www.findamarket.net – *** NEWS ***

The European Union is set to confirm it has abandoned what became one of its most unpopular policies among many people in Britain.

It is proposing to allow the UK to continue using pounds, miles and pints as units of measurement indefinitely. The European Commission will announce later it is leaving all future decisions to the British government.

The decision is a victory for supporters of the ancient imperial system, the so-called “metric martyrs”.

Beer and milk

The UK had been due to set a date for phasing out all its imperial measurements within three years.

This would have meant setting a deadline for ending the traditional delivery of pints of milk – and the sale of pints of beer in Britain’s pubs.

Every one of Britain’s road signs would have had to be changed from miles to kilometres – a move which opponents warned would be both expensive and confusing.

But it was the move, begun in 2000, to make Britain’s market traders sell their produce in kilograms rather than pounds and ounces which caused outrage among traditionalists. Sunderland grocer Steve Thorburn inspired the so-called Metric Martyr movement with his defiance of the order to abandon the imperial measurements.

In 2001 his scales were confiscated and he earned a criminal conviction for selling a pound of bananas from his market stall. He died unexpectedly from a heart attack three years ago – but it appears the campaign he founded has finally succeeded.

In future market traders will be allowed to show both metric and imperial prices for their goods.

Under the plans which have now been scrapped, even displaying the price of fruit and vegetables in pounds and ounces would have been grounds for a criminal prosecution.

The decision to back down was made by the European Commission’s industry commissioner Gunter Verheugen.

His role includes trying to improve the EU’s reputation in member states – and in an interview with the BBC, he admitted the EU had been making itself unpopular on an issue that didn’t really matter.

“I organised a huge consultation, and the result was that industry told us there was no problem with the existing system.

“I want to bring to an end a bitter, bitter battle that has lasted for decades and which in my view is completely pointless. We’re bringing this battle to an end.”

Britain first mooted plans to convert to an all-metric system in 1965.

That led to generations of schoolchildren being promised that they would be the last ones who would have to learn two different systems.

It was a real cracking Yorkshire Day on Wednesday 1 August in Dewsbury, as the best Market in the Country 2007, celebrated its county?s annual day.

The atmosphere was set as local musical performers including a Hurdy Gurdy and traditional Yorkshire dances filled the market and the town centre.

In the centre of the market, children?s craft workshops saw local children spending countless hours painting, drawing and describing what makes Dewsbury their favourite place in Yorkshire. The pieces of work will be judged on Sunday 26 August during the Dewsbury on Sea event, and the creator of the winning piece will be invited to help switch on the Christmas Lights in Dewsbury. And it?s not too late to enter. Local children can still submit drawings, poems, collages, essays, in fact anything they wish to create which represents to them the best things in Dewsbury. Entries can be submitted to the Market Office in Dewsbury until Saturday 25 August.

Also at the craft workshops, children took part in painting wooden fishes and jellyfish which will be hung on the fabulous Dewsbury Pier during the Dewsbury on Sea event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August.

At 12 noon on 1 August, in the heart of Dewsbury Market, Vic Watson the Kirklees Markets Crier, cried the Pledge of Allegiance to Yorkshire. With the crowds all gathered around, Vic invited local people to pledge their allegiance with more than 100 people stepped up to pledge their allegiance, receiving certificates for being true Yorkshire tykes, white roses and a stick of good old Dewsbury on Sea rock.

Traders in the market really kept the spirit of Yorkshire Day alive in the market, with many joining in and dressing up for the occasion. Visitors could see stalls decorated with Yorkshire Rhubarb, Yorkshire Roses and in some cases Yorkshire Puddings!

Of course, being a real traditional Yorkshire Market, Dewsbury already boasted the very best of Yorkshire fayre, and visitors to the market certainly enjoyed a real Yorkshire welcome.

Cllr Ken Sims, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said ?Dewsbury Market was the perfect venue to host the celebrations for Yorkshire Day in Kirklees. Holding the title of the best market in the country is something that we are all proud of, and reflects the dedication of Kirklees Council and its market traders to keeping this the busiest and largest open market in Yorkshire. We are now looking forward as the markets team delivers a programme of events right through to Christmas which will culminate in the re-launch of the fully refurbished Market Hall in Dewsbury.?

The next town centre event is Dewsbury on Sea, taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August. Twelve tonnes of sand will be used to create a real beach on Foundry Street at the side of the market. Buckets & Spades a plenty are provided for children to play for free all day in the sand. Punch & Judy, children?s rides, caricature artists, living statues, face painting, sticks of rock, crazy golf and much more as we enjoy our bank holiday weekend in style at Yorkshire?s largest and the UK?s best open market!

