Simon Baynes MP, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament earlier in the year to call on the Government to review the support available to markets and market traders, and the options for improving that support. Mr Baynes's Bill had 11 co-sponsors from across the House, demonstrating the strong support for local markets and market traders.
Mr Baynes, who has served as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Markets, has a personal connection to the markets industry. His grandfather's butchers' business RA Dodds was based in the Grainger Market in Newcastle and Mr Baynes played a key part in establishing a farmers' market in Llanfyllin when he was Mayor of the town.
The City of Wrexham has its origins as a market town and the livestock market was at one time the largest in Wales. The People’s Market is now Ty Pawb, the Central Market continues in its traditional way and the butchers’ market is due for redevelopment next year to offer a wide range of high quality Welsh food and drink. Markets also play an important role in Clwyd South where street and specialist markets are held in Llangollen, on the Rhug estate and elsewhere in the constituency.
A recent survey states that there are over 1,150 traditional markets in the UK, with over 32,000 small and medium-sized enterprises operating through them. Markets are a crucial outlet for businesses, particularly specialist businesses such as butchers and fishmongers.
The markets industry, however, has suffered financial, community, and personal damages from the COVID-19 pandemic. Stall occupancy has fallen from a national average of 77% four years ago to 72%, and more markets are operating at a loss. Only 40% of markets are trading with a surplus, and traditional family businesses are declining.
In light of these challenges, Simon Baynes MP's Bill calls for a review of the support available to the markets industry and of the options for improving that support. The review would focus on areas such as attracting new and younger traders, delivering successful and modern markets, and extending business rate relief to local authority markets.
Two national organisations represent the markets industry. The National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) that focuses on market operators – local authorities, private operators, CIC’s and charities – and the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) that supports market traders across the UK.
Commenting, Simon Baynes MP said:
"The markets industry, very ably represented by NABMA and NMTF, has taken several important initiatives to address areas that need more support such as the Young Traders Market and the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaigns, and those initiatives point to the areas on which the government could focus their support for the industry.
Never has it been more important to see markets and market traders prosper and grow given their vital importance to regenerating and reinvigorating our high streets across the UK."
