Understanding and Enhancing the Community Value of Traditional Retail Markets in UK cities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sch of Geography
Abstract
Traditional retail markets (TRM) have played a significant role in UK's towns and cities for centuries more recently specially supporting deprived neighbourhoods providing affordable food and start-up business opportunities as well as fostering social inclusion in increasingly diverse cities. However they have been affected by radical changes in global retail trends and public sector cuts which are relegating them to a marginal space. At the same time, markets specialising in food, local produce, fashion and crafts, aimed at high income consumers and tourists are in resurgence with Borough in London and La Boqueria in Barcelona held as successful models. Research is urgent to understand the current situation of markets and their potential community value which may be at risk as evidenced by the rise of campaigns, particularly in London, denouncing the displacement of independent retailers and vulnerable users.
To respond to this knowledge gap and need for policy advice, this research will provide a fresh, novel and holistic way to understand the community value, which so far has been evidenced in international academic and policy literature but remains disconnected. For our research we will define the community value of TRM as constituted of three interconnected dimensions: 1. Economic as places that provide affordable food, products and services as well as create opportunities for low cost business start-ups. 2. Social as platforms for social mobility and the development of community ties and trust leading to better social inclusion. 3. Cultural as spaces for experiencing a diversity of cultures and ethnicities and provide a sense of place for migrants, ethnic minorities and generally vulnerable citizens.
The project will be organised around four tasks. First we will critically analyse how the current public discourse around TRM is being framed nationally and internationally through an analysis of industry, academic, community, media and policy publications. Second, in collaboration with stakeholders through interviews and workshops, we will tease out the various ways in which key TRM stakeholders understand their community value. A third task will gain an in depth and rigorous understanding of markets users' experiences via interviews, focus groups and a large market user survey in three markets which we have selected as Sheffield Moor, Stockport and Queens Market in London. These represent the profound transformations that TRM are going through in different ways: the three are based in dense urban areas with significant deprived pockets within their catchments, they are all owned and managed by local authorities with severe funding pressures but are at various stages of redevelopment. With the data from the large scale survey we will perform a geospatial analysis identifying the socio-demographic groups that market users come from at the different case studies and relating this to their various experiences. The fourth task will concentrate in the development of usable outputs and tools for key TRM stakeholders such as market trader organisation, local authorities, national level policy makers, third sector organisations and local community groups all engaged in the future of TRM.
To extend our potential to have a real societal impact we will co-produce our research with non-academic partners from the TRM sector (National Market Traders Federation) and experts in community economics (New Economics Foundation) and we will be supported through a Steering Group with other organisations at various stages of the research (See letters). The project will result in five academic articles in international journals. We will produce reports aimed at policy makers within the TRM sector and accessible short reports and non-academic articles all disseminated through our communication strategy. We will also hold practical workshops with traders, market managers and community groups to test and feedback on our findings.
To respond to this knowledge gap and need for policy advice, this research will provide a fresh, novel and holistic way to understand the community value, which so far has been evidenced in international academic and policy literature but remains disconnected. For our research we will define the community value of TRM as constituted of three interconnected dimensions: 1. Economic as places that provide affordable food, products and services as well as create opportunities for low cost business start-ups. 2. Social as platforms for social mobility and the development of community ties and trust leading to better social inclusion. 3. Cultural as spaces for experiencing a diversity of cultures and ethnicities and provide a sense of place for migrants, ethnic minorities and generally vulnerable citizens.
The project will be organised around four tasks. First we will critically analyse how the current public discourse around TRM is being framed nationally and internationally through an analysis of industry, academic, community, media and policy publications. Second, in collaboration with stakeholders through interviews and workshops, we will tease out the various ways in which key TRM stakeholders understand their community value. A third task will gain an in depth and rigorous understanding of markets users' experiences via interviews, focus groups and a large market user survey in three markets which we have selected as Sheffield Moor, Stockport and Queens Market in London. These represent the profound transformations that TRM are going through in different ways: the three are based in dense urban areas with significant deprived pockets within their catchments, they are all owned and managed by local authorities with severe funding pressures but are at various stages of redevelopment. With the data from the large scale survey we will perform a geospatial analysis identifying the socio-demographic groups that market users come from at the different case studies and relating this to their various experiences. The fourth task will concentrate in the development of usable outputs and tools for key TRM stakeholders such as market trader organisation, local authorities, national level policy makers, third sector organisations and local community groups all engaged in the future of TRM.
