the first local authority to sign up to the National Real Deal Charter in October 2009. The majority of UK local authority markets have since signed up to the Charter.
· The multi agency approach continued and Manchester Markets worked closely with national organisations including the Federation Against Copyright Theft and the British Recording Music Industry. In 2013 Manchester Markets received an award from FACT, in recognition of exemplary standards in tackling Intellectual Property Crime.
· In 2011, 5 criminal gangs were prosecuted. These were the major suppliers of counterfeit goods to market traders throughout the city.
· Baroness Wilkinson reported to the Deputy Prime Minister that the work done in Manchester was a beacon of best practice.
· The work has also been recognised by Warner Brothers. In 2010 where the Manchester story was told at their AGM in London.
The work continues:
· Manchester Markets recently banned Android/Kodi boxes from sale on all markets.
· Manchester Markets and Trading Standards recently carried out unannounced visits to Longsight and Gorton Markets. No counterfeit items were found.
· Market Managers regularly inspect their markets for counterfeit goods and will continue to be trained by Trading Standards regarding current counterfeit trends.