Joining Us
Applications are invited from any local authority currently responsible for operating markets within its area. As the biggest and most influential markets organisation in the country, we can offer a range of services to enhance current market provision. Detailed below are some very good reasons why NABMA membership represents great value for money:
NABMA has represented the interests of local authorities for over 80 years.
It is vitally important that markets have a national voice and NABMA fulfils this requirement by representing its members at national level. We do this in a variety of ways, particularly through the work undertaken with the Retail Markets Alliance and the All Party Parliamentary Markets Group.
NABMA provides advice
NABMA has the resources to provide practical and specialist advice on all aspects of markets.
NABMA provides research and advisors
We can offer the best advice on market management and operation through our team of advisors and networking opportunities. We can also offer the best available legal advice on market law and trading matters. We have a range of guidance and policy documents that are based on best practice in the market industry. We have up-to-date research information on market trends and opportunities.
NABMA networking opportunities
NABMA offers unrivalled networking opportunities through its conferences, seminars and various forums. All issues relevant to markets are covered and members have a chance to see other markets and learn how new initiatives are being pursued.
NABMA provides training
NABMA provides training opportunities for Market Officers. Throughout the year a range of training courses for all levels of market staff are held in different parts of the country, together with an annual residential course which covers a range of market topics. NABMA is also working to secure an accreditation in market management that will be recognised throughout local government.
NABMA website and communication
NABMA’s website has received critical acclaim and it provides an important communication link with our members and anyone interested in market matters. In addition to providing the main voice of NABMA, our website also enables members to see what is happening in other markets and also gives members the opportunity of promoting their own events and/or advertising other matters relevant to their markets, including vacant posts.
NABMA promotes benchmarking between members
It is recognised that performance is an important part of local authority work and NABMA has established a benchmarking club to enable our members to compare their respective performance in key areas.
NABMA works closely with other organisations that have a keen interest in markets.
We have led the way in setting up the Retail Markets Alliance. Then leave that as it is and then NABMA offers members help with consultancy and scrutiny of markets. The sentence where a more detailed consultancy requirement is needed, NABMA has its own professional consultancy service available. NABMA Consultancy Services can offer advice on all aspects of markets management.
Further details can be found elsewhere on the website.
NABMA has direct access to Government, particularly through the All Party Parliamentary Group on Markets.
There has been an All Party Parliamentary Group on markets for some years and NABMA is grateful to the Parliamentarians, from both Houses, who support the work of this Group. In the last 18 months there has been increased recognition by the Government of the markets industry particularly through the House of Commons, Communities, and Local Government Committee’s Report “Market Failure? – Can the Traditional Market Survive?” The recommendations from that Committee Report are now being fully implemented and NABMA is working hard with different Government departments, led by CLG, to raise the profile and standards of the markets industry.
NABMA offers members help with consultancy and scrutiny of markets.
NABMA has established a help check for all its members and there are also facilities for any member to ask for a free half-day consultancy on any aspect of the management or operation of its markets. If more detailed work is required then NABMA Consultancy Services provides the ideal answer. This recently established professional consultancy service has already won many plaudits for the quality of this work and is available to all NABMA members and non members. Details about NABMA Consultancy Services can be found elsewhere on this website.
NABMA has established strong links in Europe.
It is important that we have a better understanding of European legislation and insight into the wider market scene and NABMA is leading the work on these issues through the European Retail Group which has been established as part of the World Union of Wholesale Markets.
NABMA undertakes research on markets.
A vital part of the case for markets is made out by the research work that is undertaken on various aspects of the markets industry. In the last 5 years NABMA has supported the “Roads” Report, Markets 21, a comprehensive assessment of retail and wholesale markets, and Julie Smith’s PHD study.