To extend our potential to have a real societal impact we will co-produce our research with non-academic partners from the TRM sector (National Market Traders Federation) and experts in community economics (New Economics Foundation) and we will be supported through a Steering Group with other organisations at various stages of the research (See letters). The project will result in five academic articles in international journals. We will produce reports aimed at policy makers within the TRM sector and accessible short reports and non-academic articles all disseminated through our communication strategy. We will also hold practical workshops with traders, market managers and community groups to test and feedback on our findings.
Planned Impact
The research will benefit all of those with responsibilities in the TRM sector as well as current and potential market users and members of the public in general. In particular:
Market Traders: There are around 55,000 people directly employed by TRM, half of them organised around the nation-wide National Markets Traders Federation (NMTF), Co-Is in this proposal, which has 23,000 members. They support traders on the ground, lobby government for the improvement of conditions in the sector and campaign widely to raise the profile of markets. Traders, through dedicated workshops, reports and non-academic publications, will benefit by having rigorous evidence about the socio-economic value that their jobs bring, promoting their sector to government bodies and the public in general.
Market operators and managers: There are around 1,226 TRM in the UK many of them organised around the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) which has around 200 members and which supports our proposal (See letters). There are also private international operators such as Geraud and a new London Markets Board. These stakeholders are represented in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Markets (APPG) which is supportive of this project (See letters). At our case study markets, through dedicated workshops and reports, managers will benefit by the evidence generated from customer surveys thus giving them more information about their customer base. Nationally, via policy reports, workshops and presentations, operators will benefit from the policy tools to enhance the community value of markets, replicable for their own markets. These insights will support their activities aimed at showing the added value of this sector vis a vis corporate supermarkets at a time of increased competition and shrinking public budgets.
Market campaigns and community local groups: There are many campaigns emerging in the UK bringing together market users and traders to stop the neglect, disappearance or gentrification of their markets, such as Friends of Queens Market, Save Chrisp Street Market, Save Berwick Street Market, Wards Corner Community Coalition (all in London), Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market or Friends of Peterborough Market with whom the PI is in direct contact. Campaigners will benefit by having rigorous data and a methodology, disseminated in reports, workshops and short publications, to evidence the community value of markets, which they campaign for, particularly in processes of urban regeneration when TRM are often under threat.
National level public officials / policy makers. The Department for Communities and Local Government and Department for Business and Innovation have direct responsibilities over markets as well as the Future High Streets Forum, the Association of Town Centre Management, Royal Town Planning Institute or Local Government Association. Through targeted dissemination of our policy reports and in a final project event, these policy makers will be shown a complex and holistic understanding of the value of TRM thus improving their knowledge in important decisions.
Market users and members of the public in general. It is estimated that there are 26 billion shopping visits to TRM each year (NABMA and NMTF, 2016) and they contribute to the economic and cultural life of towns and cities thus TRM are an important part of many people's lives. Through a carefully planned communication strategy involving social and traditional media, we will disseminate our findings to a wide audience spreading awareness of the community value of TRM which can impact on decisions over the promotion and improvement of markets. The most vulnerable groups will particularly profit by our evidence as policy makers' will have tools to tailor their policies towards them. In the case study markets, users will benefit from finding out more about the community role of their markets impacting on their pride and sense of place.
Market Traders: There are around 55,000 people directly employed by TRM, half of them organised around the nation-wide National Markets Traders Federation (NMTF), Co-Is in this proposal, which has 23,000 members. They support traders on the ground, lobby government for the improvement of conditions in the sector and campaign widely to raise the profile of markets. Traders, through dedicated workshops, reports and non-academic publications, will benefit by having rigorous evidence about the socio-economic value that their jobs bring, promoting their sector to government bodies and the public in general.
Market operators and managers: There are around 1,226 TRM in the UK many of them organised around the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) which has around 200 members and which supports our proposal (See letters). There are also private international operators such as Geraud and a new London Markets Board. These stakeholders are represented in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Markets (APPG) which is supportive of this project (See letters). At our case study markets, through dedicated workshops and reports, managers will benefit by the evidence generated from customer surveys thus giving them more information about their customer base. Nationally, via policy reports, workshops and presentations, operators will benefit from the policy tools to enhance the community value of markets, replicable for their own markets. These insights will support their activities aimed at showing the added value of this sector vis a vis corporate supermarkets at a time of increased competition and shrinking public budgets.