Two company directors running a Sunday market that made ?1 million in six months have been found guilty of money laundering and allowing illegal sales.

Sally Ward and Nicholas Hobday who run Wendy Fair Markets “turned a blind eye” to stall holders selling fake goods at Bovingdon Market at Hemel Hempstead.

Stall holders Chris Constantine and Louise Taylor were also convicted at St Albans Crown Court of copyright abuse.

They will all be sentenced on 7 September.

Prosecutor David Groome said Wendy Fair Markets events on a disused airfield at Bovingdon had developed a reputation for selling counterfeit goods, particularly films, music, clothing and computer games.

“Wendy Fair Markets and its directors permitted this trade to go on and turned a blind eye to it,” he said.

Money laundering

“It is estimated as many as 20% of the stalls were selling counterfeit goods.”

Wendy Fair Markets and its directors Ward, 44, of Maple Cross, and Hobday , 46, of Blisworth, Northants, were convicted of money laundering and allowing the sale of illegal DVDs, CDs and counterfeit clothing.

The markets were said to have netted the firm ?1m between May and November 2005.

Stall holders Taylor, 31, and her partner Constantine, 49, of Islington, London, were convicted of money laundering and copyright infringement.

Constantine, who defended himself, claimed it was legal to buy counterfeit goods.

He said the Federation Against Copyright Theft, the British Phonographic Industry and Hertfordshire County Council, who brought the case, should “get a job and earn their money like the rest of us”.

Taylor also represented herself and said she was “very, very scared” when arrested and taken to the police station.

David Scutt, for Ward, said there was no evidence that she knew stalls were openly selling counterfeit goods.

For Hobday, David Harounoff said his client had said: “If we find someone we know doing counterfeit goods we chuck them off.”

The second of three Farmers’ Markets is coming to Cosham, Hampshire this Saturday (28 July) from 10am to 2pm, which is being held in the precinct shopping area and south of the precinct, along the High Street.

Regular and new stallholders will be showcasing their goods at the second of three farmers’ markets to be held in Cosham this year, where shoppers can be assured of buying top quality meat, succulent sausages, free range eggs, fresh seasonal vegetables, delicious Hampshire honey, jams and chutneys and freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes.

At a Hampshire Farmers’ Market all produce sold must have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked or processed within Hampshire – or ten miles of the border.
The producer, or someone directly involved with the production, must sell the produce themselves and no bought in produce is allowed.

Jane Hurdley, Head of Regeneration and Business said: “The new markets in Cosham are attracting new more people to visit the area and sample the products on sale. We hope they go from strength to strength and become a fixture next year.”

A third market is due to take place on Saturday 29 September from 10am to 2pm.

Marche de France, a specialist French market operator, will be setting up stalls at Bideford Quay on Sunday July 29th.

More than 16 stalls selling various food, drink, crafts and other lines will help create an authentic French atmosphere and ensure locals and visitors find something of interest!

Marche de France is a friendly team of genuine French traders from Normandy and will be offering, among other things, cheeses, fresh baguettes, sausages, wines and pastries.

The market always proves popular with locals and visitors alike . Opening hours are 9.30am – 4.30pm

See more about Marche de France here.

How have markets in London changed over the past ten years? What?s good about them? What problems do they face?

Markets have been part of London life for hundreds of years and bring economic, health and social benefits to the community. However, markets are having to adapt to a number of challenges, including competition from supermarkets, illegal traders, and problems with parking and transport.

The Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee is investigating the future for markets in the capital. It will identify the number of markets operating in London, and the changes in the numbers and types of markets over the last ten years in order to assess what can be done to preserve their future.

As part of the investigation, independent research will be commissioned to provide in-depth analysis of markets in the capital. The Committee will also gather evidence from key stakeholders including market traders and customers, London boroughs, the London Development Agency and the Mayor?s office.

The Committee expects to complete its investigation early next year.

Your say

If you would like to contribute your views on the capital’s markets, please e-mail markets@london.gov.uk.

If you want further information about this investigation, please email Laura Warren at laura.warren@london.gov.uk.

Visitors to Dartford?s Saturday market were treated on 7 July as the Making Markets Matter roadshow was in town.

As well as picking up a bargain from the range of stalls at Saturday?s market including fruit and veg, clothes or plants, the roadshow was on hand to offer fun and games for all the family including face painting, a shopping basket challenge and goody bags.

Councillor Patsy Thurlow, portfolio holder for markets, believes it made for a great day out.

?The Saturday and Thursday markets are always very popular and the roadshow will really add to the fun of the markets. It?s also a great opportunity for those aren?t familiar with the Saturday market to take a look at all the goods on offer as well as making a day of it.?

