47 Little Heath Road, Tilehurst Reading RG31 5TY
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News and Events




















NORTH WEALD MARKET RAFFLE

As you know we have administered the above for many years.  Very soon the raffle and other fundraising activities will have passed the £200,000 landmark.  All monies as you know is donated to local good causes and details of which can be found on our website:  www.hughmark.co.uk

As of Easter Saturday the Charity Raffle will be run by a new local charity called “The Dream Factory”.  This wonderful charity raises funds to grant wishes and make dreams come true, to bring hope and happiness to children and young adults aged 3 -25 years who have life limiting or life threatening conditions or severe disabilities.  In many cases the child will have a potentially terminal illness and The Dream Factory aims to brighten the lives of the child and their family by treating them to a wonderful experience.

Traders of long standing will remember Avril Mills who is heading up this new charity after spending many years starting up and fund raising for the local Children’s Hospice, Haven House at Woodford Green.

 

The plan is that Avril and her team of volunteers will carry out the raffle as we have always done, draw the winner on the day of the raffle and then pay out the next market day.  This is to maximise the effort in fund raising and to allow time to prepare and distribute the associated paperwork and put on to our websites.

We look forward to a new and exciting approach to the North Weald Charity Raffle and trust that you will give Avril and her team good support.

Assuring you of our best intentions at all times.

Yours sincerely
Hughmark International

L R Hughes
Director











Hughmark International - Press Release

And now for the good news!!!
Hughmark International are pleased to announce that a new long term deal has been agreed between Epping Forest District Council and the Company.  A spokesperson for the Company stated: “There has been so much publicity about the future of the Airfield over the past two or three years which has been fuelled by various sources and it has obviously caused a certain amount of unrest.  This should put an end to speculation at least for some considerable time because the new deal is not for review until 2017.

As part of the new agreement the area known as `the meadow’ at the rear of J Row and adjacent to JX is to be laid to tarmac courtesy of Hughmark International.  Timings are not finalised but it is hoped that this new improved car park area will be open for use by Easter 2008 at the latest.

We are in the early stages of planning a Charity and Community Market with the Council which will coincide with the Markets over Bank Holiday weekends.  Not all stands and attractions sell items but there will be many display stands.  This type of market attracts huge footfall and will compliment the market attendance which is already always high.

Once a month commencing 20th October 2007 we will be introducing a monthly local produce/craft and hand made section to the market which will be held in the extension areas.

When all the rumours were rife we anticipated the outcome would be favourable and did not subscribe to the doom and gloom merchants.  The fact is the Market is well established and is considered to be of regional importance both for leisure and employment”

The Market is held on a vast concrete apron of the former WW1 and WW2 Airfield next to the M11 and close to the M25.  The market boasts of car parking to accommodate over 100,000 cars.  Hughmark subsidise local bus routes and has two dedicated scheduled services to and from the market to outlying areas. You can always fly in by special arrangement with the Airfield management.

North Weald Market information

Airfield Support for World Scout Event

Published on 27 July 2007

North Weald Airfield is playing a major behind the scenes role in support of Hylands Park as the World Scout Jamboree comes to Essex. The Epping Forest District Council- owned Airfield has become the logistical hub for the Jamboree which has returned to the UK for the first time since 1957. Guests are expected to include Members of the Royal Family and Royalty from overseas.

While Hylands Park hosts the event, North Weald will provide park and ride facilities for virtually all of the 40,000 scouts and 180,000 visitors expected between 27 July and 8 August 2007. Between 300 and 400 coaches will operate between the two sites while North Weald will provide long-term parking for another 50 coaches from overseas. Up to 1,000 event staff cars, 1,500 day visitor cars and 100 mini-buses will also park each day at North Weald. Local roads will be extra busy but detailed traffic management arrangements are in place to ensure congestion is kept to a minimum.

