Trading standards and Cotswold Markets back ‘Real Deal’ scheme to protect consumers

A national campaign to prevent shoppers from being conned into

buying fake designer goods and other illicit items is being backed

by Gloucestershire County Council’s trading standards department

and Cotswold Markets.

They have signed up to the Real Deal scheme to promote legal sellers at Moreton-in-

Marsh Market, run by Cotswold Markets. The campaign is a national initiative to

ensure markets are run legally and have a working relationship with trading

standards.

Patricia Lennon, national manager of the Real Deal campaign, said: “We are

delighted to welcome Moreton Market into the Real Deal. By signing the Charter and

displaying the Real Deal logo, they are joining with hundreds of markets across the

country in saying ‘no’ to counterfeits and rogue traders.”

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for trading standards at Gloucestershire County

Council, said: "It is important to ensure legitimate traders are protected and those who

feel they can make easy money are deterred at the earliest stage.

“Shoppers want to know that they will be buying genuine items so I’m pleased this

partnership working through the Real Deal scheme will offer that reassurance.”

Dave Joynes, managing director of Cotswold Markets, said: “This is a great initiative

that will see us working together with trading standards to protect consumers and

local businesses from the harm caused by the trade in counterfeit goods.

“We’re really proud of our market’s reputation and want to reassure residents, visitors

and businesses that we’re committed to maintaining a safe and fair environment in

which to shop and trade.”

It comes after Cirencester Market, jointly run by Cirencester Town Council and

Cotswold Markets, signed up to the Charter in July last year.

Since its launch in 2009, more than 500 markets across the UK have made a

commitment to fake-free trading by signing the voluntary Real Deal Charter with their

local trading standards.

If you have any concerns about items sold at Moreton-in-Marsh Market please

contact Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.

For more information on the scheme visit: www.realdealmarkets.co.uk