As members are aware it is important to have staff trained in the appropriate areas of Management in order to ensure that the service provides value for money to all who are involved in Markets, be they traders, other Council Departments or the ratepayers of the area where the Market is based.

The aim of NABMA is to provide the training for Officers, to keep them up to date with legislation and best practice techniques and at the same time ensure that the profile of the Market industry remains at the forefront of commercial trading.

These are some of the recent feedback comments:

‘Excellent – very informative, well presented and will give food for thought in many areas of my employment’

‘Very Good – Confirmation that I am doing most things right. Learned a lot about other Authorities experiences’

‘Excellent content.’

‘Very Good – This course was perfectly timed as I have only recently taken over managing the market. Highlighted what I need to do regarding fact finding on charter and future areas I need to introduce.’

‘Excellent – Various legal aspects that you assume to have rights, but need to review policies and introduce new policies. Some very interesting points raised.’

‘Very Good – Very good content. Very good information and plenty to work with. Good perspective and interaction.’

Details of training courses organised by NABMA will be circulated periodically to NABMA members and a booking form in respect of individual courses can also be found on the website.

With the onset of the New Year, the training for the new Diploma in Markets Administration has now begun. So far 11 people have registered to take the Diploma in its inaugural year, and we are pleased to welcome students from as far a field as Darlington in the North east, and Forest Row in Sussex, together with students from the Midlands, Lancashire,Bedfordshire and east Anglia.

Training courses will commence in February, with the first three, Market Rights, Licences and te European Services Directive, Customer Care and Resourses and Street Trading and the European Directive being held with the kind permission of Geldards :aw Firm at their training facilities on Pride Park in Derby.

These training courses are not just for the students taking the Diploma but are open to anyone who has any involvement ib the control of Markets and Street Trading, be they Polititions, Markets, Town Centre Staff , Solicitors or the Police, as it is important that everyone concerned is as up to date with regulatory controls as possible.

We are still looking for venues and have been offered Widnes, London and East Sussex, so we aim to take these courses and others to as many parts of England as possible when dates can be arranged with both lecturers and the venue.

Please keep a close watch on the website for these training courses, which will also include Street and Market Hall, and the prevention of counterfielt goods.