Stallholders in Kingston’s Ancient Market are signing up to a national scheme to promote fair and transparent trading. The ‘Real Deal’ charter helps to ensure sellers operate fairly and minimises the risk of fake goods or other unfair or illegal trading practices, protecting consumers and helping traders to meet their responsibilities.
By signing up to the code of conduct stallholders agree to work with Kingston Council trading standards and Kingstonfirst, the company which manages Kingston town centre and the Ancient Market, to increase consumer confidence in the market. The code ensures that sellers clearly display the price and metric weight of produce and gives advice on good trading practice.
Councillor David Glasspool, Kingston Council Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said:
“The market is an important asset at the heart of our community. This charter reassures the public and honest traders that Kingston’s Ancient Market is a safe, legal place to go shopping and do business. “
“The council, traders and operators are determined in their efforts to work together and encourage this market to thrive and be ever more successful, and attract an ever growing number of visitors. This charter is just a small step in our vision to help this prosperous market to flourish for generations to come.”
Alan Ottey, Markets and Street Activities Manager at Kingstonfirst, said:
“Kingston Markets are delighted to sign up to a national initiative that brings confidence that the customer is buying the real thing. The market is a community and we want to ensure the best for our customers.”
Trader Tony Goshawk, who runs Tony’s fruit and vegetable stall in the market, said:
“The Real Deal helps to reinforce consumer confidence in our market.”
For more information about the Real Deal go to www.realdealmarkets.co.uk.