Market campaigns and community local groups: There are many campaigns emerging in the UK bringing together market users and traders to stop the neglect, disappearance or gentrification of their markets, such as Friends of Queens Market, Save Chrisp Street Market, Save Berwick Street Market, Wards Corner Community Coalition (all in London), Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market or Friends of Peterborough Market with whom the PI is in direct contact. Campaigners will benefit by having rigorous data and a methodology, disseminated in reports, workshops and short publications, to evidence the community value of markets, which they campaign for, particularly in processes of urban regeneration when TRM are often under threat.
National level public officials / policy makers. The Department for Communities and Local Government and Department for Business and Innovation have direct responsibilities over markets as well as the Future High Streets Forum, the Association of Town Centre Management, Royal Town Planning Institute or Local Government Association. Through targeted dissemination of our policy reports and in a final project event, these policy makers will be shown a complex and holistic understanding of the value of TRM thus improving their knowledge in important decisions.
Market users and members of the public in general. It is estimated that there are 26 billion shopping visits to TRM each year (NABMA and NMTF, 2016) and they contribute to the economic and cultural life of towns and cities thus TRM are an important part of many people's lives. Through a carefully planned communication strategy involving social and traditional media, we will disseminate our findings to a wide audience spreading awareness of the community value of TRM which can impact on decisions over the promotion and improvement of markets. The most vulnerable groups will particularly profit by our evidence as policy makers' will have tools to tailor their policies towards them. In the case study markets, users will benefit from finding out more about the community role of their markets impacting on their pride and sense of place.
Publications
Waley, P
(2021)
Bury market: shopping destination and community hub
Gonzalez S
(2021)
Grainger Market: a community asset at the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newing A
(2023)
The role of traditional retail markets in addressing urban food deserts
in The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research
| Description | Through this research project we have interviewed around 50 experts on markets in the UK and conducted local research in three specific markets: Grainger in Newcastle, Bury Market and Queen Market in London. In each of three markets we have interviewed around 10 local experts (f.e. traders and council officers), conducted two focus groups with customers and surveyed 500 customers; this constitutes the largest ever data collection exercise on market customers in the UK. Our survey has shown that customers in these three markets tend to be older, in lower socio-economic groups and more ethnically diverse than in the catchment area. The survey also shows that customers value the affordability of produce and may rely of markets for shopping essential goods; choosing markets over other more conveniently located shops. We found that in Bury and Newcastle, customers attracted to the markets were more likely to come from neighbourhoods with food desert characteristics than the residents in the markets catchment areas. We found strong evidence that markets act as spaces for social encounter particularly for older people who use them to meet friends and exchange news and information. Markets also emerge as spaces where people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds are interacting. Our research is also showing that despite these positive elements, many local authorities find it difficult to plan strategically to make the most of these benefits that markets can bring. This trend is aggravated by funding constraints on local authorities. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted very negatively on the traditional markets sector with many markets and market stalls having to close down during periods of lockdown or suffering from low footfall. Our research has found that in this context, market operators, in particular Local Authorities, are even more inclined to see markets as commercial properties where to generate income potentially putting at risk the community value that they currently or can potentially generate. However, we also found that there are many initiatives across the UK where markets are actively used as community hubs which we collected and published in a practical handbook in how to operate markets as community hubs for inclusive economies. We also found that there is an appetite for community groups to start up and run markets but there is generally a lack of support from government grants and lack of knowledge within the markets industry on a variety of market governance mechanisms. As a response, we collected and published a guide on community and trader-operated markets, explaining the various governance models, funding options and sharing examples around the UK. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings can be taken forward via both academic and non academic routes. In terms of non academic: The findings will be useful for the Markets' retail sector and for local authorities. In particular, local authorities will benefit from our vision to think of markets as "community hubs for inclusive economies" and to integrate more strategically their markets more clearly into their council strategies. Market operators, beyond local authorities will be able to replicate our survey methodology, use recommendations from our Handbooks and plan for improving the community value of markets. In terms of academic: Our findings can also be taken forward by academics researching markets and more generally retail, the high street and underinvested urban spaces. In particular, we have shown how retail spaces have an important social value which is difficult to quantify. Our research can also contribute to advance discussion on food deserts and how users often bypass supermarkets to seek alternative sources of food provisioning. Our research is also contributing to discussion on the impact of austerity on local government authorities and the pressures they have to extract income from their properties potentially neglecting the social value that these community assets can bring about. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/ |
