The NMTF works hard in the interests of all our members.

We lobby government through the increasingly influential All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group (APPMG), which was established back in 2001. We hold regular talks with other organisations involved in the industry. We are one of the longest running All-Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster.

The NMTF lobbies parliament to oppose legislation we believe would be detrimental to our members and the industry as a whole.

We will continue to fight to enhance the markets and events industry and preserve the livelihoods of all our members.

Above and beyond, the NMTF is a member of the Genesis Initiative, which was established in 1999, they lobby on behalf of all micro, small and medium businesses, it has 125 Trade Bodies like ourselves as members and therefore they are clearly a much larger lobbying platform for us.

In 2017, our NMTF Chief Executive Joe Harrison was asked to become a director on the Genesis Initiative Board of Directors. Which has now put markets at the front and centre of the work that the genesis does.

With the current government now in place following the 2024 general election, the Genesis Initiative manifesto was finalised. This document will be addressed to all parties at Westminster, reflecting the collective voice, concerns, and aspirations of the people and organisations it represents.

A key priority within the manifesto is a call for reform in the distribution of public funding. Specifically, it advocates for funding to be channelled directly to not-for-profit trade associations-such as the NMTF-rather than through profit-driven third-party intermediaries. The aim is to ensure that public investment delivers maximum impact, greater value for money, and tangible support for enterprise, trade, and economic growth across the UK.

Market Partnerships

Greater Manchester Markets Partnership

The Greater Manchester Markets Partnership (GMMP) brings together the region’s ten councils to work collaboratively in supporting and strengthening the thriving network of markets across Greater Manchester.

Click here to find out more