Visitors to the world scout jamboree arriving at North Weald airfield

Catering for so many people will be one of the biggest tests for event organisers. North Weald will provide transfer and distribution facilities throughout the event as hundreds of thousands of meals are served at Hylands Park each day.

A mini village of marquees, cabins and containers has been built at North Weald to support the operation.

Councillor Mrs Diana Collins, Leader of Epping Forest District Council said: “This is the biggest world event in the scouting calendar. We are very pleased and proud to support the Jamboree. Visitors from 159 different countries are expected and we will do our best to make sure they are impressed. North Weald is a fantastic facility.”

Councillor Mrs Collins continued: “We have already tested the North Weald arrangements for the European Jamboree two years ago and the World event is another leap forward. If this event proves to be just as successful, North Weald may also have identified itself as a potentially important support facility for the London Olympics in 2012.”

Coaches at North Weald airfield

North Weald Airfield will remain operational for nearly all other regular activities throughout the Jamboree including flying. The only exception will be the Saturday Market which will not take place on 4 August 2007.

Councillor Mrs Collins added: “I would like to thank the operators of North Weald Market, Hughmark International who have recognised the importance of this event and given us their full co-operation. Only one Saturday Market will be cancelled and business should return to normal for Saturday 11 August 2007.”

AMPO and NABMA Join Forces
NABMA is pleased to announce that April 17th was a historic day for the markets industry because the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Private Markets Operators (APMO) voted unanimously to become part of Nabma.

Nabma’s Chief Executive, Graham Wilson, made a presentation to the AGM before members voted and he explained that APMO members would not be able to take full membership of Nabma but they would exist as a separate group within the Nabma structure.

This decision has followed months of negotiation between the Nabma Management Board and the Executive Committee of APMO and is based on the acceptance by APMO of a number of conditions. It is intended that the arrangement will operate on a trial basis and will be reviewed in twelve months. APMO members will pay subscription rates based on the current Nabma subscription bandings.

This is an exciting development for Nabma and provides a platform for both public and private market operators to work together for their mutual benefit. In recent years the two organisations have come closer together primarily through the work of the Markets Industry Forum and the All Party Parliamentary Group and this latest development is an extension of the partnership working that is already in existence.


The new arrangements are likely to be implemented from 1st May.

NABMA Chief Executive Graham Wilson confirmed that this is a ground breaking partnership. “By linking public and private sector market interests we indicate to government agencies the joined up thinking that exists within the industry that hopefully will strengthen our voice and ability to influence policy and decision makers”

No Acrimony in the market! As reported in the Hearts and Essex News

We read with interest the article titled “Market Partners quit in acrimony” and wish to comment for clarification purposes.

Our Company has run Harlow Market over the past five years.  The market had been in a state of decline for several years before we arrived and it was reduced to a few stalwarts that have served Harlow residents for a long time.  Our Company recognised that the best chance the market had to recover and possibly surpass its former glory days was to relocate and with a new fresh look.  We attempted to convince the Council that to move the market into Broadwalk and utilising parts of Eastgate would be part of the solution.  We also wished to use uniform demountable portable Continental style stalls that would possibly bear the Town’s logo.  Thereby leaving the area clear when the market was not operating.  We also wished to reduce the days that we were operating to twice weekly, Friday and Saturdays.  The Bric-a-brac day would be held as a separate identity once a week,  thus trimming out Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We have used this formula on many occasions in several Towns throughout the U.K. to great effect. We can honestly state that whenever we have relocated a Town Centre Market it has always proved to be a resounding success.

The traders are unanimously in favour with the proposed move.  Some are unsure about reducing the days of operation, of course, but one step at a time, we are sure that we have convinced the minority that expresses opinions.  There is no animosity between any of the parties concerned as far as we are aware.  Our proposals do not meet favour with the local authority – okay, we accept this.  Obviously we are disappointed but although we believe we are right we abide by the decision.