| Description | My research has directly engaged industry bodies and key policy stakeholders resulting in my findings about the community value of markets for disadvantaged groups directly reaching decision makers and shifting the narrative at a national level. The main industry bodies of the markets sector, NMTF and NABMA, who represent the majority of traders and market operators, have been involved directly in the project, contributing to significantly to outputs and in turn shaping their own agenda. The Chief Executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) has publicly acknowledged this project as one of the most important for the sector. Myself and members of the research team have been invited to present this research as a keynote speaker at the leading national meetings of the markets industry, including at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Markets. During the COVID pandemic we supported NMTF in making a submission to a Government Inquiry about the impact of the pandemic on small businesses. At national level, we have also had an impact in highlighting markets as part of the social economy, working with influential think tanks such as NEF and CLES and Power to Change who specialise in this sectors. At local level, this research is having practical impact amongst local authorities in their efforts to improve markets without displacing low income user groups and traders. For example, the manager of Halifax market remarked in a research interview that he would never aim to gentrify this market, quoting my work: "You can't gentrify a market; I read Dr Gonzalez's paper as soon as it was printed, I can assure you; I've been reading everything she said". In Bradford, the council has embarked on a £23m development of a new market where they have sought our advice to establish a Sustainable Market Charter. In Bury, a senior officer told us how our research was essential to their successful £20m bid from the Government's Level Up fund to improve their market. In Newham (London), as a result of our feedback, the council has broadened a consultant brief incorporating a more inclusive approach to the improvements on Queens Market. In Islington (London), I acted in a consultancy role to advise the council on an inclusive strategy for their markets. this work is offering local authorities new ways to think strategically about their markets and potentially generate new partnerships and access new forms of funding, improving the effectiveness of public services and policy. This research project has generated rigorous evidence on the benefits that traditional retail markets bring particularly to vulnerable groups in terms of reducing loneliness, promoting social inclusion and reducing food insecurity. This evidence is being used by some local authorities to reframe their market operations which can in turn have positive outcomes for the quality of live and health of the most vulnerable groups. Finally, my message is also reaching the general public through my engagement with the media. Most notably, the BBC recorded a feature on markets based on my research which was aired on TV and Radio via BBC Breakfast, BBC World, the News Channel and BBC News at One on BBC1 reaching millions of people. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Retail |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | APPMG agenda item July 2018 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Consultancy to Islington Council on their market strategy |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Evidence submitted to the BEIS inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/work/178/the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-businesses-and-workers/public... |
| Description | Evidence to Haringey Council Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Inquiry |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/documents/s111865/Scrutiny%20Review%20-%20Wards%20Corner%20fourt... |
| Description | High streets and town centres in 2030 inquiry |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/housing-communities... |
| Description | Member of Advisory Board of the First Community Improvement Districts pilot |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.powertochange.org.uk/news/five-new-community-improvement-districts/ |
| Description | Participation as an international evaluator of ideas to renovate two markets in Lima, Peru, affected by high COVID-19 rates. |
| Geographic Reach | South America |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://concursomercadospc19.com/?utm_medium=website&utm_source=plataformaarquitectura.cl |
| Description | Presentation to APPMG 13/11/18 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/report-launch/ |
| Description | Presentation to Islington Council Inclusive Economy Board |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | While it is was too early for our team to make definitive recommendations, emerging findings from the Markets4People project suggest an emerging alternative vision for traditional retail markets which we hope is helpful to Islington Council's ongoing work: - More collaborative working amongst operators, traders, user groups and wider partners - Expand community and trader owned and managed markets; potential to make use of legislation, support and funding. - Make a broad business case for re-investment of operating surplus/new investment, exploring economic, social and cultural value. - Ensure surveys/research aims to understand functions and benefits of existing market, not just looking at what needs to change. Make use of tools for measuring social value as well as working closely with traders, customers and local community groups. - Pursue incremental rather than transformative redevelopment and improvement schemes which retain and support existing traders, minimise disturbance during construction works, make long-term commitments to low-cost rents, take care to ensure new initiatives/areas will benefit existing