Page 44 - MarketTimesJune2015
P. 44

  NMTF AGM REPORT
Market Times • June 2015
 Traders speak out on Mission for Markets
MARKET traders had their say on the issues affecting their markets and livelihoods when the Mission for Markets roadshow came to the AGM.
Mission for Markets is a joint initiative by the NMTF and the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).
There have already been a series of roadshows up and down the country introducing the campaign, which aims to carry out a health check on the markets industry, highlighting good practice and sharing resources.
To get a forensic insight into the state of the industry, market traders are being invited to take part in a Mission for Markets survey that can be found at www.mission4markets.uk.
The campaign focuses on six big issues: the next generation of market traders; the new skills traders need; the new skills market managers need; structural change in local government; local, national and European legislation; and markets at the centre of the High Street.
On new market traders, NMTF field support officer Brendan Dyson said hot food and street food, along with craft traders, were joining markets.
Diane Peacock (Stockport) said new traders needed to be well prepared for market trading — investing £50 in stock and sitting behind a stall would not work.
Discussing the new skills traders need, Executive Board Member Darren Old (Bury St Edmunds) said social media was increasingly
important and street food traders excelled at it.
Mike Riley (Coventry) said it was traders’ personal service that made markets special.
On the new skills needed by market managers, Executive Board member John O’Mara (Stockport) said the role of market managers was key to improving their markets.
Birmingham’s Market Manager Amanda Prosser-Davies said: “Market managers need to be mindful that traders are their customers — that needs to be the mindset. I tell my colleagues that it is the market traders who pay our wages.”
Introducing the topic of structural change in local government, NABMA representative John Perriton said local authorities were going through a difficult time with budget cuts, but as far as market managers were concerned, there were a lot of square pegs in round holes.
On legislation, John said business rates had become a serious issue for many markets, and highway authorities could be critical to markets.
On the issue of markets in the high street, Darren Old said, as branch chairman at Bury St Edmunds, he was invited to all stakeholder meetings. Footfall was excellent and people say they love their market.
John O’Mara said those markets that were in the centre of their high street were the ones that did well.
Complete the survey and win free membership — see page 5.
Chris Savage, NMTF Projects Manager
  NMTF plans to become limited company
THE NMTF is looking into the possibility of incorporation to ensure that it better complies with changes made by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The NMTF’s Chief Executive Joe Harrison explained that as a not- for-profit mutual trade association, the NMTF was struggling to comply with changes made by the FCA relating to the investment of its capital.
Nothing would change for NMTF members, he said. A steering group was meeting regularly to look into the options and the aim was to bring a proposal to the 2016 AGM, he said.
John Perriton, NABMA representative
Brendan Dyson, NMTF Field Support Officer
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