Any business that cannot realise its objectives clearly must consider its position particularly if it is subsidising the contract by £60,000 - £70,000 per annum as we are.  Hence our Company served notice on the Council of its intention not to renew the Licence when the current one runs out in October. We noted the response in your article from Harlow Council that they had already taken the decision to take the Market operation in house anyway.  Once again we are comfortable with this and we wish them good luck.  However, we must comment on the quote that made reference to the shrinking gross takings. 

The gross takings or take up of stalls is in line with the National average decline on smaller markets – particularly smaller multi-day markets.  There are statistics available which indicate 20% decline on average of stall holder take up.  During our Licence period we have introduced many new traders but the average stay was one or two weeks before they left citing lack of trade as the reason for leaving.  We have introduced approximately 250 traders to Harlow Market as a very conservative estimate.

We also wish to comment on the remarks of the Chairman of Harlow branch of National Market Traders Federation by stating that his opinion is not shared by the vast majority of the stall holders that he is representing. The long stay traders at Harlow know how we have desperately tried to have the market moved and we had their support.  When you know that despite your best efforts you are not going to win the argument coupled by losses of approximately £350.000 you are entitled to become a little less enthusiastic in the final months of the contract aren’t you?

Please remember whilst we sustained these losses the Council income remained intact throughout because our level of subsidy increased as gross takings reduced.  Market Traders may complain that takings have reduced for them but even they do not subsidise the Market.  The only loser was our Company.  We also lose more than money because we have not been able to improve Harlow Market as we would have wished and that means we have not achieved professional satisfaction either.  Harlow Market ought to be a bustling, vibrant meeting place which everyone from Council members, officers, traders and the most important people of all, the Harlow residents should be proud of.  We sincerely hope that that it can be achieved albeit, sadly not with us.

To conclude - your header said “Acrimony” where? -  I do not believe there is any.  It is a business deal that did not work because we failed to convince the Council that our recommendations were in everyone’s long term interest.  Disappointment, yes – acrimony, no.Assuring you of our best intentions at all times.

Yours sincerely
Hughmark International

L R Hughes
Director

Save Our Services

SUPPORTERS of the Horton manned a stall at Banbury's Saturday street market at the weekend to launch a new petition and sell 'save the Hourton' T-shirts.

Local MP Tony Baldry helped volunteers sell 130 shirts and collect 1,100 signatures.

He said: "There is clearly a great deal of support for the Horton and this market stall, which has been given to us free of charge by the market operator, giving us a chance to spread the message to townspeople and villagers who come into town on a Saturday to shop."

The petition is headed "Banbury will accept no cuts" and it can be signed at the Banbury Cake offices in the High Street. The Cake also has A4 copies of the poster "Hands around Horton" for anyone who wants to advertise the event.



Spared? North Weald Airfield, which was earmarked for 6,000 homes under the East of England Plan, but now inspectors have focussed away from the former Battle of Britain airfield and are set to earmark land around Roydon and Nazeing for homebuilding instead.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am on the Fundraising Committee of Spelthorne Crossroads Care. We are one of the charities that you very kindly provided with a stand and canopy at the above Community Day in Staines. I have sent back our Market Collection Statement by post.

I just wanted to write and say what excellent service we received on the day, and how very helpful and friendly the gentleman in charge was. He goes out of his way to ensure that everyone has what they need,and to accommodate stall holders being next to each other where necessary.

We had a very successful day both in that we raised much needed funds,and by raising the profile of our Charity. Thank you to all concerned for your generosity and hard work.

Best wishes,

Caroline Hunter
(for Spelthorne Crossroads Care Fundraising Committee)

To all Market people...
HOW about all Market's authorities, federations, operators and traders alike joining force to fund raise for children's hospices nationwide?

With a combined impetus of an annual campaign culminating in a grand finalé festival week, the amount that we could raise would be substantial.

Each area will have a hospice near them so whatever fund raising activities that take place at your Market you distribute to your local hospice.

There would be no negatives
- only positives! The hospice would benefit, which in turn assists many families. The markets would probably attract publicity but more importantly we unite in a common cause dear to everyone's hearts.