traders, incentivise and support local supply chains, and provide space and support for existing social and community functions. - Markets as part of emerging experiments in bottom-up and democratic local economic development, ensuring improvements involve and benefit local people e.g. community wealth building Our presentation provoked a series of productive and generative exchanges amongst the various teams represented around the table, as Councillor Shaikh explored the possibilities to make links between markets and adult community learning, schools and colleges, libraries, community groups and children's activities. These discussions really demonstrated how involving local authority markets teams in wider discussions with other parts of the council can reveal shared goals and the potential for joint working. It was inspiring to see Islington Council moving towards a whole council approach to their markets strategy. We were glad to have such a positive reaction to our presentation and look forward to further dialogue and engagement with Islington Council, including on the potential for trader and community owned and managed markets. |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/developing-a-markets-strategy-for-an-inclusive-economy-in-isli... |
| Description | Presentation to London Markets Board, 15/02/19 |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2019/02/190215-LMB-pres-v3.pdf |
| Description | Presentation to Retail Markets Forum 21/01/2019 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Wards Corner Community Plan |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
| URL | https://www.wardscornerplan.org/ |
| Description | Developing best practice for community markets |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Power to Change |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2020 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | Impact Acceleration Account |
| Amount | £1,795 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Laidlaw Scholarship |
| Amount | £1,755 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Laidlaw Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2019 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Road Map for Inclusive Markets |
| Amount | £24,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | London Borough of Islington |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | School of Geography (University of Leeds) Impact Fund |
| Amount | £9,499 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 04/2020 |
| Description | University of Leeds ESRC Impact Acceleration Account |
| Amount | £14,975 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2020 |
| End | 05/2021 |
| Title | Market user survey template |
| Description | Close to 500 market users completed our survey at each of our three case study markets, giving us a more accurate picture of how Bury, Queen's and Grainger Markets each bring value to their community and how the people who shop and spend time there feel about them. The survey was developed using an interdisciplinary approach, involving team members with expertise in Human Geography, Geodemographics, Retail Geography and Social Statistics, with guidance from the market research company who subsequently conducted the survey. The survey template has been published on the Markets4People website under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Following the presentation to stakeholders of findings on Queen's Market (13/02/2020) the operator, Newham Council, decided that it would use the survey template to gather data from its other markets within the borough. Other market managers and operators downloaded the template with a view to improving their markets, understanding their customer base or providing evidence of their community value. |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/about/market-users/market-user-survey/ |
| Title | NMTF data made available through CDRC |
| Description | NMTF - the only national trade association for market traders in the UK (and a collaborator on this project) - has made some of their extensive data on markets available for wider re-use via the Leeds-based Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC). The latest addition to CDRC's 10,800 datasets is drawn from the NMTF's comprehensive data on markets. These data are collected as part of frequent visits to markets across the UK, carried out by in-house officers. Field Support Officers record non-sensitive information on market characteristics, trading days, opening hours, occupancy rates and the type of goods and services available. The NMTF has been able to make these data freely available via the CDRC, who have drawn on the enthusiasm and expertise of University of Leeds MSc student Oliver Smith to prepare and quality-assure the data. Oliver spent time in the NMTF's offices assessing the coverage and completeness of internal databases, preparing documentation to enable wider re-use of these data and adding geographic identifiers, enabling spatial and statistical analysis of these data. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Chris Savage, the NMTF's Project Manager, commented: "This is a tremendous opportunity to raise the profile of the NMTF's work and ensure that traditional retail markets are recognised within analysis and policy-making related to local retail environments". The NMTF is working closely with the Markets 4 People project team to understand the community value of traditional markets amidst a changing retail environment. The availability of comprehensive and high quality data capturing market provision is one part of that process. |
| URL | https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/dataset/national-market-traders-federation |
| Title | Traditional Retail Markets Community Value Survey Data |
