Initiative Launched to Support Local Markets & Clampdown on Sale of Fake Goods

A new initiative aiming to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods in markets across North Wales has been launched.

In the first joint-initiative of its kind in the UK, six neighbouring local authorities across North Wales have joined forces to support the regions local markets and keep them fake-free by simultaneously introducing the Real Deal charter at 16 markets.

The project has been launched now to enable Real Deal market procedures and advice for traders to be in place in the run-up to the busy Christmas shopping season.

In Wrexham the initiative was launched yesterday morning at the Butcher’s Market.

Cllr David Kelly, Lead Member for Place – Planning and Public Protection said: “We are fortunate in North Wales to have a large number of excellent markets, of all shapes and sizes, that bring life to our local towns and villages. The response from the region’s market operators to the Real Deal charter has been unanimously supportive.

“Well-run markets, offering genuine bargains, are great for shoppers, local traders and the wider community and anything that helps to preserve that, by keeping out fake-goods-sellers, is hugely welcomed by the whole market community.”

The project has been co-ordinated by Trading Standards Officers from the six North Wales authorities and has been launched now to enable Real Deal market procedures and advice for traders to be in place in the run-up to the busy Christmas shopping season.

Kevin Jones Chair of the North Wales heads of Trading Standards Group comments: “Like all markets across the UK, those in North Wales can be susceptible, at any time, to infiltration by sellers of counterfeit goods and other illicit products.

“This is particularly the case in the pre-Christmas shopping period when shoppers are searching for bargains and can be duped into buying fake goods from unscrupulous sellers. The Real Deal charter sets out clear, practical procedures for market operators to help them to stay fake-free.

Patricia Lennon, Campaign Director of the Real Deal, added: “This partnership approach by the six local authorities in North Wales is a real show of force against the criminals who are behind the trade in fake goods. By introducing the Real Deal Charter and displaying the logo, markets and trading standards services across North Wales are sending a strong ‘keep out’ message to the counterfeiting con-men who do not care about ripping off consumers, selling unsafe products or damaging local businesses.

Information on the Real Deal Charter, and a list of all markets that have signed up its fake-free ethos, can be found at www.realdealmarkets.co.uk