Clitheroe market has signed up to a campaign to stamp out sales of fake goods. The Real Deal sees market traders, Police, Trading Standards and Ribble Valley Borough Council unite to combat counterfeits. The authorities make the point that fake goods damage legitimate businesses and see dangerous criminals profit from the proceeds.
The market is the first in Ribble Valley to display the Real Deal brand – which tells consumers that traders have signed up to a code of practice to ‘self-police’ the market and take action if they spot anything suspicious.
County Councillor Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Clitheroe market is a great place for shoppers to visit and provides an environment for legitimate local businesses to trade successfully. The Real Deal campaign will make sure it stays that way.
“The traders themselves are best placed to know what’s going on in their own market – any business caught selling fakes damages the reputation and success of the whole market and it’s in everyone’s interest to be vigilant.”
At the heart of the Real Deal campaign is a national markets’ charter which sets out key principles for market operators, Trading Standards, industry and trademark representatives to sign up to and abide by.
By signing the charter, organisations show their commitment to safe and fair trading at their local market. James Russell, environmental health manager for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “As the first in Ribble Valley to sign up, Clitheroe market is pioneering the Real Deal initiative – as more and more markets join it will become a brand that people know and trust.
“We want everyone to have complete confidence that when they buy local here at Clitheroe market they are buying quality and will get what they’ve paid for.
“As well as helping prevent crime, it will help to encourage trade in the town centre and support the wider aims of our economic development strategy.”
Police Community Beat Manager PC Catherine Towler added: “We hope that by working together on this initiative we will help to protect customers and put a stop to unscrupulous traders.”
You can report counterfeiting or other illegal activity anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you are concerned about sale of illegal goods – contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Help Line on 08454 040506 or visit www.directgov.co.uk/consumer. For more information, go to www.realdealmarkets.co.uk.
Others recently signed up to the Real Deal are St George’s Market in Northern Ireland; Reading; Salisbury; and Northampton.