| Description | This is the first dataset that provides the opportunity to investigate and analyse, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the community value of Traditional Retail Markets (TRM) in the UK. Interview, workshop, focus group transcripts, and survey data provide insights into how TRM stakeholders, experts, and users conceive the functions and values of the UK market sector. In particular, the dataset puts forward the perspective of TRM users, which have not been generally studied in such numbers. The qualitative dataset includes transcripts of interviews, workshops, and focus groups about the community value of Traditional Retail Markets (TRM); the context and particularities of Bury Market, Grainger Market, and Queen's Market; and the market users' everyday life experiences of these three markets. The quantitative dataset includes the responses of Bury Market, Grainger Market, and Queen's Market users regarding the economic, social, and cultural value of these markets from a user perspective. Supporting documentation for the qualitative data includes a Data listing, Information sheets, Consent forms, and Topic guides. Supporting documentation for the quantitative data includes Recruitment leaflets, Information sheets, Questionnaires, and Variables description. For full details of the data available, including a list of data files, field level metadata for the surveys, quality and novelty analysis, and details of the research team, please see the data profile PDF below. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Not yet known. |
| URL | https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/dataset/traditional-retail-markets-community-value-survey-data |
| Description | Bury Market |
| Organisation | Bury Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | - Desktop research of basic economic data and the policy context of the market. - Up to 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants (i.e. markets managers and other relevant local authority officers, traders, community groups) to understand the context and particularities of the market. In particular we will make an extra effort to recruit interviewees from organisations working with vulnerable groups to find out if and how they use TRM as part of their work. - A large 500 survey-questionnaire with customers in the market (each customer survey will last <15 minutes). This survey will be conducted between 18.02.2019 and 07.04.2019 by Fieldwork Assistance, with guidance from the research team. Before conducting the survey we will share a draft copy of the survey with Bury Council and will conduct a pilot over the course of one day in January 2019. - Spatial and geodemographic analysis of the market-user survey data. - Two focus groups with 6 regular market users in each to complement the survey data and develop a rich qualitative analysis of users' everyday life experiences of the market. - Information stalls within the market (organised by the research team). These will be held for one week towards the end of the project (provisionally Feb/March 2020) and findings from our research will be displayed in an accessible manner with copies of our outputs and project team members available for discussion with traders and market users. - Workshops/events/activities to share research findings with key actors and to explore how the research can inform the future development of the market (provisionally Feb/March 2020). - Sharing an overview of the survey data (NB: not the raw survey data) and a report on our findings pertaining to the market with Bury Council. - Provide regular updates and liaise closely with key actors (market management, traders group(s) and community groups) throughout the research process |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Provide relevant background material relating to the market and the research project aims, where possible (e.g. research and policy documents). - Identify and enable key informants (e.g. market managers, other relevant local authority officers, traders and community groups) to provide interviews with the research team. - Facilitate access to the market, as necessary, for the research team and Fieldwork Assistance and disseminate information about the research amongst relevant groups (traders, members of the public, local authority, other businesses). - Liaise with the research team to agree appropriate dates and venues for data collection and for workshops, focus groups and dissemination activities. - Liaise with the research team to enable use of a market stall for the research team to share project findings through (provisionally in Feb/March 2020). - To explore with the research team and key actors the possible implications of the research findings for the future development of the market. |
| Impact | Involvement as a project case study is cited as an example of successful partnership working in Bury Market's entry to the NABMA Great British Market Awards 2019. Bury won the top award of 'Britain's Favourite Market', chosen through a public vote. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | CLES |
| Organisation | Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We worked closely with CLES in the writing of a report on community run markets. We delivered a workshop hosted by CLES on markets as community wealth building |
| Collaborator Contribution | In-kind support for the project's dissemination and evaluation strategies by promoting the finished handbooks and hosting workshop sessions ; providing text for the finalk report; hosting digital copies of the handbooks; to enable the project team to reach a wider audience and obtain feedback from users |
| Impact | Taylor M, Northrop F, Kiberd E, Phagoora J, Scurrah E, Power H, González S, Waley P and Wilkinson R. 2022. Trader- and community-run markets: a practical to setting up, running your market and accessing support. http://doi.org/10.5518/100/74 Event: Markets as a tool for community wealth building, Tuesday 26th Jul 2022, 1:30pm - 2:30pm https://cles.org.uk/events/markets-as-a-tool-for-community-wealth-building/ |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Grainger Market, Newcastle |
