A new advice
leaflet for market traders offers stall owners free business
‘health checks’ to help them beat economic challenges and
increased competition, Markets Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.
The leaflet: ‘Growing Markets: Championing the Market Stall’,
will be distributed widely across the country to 35,000 market
traders and managers to throw a spotlight on all the free
Government support available to make sure local markets succeed in
the face of 21st century challenges.
Ms Winterton, who was appointed the Government’s Champion for
Markets last year, launched the leaflet in Mansfield with
Mansfield MP Alan Meale, where she met the Town Centre Services
Manager Jan Clarke-Humphries and local traders to listen to their
concerns. Mansfield has had a market charter since 1227.
Markets across the country like Mansfield are struggling in the
face of growth from out of town supermarkets, discount stores,
internet shopping and the current economic climate.
Ms Winterton advised that more traders needed to take advantage
the support available. She urged them to contact Business Link to
get a free business health check, advice on cutting costs or
getting loans, and help form Jobcentre Plus to avoid job losses,
as well as tax deferrals.
Mansfield has used Government funding (the Local Enterprise
Growth Initiative (LEGI) to set up a monthly community market in
Woodhouse. It lets local people trade their own produce and goods
including cards, gifts, jams, chutneys, cheese, seasonal
vegetables, home-ware, jewellery and locally made honey.
Rosie Winterton said:
“Markets like Mansfield and all across the country have been hit
by the rise in out of town supermarkets, discount stores, internet
shopping and a difficult economy. But I am committed to working
with traders and councils to meet these challenges and make sure
the market stall survives.
“At their best markets can
draw shoppers to the area bringing a town centre to life, give
farmers an outlet for their produce and provide a fantastic
testing ground for entrepreneurs. Big names like Marks and
Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons and JJB Sports all started out as a
market stall. I know from trips to my own Doncaster market and
here in Mansfield how enjoyable the bustle of a market is – it is
why markets have been part of our heritage for over a thousand
years.
“Today I am launching a new business leaflet
specifically for markets so traders everywhere can find out about
the support Government is giving them from free business health
checks, to tax deferrals and start-up funding. It is crucial that
put we markets back in the spotlight so they see a renaissance in
this country.”
A national traditional market champions group, set up by Ms
Winterton last year, agreed that more markets needed to be made
aware of the range of Government support for small businesses and
entrepreneurs through a leaflet campaign.
A spokesperson for the Retail Markets Alliance Joe Harrison said:
“We’re pleased that the Government has produced a leaflet that
points directly to where market traders can get support during
this time of economic recovery.
“We feel that the value of retail markets and what they have to
offer to shoppers and both the local and national economies is
finally being recognised, and this extra help for traders is much appreciated.”
Alan Meale MP added:
“I am delighted that Rosie has been able to take time out of her
busy schedule to visit Mansfield. This has given locals, stall
holders, local businesses, the authority and service providers a
chance to meet the Minister and put to her the problems faced in
this area.”
The leaflet also highlights a helpful case study, the innovative
‘How Bizaar’ project at Leeds’ historic Kirkgate Market which
allows new businesses or traders to test products, services and
ideas at a market stall rent-free for 12 weeks with the backing of
LEGI money.
Other markets using this fund include Doncaster, where funding
also provides test trading opportunities rent free for 12 weeks,
Coventry, and Bradford. Traders in every eligible area are urged
to set up similar projects.
Regional Development Agencies and the Department of Business
Innovation and Skills can also provide useful advice on starting,
running and growing a business including securing bank loans
through the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.
Notes to editor
1. Business Link is delivered via three channels - a network of
business advisors, a national help-line (0845 6009006) and an
online portal (www.businesslink.gov.uk)
Business Link is able to offer businesses a free 'Health
Check', the purpose of which is to help businesses to
succeed and grow. Businesses reviewed by a professional adviser
with a view to countering problems, identifying opportunities and
accessing any Government support which might be available. Since
October 2008, over 117,000 businesses have taken advantage of a
Health Check.
2. According to the Retail Markets Alliance (RMA) there
are:
* 1124 traditional retail markets
* 605 farmers’
markets
* 26 wholesale markets
* Over 45,700 retail
traders
* An estimated 95,000 people directly employed on
retail markets
* 1,000 wholesale businesses
* An estimated
10,000 people directly employed on wholesale markets
* Total
retail market turnover of over £3.5 billion a year
* Wholesale
market turnover of £4.1 billion a year.
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