Request for Assistance

A valuable NABMA membership service is our request for assistance facility. Individual authorities or officers send in their question or concern to NABMA via letter, fax or email and this is then sent out to the NABMA membership in an email within a working day. Respondents are asked to reply to the person submitting the question at their direct contact number. Questions and help required can relate to any market related activity including operational, supply, policy, performance or simply sharing of good practice.

Feedback has indicated that the service is extremely well used. A NABMA member recently indicated that their request received 9 responses within 4 hours of distribution by NABMA.

To make your request simply email nabma@nabma.com and state your question and full contact details. This will then be sent to the NABMA membership. NABMA will be pleased if a summary of replies can be provided that can then be shared with others through this section of our website.

Below is a sample of some of the recently asked questions:

“We are considering removing the Market's on-site skip, requiring the traders to remove their own rubbish, and reducing the rents related to the savings we would make.

I would be interested in any comments or suggestions from other local council markets that have gone down this route or are considering doing so”.

 

“Here at Herefordshire Council we are currently in the early planning stages of moving our Retail Market. Its current location is set within the livestock Market, on the outskirts of the main retail centre across a busy dual carriageway. We are planning to move it to a location set in the main pedestrianised shopping area of Hereford. We are currently considering using 3x3m pop up gazebo style stalls that we would erect for the traders.

 

"We would like to hear from other members who may either implemented a similar Market move into a higher profile/footfall area or is currently operating such a retail market in a town/city centre:

• Specifically information in relation to footfall, vibrancy and diversity in the area.
• Any other positive or negative issues/experiences before, during and after a move or that currently exist would be appreciated.”

 

“I would like to get some feedback from Members on how Local Authority operated markets are responding to the strike action planned for 16th and 17th July. Our Market, Pontypool Indoor Market, has had to shut previously as Market superintendents have been on strike. I wonder if any Local Authority Market operators have been able to keep their Markets open and allow traders to continue running their businesses. If so, could they advise on how this has been achieved?”

 

“We in Bedford have recently launched a Home and Garden market. It is well attended at the moment particularly with plants and flower stalls, but we are aware that these are very seasonal and will finish trading towards the end of September.

 

"We would like to know if any other member runs a similar market and if so how do they sustain the market during the winter months or do they in fact run it as a limited period market?”

 

“I would be very grateful if NABMA members could be asked to contact me with information about what arrangements they have for putting up and taking down their outdoor markets e.g. the costs involved, time taken, and whether they use council staff or an external contractor to put up and take down the stalls. I'd also be interested to find out what cleansing arrangements they have.”

 

“Could you contact all Wholesale Market Operators and ask what the current charges are for the following:-

• Office Space
• Warehouse Space
• Selling Space
• Traders Service Charge for 2007/08”

 

“An enquiry has been received from Wrexham Council asking for information from other NABMA members about retaining fees.  Wrexham have given information about their current arrangements under which they require the payment of half rent to secure a particular pitch during a period of absence."