| Organisation | Newcastle City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | · Desktop research of basic economic data and the policy context of the market. · Up to 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants (i.e. markets managers and other relevant local authority officers, traders, community groups) to understand the context and particularities of the market. In particular we will make an extra effort to recruit interviewees from organisations working with vulnerable groups to find out if and how they use TRM as part of their work. · A large 500 survey-questionnaire with customers in the market (each customer survey will last <15 minutes). This survey will be conducted between 18.02.2019 and 07.04.2019 by Fieldwork Assistance, with guidance from the research team. Before conducting the survey we will share a draft copy of the survey with Bury Council and will conduct a pilot over the course of one day in January 2019. · Spatial and geodemographic analysis of the market-user survey data. · Two focus groups with 6 regular market users in each to complement the survey data and develop a rich qualitative analysis of users' everyday life experiences of the market. · Information stalls within the market (organised by the research team). These will be held for one week towards the end of the project (provisionally Feb/March 2020) and findings from our research will be displayed in an accessible manner with copies of our outputs and project team members available for discussion with traders and market users. · Workshops/events/activities to share research findings with key actors and to explore how the research can inform the future development of the market (provisionally Feb/March 2020). · Sharing an overview of the survey data (NB: not the raw survey data) and a report on our findings pertaining to the market with Newcastle City Council. · Provide regular updates and liaise closely with key actors (market management, traders group(s) and community groups) throughout the research process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | · Provide relevant background material relating to the market and the research project aims, where possible (e.g. research and policy documents). · Identify and enable key informants (e.g. market managers, other relevant local authority officers, traders and community groups) to provide interviews with the research team. · Facilitate access to the market, as necessary, for the research team and Fieldwork Assistance and disseminate information about the research amongst relevant groups (traders, members of the public, local authority, other businesses). · Liaise with the research team to agree appropriate dates and venues for data collection and for workshops, focus groups and dissemination activities. · Liaise with the research team to enable use of a market stall for the research team to share project findings through (provisionally in Feb/March 2020). · To explore with the research team and key actors the possible implications of the research findings for the future development of the market. |
| Impact | To add. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | New Economics Foundation |
| Organisation | New Economics Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We have closely collaborated with NEF in this research project. The are co-Is and have participated in our routine project meetings, events and Steering Group meetings. Several of our project outputs are co-authored with NEF. We have collaborated more closely towards the end of the award. The colaboratio has shaped in partly NEF's strategic interests and as a result NEF are more engaged in bidding for funding or picking up consultancy jobs around markets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Input and feedback to major research and strategic decisions of the grant; feedback and direct input on policy-related outputs; lead authorship in two policy-related outputs; dissemination of findings; development of further funding and collaboration with new partnerships. |
| Impact | BUA, A., TAYLOR, M. and GONZALEZ, S. (2018) Valuing Traditional Retail Markets: Towards a Holistic Approach13th November 2018 Invited presentation at the all Party Parliamentary Group on markets. Houses of Parliament Taylor, M, GONZÁLEZ, S and Northrop, F (2019) Building Community Markets. Published in STIR magazine, no.26, Summer 2019 https://www.stirtoaction.com/article/building-community-markets |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Power to Change |
| Organisation | Power to Change |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | In this collaboration we worked together on a publication about community and trader run markets. We held several meetings together and worked closely on a report. We have also raised awareness amongst Power to Change on the community role that markets can play. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The contributions of the Power to Change team were: connecting the project team to contacts with an interest in running community markets; participating in co-design sessions, helping to disseminate the handbook through web hosting and promotion through newsletter and social media. |
| Impact | Taylor M, Northrop F, Kiberd E, Phagoora J, Scurrah E, Power H, González S, Waley P and Wilkinson R. 2022. Trader- and community-run markets: a practical to setting up, running your market and accessing support. http://doi.org/10.5518/100/74 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Queen's Market |
| Organisation | Newham Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | - Desktop research of basic economic data and the policy context of the market. - Up to 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants (i.e. markets managers and other relevant local authority officers, traders, community groups) to understand the context and particularities of the market. In particular we will make an extra effort to recruit interviewees from organisations working with vulnerable groups to find out if and how they use TRM as part of their work. - A large 500 survey-questionnaire with customers in the market (each customer survey will last <15 minutes). This survey will be conducted between 18.02.2019 and 07.04.2019 by Fieldwork Assistance, with guidance from the research team. Before conducting the survey we will share a draft copy of the survey with Bury Council and will conduct a pilot over the course of one day in January 2019. - Spatial and geodemographic analysis of the market-user survey data. - Two focus groups with 6 regular market users in each to complement the survey data and develop a rich qualitative analysis of users' everyday life experiences of the market. - Information stalls within the market (organised by the research team). These will be held for one week towards the end of the project (provisionally Feb/March 2020) and findings from our research