Mystery shoppers give Warwickshire’s local markets the ‘thumbs up’
Warwickshire’s traditional local street markets and farmers markets have been given the ‘thumbs up’ following a series of inspections and a mystery shopping exercise conducted by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
Over a three month period, Trading Standards Officers visited 247 retail street market and farmers market’s stalls to provide advice to traders, ensure that food and other items were being sold correctly and checking the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment.
A mystery shopping exercise followed to check that traders were charging the correct prices and goods bought weighed the correct amount.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said:
“Traditional street markets are at the heart of our local communities. Our work supports traders to meet consumer protection laws and enables consumers to have confidence when shopping at traditional markets.
Our officers experienced a positive reaction from the market traders and organisers they met and were very satisfied with the way in which traders were meeting their responsibilities.”
The retail street markets inspected were: Atherstone, Bedworth, Henley in Arden, Kenilworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, Southam, Stratford, Warwick
The Farmer’s Markets inspected were: Coleshill, Leamington, Nuneaton, Stratford, Warwick.
Market traders were given guidance on consumer’s rights and business guidance on weights & measures, product safety, food labelling and fair trading where required.
Trading Standards offer free advice to Warwickshire businesses on our website http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Consumers requiring help and advice should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.