Market representatives from across the UK considered the next step for the industry at the NABMA conference, in the aftermath of the publication of the select committee report, Market Failure? Can the Traditional Market Survive? this summer.
The report, from the select committee of the department for communities and local government, recommended a named minister with responsibility for markets and that the department for communities and local government should become the clear first point of contact for market matters.
The document, released in July, recognised good practice within the sector and one of its recommendations is for the industry itself to look in particular at how it can provide further best practice guidance and support to lower-tier councils that lack specialist knowledge.
Andrew Griffiths, second clerk to the select committee on traditional markets, last week told NABMA members that the report is by no means the end of the inquiry process.
He stressed that markets were essential in building communities and that the report featured test cases of how local authorities dealt with their markets in one particular area, but that the findings showed that markets would benefit from central government involvement.
Griffiths said: “These reports can shine a spotlight and this is one thing that we hope that this one is achieving. The role of select committees is to stimulate debate and the government will have to respond.
“As is often the case, the inquiry made the picture more complex - it became clear that there are many types of markets with different challenges, but there was evidence of renewal. The committee was enthused with this because they could see that markets are not a lost cause.”
The government is expected to respond to the report by mid-October.
The committee will have the opportunity to press the government on its response if it sees fit, before the findings can be considered in a Westminster Hall debate.
NABMA policy development manager Kris Zasada said: “This inquiry is the most prominent thing that has happened to our markets in living memory. I am pleased with the report and I think the recommendations are pragmatic. The committee has more than delivered in terms of its proposals and now it is up to us to decide what we are going to do with the report.”
Griffiths told delegates: “Now is the time to tell the committee what you think. Should it change its emphasis? Has something been missed? And you should tell the government what you think because there is still time to influence its response to the report.”
