NABMA was delighted to welcome Murad Qureshi of the London Assembly to the Blackpool NABMA Conference to make a presentation on the London Market scene and the work that is being done as part of the 2012 Olympics and Paraplegic Games.



Murad outlined some of the issues that are currently affecting London Markets and expressed a willingness to work with NABMA to help bring together a forum for market issues within the capital.



It is vitally important that NABMA has a voice in London and currently there are only a small number of London Boroughs in membership of NABMA. During Conference representatives from Hackney Council, supported the move for greater NABMA involvement in the London scene, suggesting that there should be some recognition of the London position within NABMA’s management structure.



While acknowledging that the operation of street markets in London is governed by different legislation to that which operates in the rest of the country, it is vitally important that NABMA has meaningful engagement with London local authorities and the London Assembly.



Following conference, Graham Wilson, NABMA’s Chief Executive, has written to Murad asking if a meeting can be arranged to discuss how NABMA and the London Assembly might co-operate to our mutual benefit. In particular, a proposal has been put forward that a London Markets event, jointly promoted by the London Assembly and NABMA, might be held in 2008 with the intention of sharing ideas and providing a forum for future discussions on market issues.



NABMA Chief Executive Graham Wilson confirmed that the presentation by Murad had stimulated great thought and debate. “Murad has helped in building a bridge for NABMA to reach out into the London market scene. We have members and friends already within London but there is huge potential in the months ahead to look for wider partnerships and mutual gains”.