If you are interested in pursuing this a stage further then please contact Market Trader. Let's see if we can join together as 'Market Forces'?

Lew Hughes
Hughmark International

Stallholders' plea to the public
STALLHOLDERS on Banbury’s street market are urging shoppers to support the twice-weekly event.

They say the market is packed with bargains but suffers from a lack of customers. Former town mayor Surinder Dhesi is backing the traders.

She said “The market has a long-standing tradition and we should try to make sure that it has a long-term future. It will only survive if traders, some who travel long distances to set-up stalls, can make a living.

If members of the public do not support the market, it will die – and once gone it will never return.”
Spokesman for the traders is Steve Fisher, chairman of the Banbury branch of the National Market Traders Federation. He said people have got used to shopping at superstores where they can park for free, but said better bargains were available at street markets.

He said: “Banbury market is as good as any in the country. A hundred stalls, twice a week, selling a wider range of goods than you can find in the High Street or in Castle Quay.

Where in Banbury can you find a haberdasher, for instance. Not in the main streets or the shopping centre – but the market has one.”

At the market last Thursday, Mr Fisher said “Look around, there are some great stallholders – just about every trade you can think of. All they want is a steady flow of customers.”

Market superintendent Dave Johnson said: “We can get the traders here but we don’t seem to attract the public. People must support the market or the traders will stop coming.”



He added “Hughmark, the company that runs the market is doing it’s best to promote it. We advertise in local newspapers and on local radio. Mr Fisher agreed. He said “We cannot fault Hughmark. They have brought in traders to fill up the market. When Cherwell District Council was running it, it was half empty, especially on Thursdays.
“Banbury market has got lots of potential – and all it needs is public support. There are plenty of bargains to be found here every week.”

Mr Fisher’s words were backed up this week by a report from the New Economics Foundation, which showed street markets offered a better choice of fresh fruit and vegetables than supermarkets and charged 50 per cent less.

The report also said that a shopping basket of goods bought from a street market in East London cost 53 per cent less than the same goods bought from the local Asda. The New Economics Foundation is an independent think tank.
Generosity will benefit ex-RAFA members
I am pleased to report that our charity collection at the North Weald Market on Easter Saturday raised £255.10

The public again showed their generosity in supporting us by contributing money that will be devoted to welfare work amongst those serving and ex-service men and women, and their dependants, who need urgent assistance.

It will help to run the RAF Association home for the permanently and seriously disabled, and our convalescent homes. Additionally, whenever possible we help local ex-Royal Air Force members.

WALTER BARNARD,
RAFA honorary Wings Appeal organiser,
North Weald and Ongar branch
St. James Avenue, Ongar.

Hughmark International signs up to the Essex Code of Conduct Charter.

Download a copy here:
Code of Conduct Charter.pdf (272k)

Hughmark believe that the only sensible way forward for the future is by all interested parties sharing intelligence including trade mark holders. They believe that having a series of well publicised raids on markets seizing goods has no long term affect. Short term it sends messages to traders that deal in counterfeit goods to go elsewhere perhaps in another County for a while. The public instead of being put off by the publicity seems to attract even larger crowds as a result! Much better to regularly police the events on a week by week basis and try to prevent illegal goods being sold at all. Obviously there are not enough trading standards staff to cover all the events every week so the information on how to spot the difference between fake and real needs to be imparted so that whoever is running the events can check. For instance a chart CD being sold for a fiver is a good indication provided you know who is in the charts. Most of our staff are from a different musical era completely! One step forward would be charts being sent to us operators periodically. Another would be for trade mark holders to give us instruction on their product so that we can spot fakes. Price is only an indication. The occasional half hour training session would greatly assist everyone.
From left to right:
Lew Hughes, Managing Director of Hughmark International
Mike Hill, Head of Trading Standards
Roger Walters (County Councillor) Executive Member for Trading

Good traders selling genuine items find it difficult to compete with those selling counterfeit good