The Market Shoppers National Charter has been introduced to assure customers about the standards they should expect from their market.
In essence it lays down the rights they have under the Consumer Protection Act, and advises on how to seek redress should things go wrong.
It is a common misconception among shoppers that when they buy from a market they "take a chance", when in fact they have exactly the same protection as they would if they were shopping at a high street store or supermarket.
All known market operators are being encouraged to sign up to the charter, which has the support of the National Market Traders' Federation, the National Association of British Market Authorities, the Institute of Market Officers and the Association of Private Market Operators.
