APPENDIX 1
THE RETAIL MARKETS ALLIANCE
This submission is made on behalf of the Retail
Markets Alliance (RMA) which represents the four major organisations
involved in the markets industry in the UK. The RMA was formed
in 2008 with the intention of representing the views of the
markets industry on major issues, and comprises the following
organisations:
— The National Association of British Market
Authorities (NABMA).
— The National Market Traders' Federation
(NMTF).
— The Association of Town Centre Management
(ATCM) and
— The National Farmers' Retail and Markets
Association (FARMA).
NABMA represents local authority operators of
markets and also a significant number of private operators. Currently
NABMA represents one hundred and sixty two local authorities and
fourteen private operators and provides advice, good practice
and a range of other services to its members.
The NMTF represents the interests of more than
34,000 members throughout the UK. As well as providing them
with the insurance cover they need to trade on retail markets,
the NMTF lobbies on their behalf at local, national and international
government level, and strives to ensure the industry not only
survives, but thrives. The organisation also mounts major publicity
campaigns to raise public awareness of the choice and value of
markets. Through its popular website (www.nmtf.co.uk)
the Federation provides both traders and shoppers with details
of more than 800 retail markets.
The ATCM is a UK wide organisation engaged in
the promotion of vitality and viability in town centres. It supports
nearly 600 members including practitioners in town centre
management initiatives, retailers, property owners and government
agencies. In helping town and city centres realise their natural
roles both as prosperous locations for business and investment,
and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities, the ATCM
has: assisted governments in England, Wales and Scotland in introducing
Business Improvement District legislation; supported the formation
of the skills and accreditation body the Institute of Place Management;
and has formed valuable links with both the International Downtown
Association based in the US and TOCEMA which includes similar
European based town centre trade bodies.
FARMA is a social enterprise of farmers and
producers selling on a local scale and farmers' markets organisers.
FARMA works throughout the UK and is the largest organisation
of its type in the world representing direct sales to customers
through farmers' markets and other outlets. FARMA is constituted
as a co-operative having a sector developmental role as well as
setting standards through a Certification programme for farmers'
markets.
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