Confusion over the Decentralisation and Localism Bill and what it would mean for markets throughout the UK overshadowed the launch of a new package of practical advice and training for traditional market traders, released by the coalition government at NABMA’s Buxton conference last week.

The coalition’s minister for markets, Andrew Stunell, put forward a trio of measures, which aim to support existing markets and help potential enterprising traders get started, but was instead quizzed about the bill.

He told delegates it was about to get harder to get money out of authorities. “From now on local authorities will be free to make their own decisions on where money is spent without the approval of national government,” he said.

“If you don’t make the case, who will? You are not going to get showered with money - not that you expected to.”