Dartford has a long tradition of hosting markets and holds traditional weekly markets on Thursdays and Saturdays with a number of speciality markets also taking place throughout the year. Both of the weekly markets offer a whole host of stalls including, fruit and veg, meat, jewellery, clothes, garden furniture and CDs and Games.

The Making Markets Matter roadshows, run by the National Market Traders Federation was in Dartford High Street, at One Bell Corner between 10am and 6pm on Saturday 7 July.

Competitions took place throughout the day including a shopping basket challenge and a five a day fruit hunt. Face painting, music and mascots also entertained the shoppers.

In attendance was the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ian Armitt

As part of Rotherham Markets 800year Market Charter celebrations which will run from the 3rd August to the 11th August they are holding an Asian Style Market on Monday the 6th August in Rotherham Town Centre.

This should be a great event and celebration and any trader wishing to join in is asked to contact the organiser now!

To find out more please contact:

Peter Sanderson
Assistant General Markets Manager
Environment and Development Services
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Tel:01709 336958
Fax:01709 839724

Email: peter.sanderson@rotherham.gov.uk

FLEETWOOD’S famous traditional market had a VIP visitor when MP Joan Humble took a browse round the stalls and is pictured above with traders and local NMTF officers .

But Mrs Humble, the Member for Fleetwood and Blackpool North, wasn’t just on the look out for bargains.

She is a member of the All Party Markets Group of MPs which meets in the Palace of Westminster.

Mrs Humble said: ” Fleetwood Market is a fantastic place and it’s famous all over the north west.”

To help raise the profile of the market world – the Markets Group at Westminster encouraged their colleagues to go and visit a market in their constituency.

Fleetwood Market belongs to Wyre Borough Council and Estates Manager Neil Willitts showed Mrs Humble round.

Mrs Humble explained: ” The market industry is an important part of the economy. The All Party Group want to encourage the growth of markets and our message is that markets are for all ages – all ages to work in them and all ages to visit them and find something of interest to buy at the right price.”

Joan Humble added: ” Retail tourism is very important now – spending leisure time at shopping locations. I’d recommend anyone to take a look at Fleetwood Market. The atmosphere is great.”

And Neil Willitts added: ” Fleetwood’s Traditional Market is a very important part of Wyre Council’s operations. It is a tourist attraction and a facility for local people and the council has invested money in facilities there to improve the experience for customers.?

Yvette Cooper, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, with responsibility for planning in town centre regeneration, at the Department of Communities and Local Government, launched a highly successful reception of the All Party Parliamentary Markets Group at Westminster at the start of Markets Week. The Minister of State is pictured with Krys Zasada, Manchester and Malcolm Veigas, Bradford the authors of the Policy Framework document for Markets prepared on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Markets Group.

Following a welcome by Ann Coffey MP for Stockport, Secretary of the Group, who highlighted the importance, played by markets in general town centre regeneration and other mainstream policies, Yvette Cooper spoke about the importance of markets to town centres.

The Minister stressed ?The number of MPs here from all parties is testament to the fact that we all know markets are very much a part of our own communities, and that they play a hugely important role in our towns, in the life of the town and the identity of towns as well.?

Many of our markets, like Ann?s, go back for centuries and they have been at the heart of towns and local communities for generations and generations, and whilst it is true that there is always competition and changing lifestyles, and supermarket shopping, in the end so many people like to go to the market. They like the impact it has on a local town, they like the vibrancy, the energy, the life they create for a local town.

We know many places where when it is not a market day the town feels strangely empty, because the market is such a part of it.

Towns and cities are using their markets as part of their town centre regeneration. We have seen big changes in the life of town and city centres over the last 10 years, with more investment going back into centres after the planning changes that made it much harder to do the damaging out of town developments.

We have seen that life come back in, we have seen that investment go back in, and very often markets are at the heart of that new investment. Where they aren?t is often where they have the greatest rows about what the town centre plans should be, because sometimes where the market is not put at the heart of the development plans it means you are not getting it right, you need to make sure you work with the local community, the market traders and with local residents in order that you are not only building on the history but also on what customers want for the future.

We are also seeing markets re-inventing themselves. The fact that we have now have so many farmers markets covering so many areas, actually working with local farmers, with local agriculture to bring forward healthy, locally grown food and to celebrate that, and the fact that there is so much growing demand for that now, partly because of the desire for healthy eating, partly because of the desire to support sustainable development and locally grown produce, but also simply to get good quality produce there, on the shelves for people to buy.

So I know DEFRA is very keen to support farmers markets too, but also we are from our department in terms of the way markets support community life.

They play a critically important role and I would just like to you all much luck with the work you are doing to sustain local markets in every corner of the country.?