will be displayed in an accessible manner with copies of our outputs and project team members available for discussion with traders and market users. - Workshops/events/activities to share research findings with key actors and to explore how the research can inform the future development of the market (provisionally Feb/March 2020). - Sharing an overview of the survey data (NB: not the raw survey data) and a report on our findings pertaining to the market with Newham Council. - Provide regular updates and liaise closely with key actors (market management, traders group(s) and community groups) throughout the research process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Provide relevant background material relating to the market and the research project aims, where possible (e.g. research and policy documents). - Identify and enable key informants (e.g. market managers, other relevant local authority officers, traders and community groups) to provide interviews with the research team. - Facilitate access to the market, as necessary, for the research team and Fieldwork Assistance and disseminate information about the research amongst relevant groups (traders, members of the public, local authority, other businesses). - Liaise with the research team to agree appropriate dates and venues for data collection and for workshops, focus groups and dissemination activities. - Liaise with the research team to enable use of a market stall for the research team to share project findings through (provisionally in Feb/March 2020). - To explore with the research team and key actors the possible implications of the research findings for the future development of the market. |
| Impact | To add. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | A presentation to an international seminar organised by a University in Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I was invited by the Colegio de Mexico (a very reputable university in Mexico) to give a talk (in spanish) under the title of "The gourmetisation of cities" as part of their Internatiomal research seminar on "food and Sustainable Cities". It took place online on the 29th Sept. 695 views on youtube • Streamed live on 29 Sept 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://agenda.colmex.mx/Actividad/2516/sesion-4-gentrificacion-y-transformacion-de-paisajes-y-patro... |
| Description | Academic seminar at University of Newcastle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez was invited to give a seminar on the research Markets4People to the School of Geography at the University of Newcastle. Around 25 people attended in person and online. The purpose was to disseminate our research on markets and in particular the case study of Grainger Market. A consultant working for the council attended the meeting. The seminar was also an opportunity to connect with new colleagues working on food in Newcastle. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | An academic seminar for an Italian research centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to give an online seminar at the Gran Sasso Science Institute, Area: Social Sciences (l'Aquila, Italy) with the title: Understanding and Enhancing the Community Value of Traditional Retail Markets in UK cities, Online. Organised by the Gran Sasso Science Institute, Area: Social Sciences. This seminar was attended by the academics and posgraduate students of the institute. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.gssi.it/seminars/seminars-and-events-2021/item/15949-understanding-and-enhancing-the-com... |
| Description | An online round table discussion for local authority officers with an interest in inclusive economies, exploring how markets can support them. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | To mark the release of developing markets as community hubs for inclusive economies: a best practice handbook for market operators, Markets 4 People and CLES will be hosting a discussion event for local authority officers to explore the roles and functions of markets in community wealth building. The event will particularly focus on how markets, including those bolstered by recent town and city centre regeneration funding, can support the delivery of wide-ranging local authority priorities such as the response to the cost-of-living crisis, health improvement and inclusive economies. Who is this for? This event is aimed at local authority officers who are involved in driving community wealth building activity in their councils, spanning corporate strategy, economic development, public health and those with an interest in inclusive economies, high streets/town centres and markets. What will I learn? The event will be chaired by CLES's Chief Executive, Sarah Longlands, who will provide an overview of the role that we see for markets in supporting the development of inclusive economies and community wealth building agendas in place, and how this relates to recent government funding schemes. Markets4People's Sara González and Myfanwy Taylor will then discuss the findings of their research and the key discussion points from the best practice handbook they have developed. Together CLES and M4P will then lead a facilitated discussion amongst attendees to draw out further learning and set the parameters for future work in this area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://cles.org.uk/events/markets-as-a-tool-for-community-wealth-building/ |
| Description | Breadlines article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez contributed an article titled 'Traditional public markets and the agenda for food justice' to the food and social justice 'zine Breadlines, published by Community Centred Learning. The publication helped to widen the audience for the project and begin to engage participants in the third sector and among market campaign groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://communityknowledgecentred.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/breadlinesissue-issue1_mar19revised.pd... |
| Description | Building Community Markets - STIR magazine no.26, Summer 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Myfnawy Taylor, Sara Gonzalez and Frances Northrop published an article in STIR magazine, explaining how trader and community campaigns and initiatives offer insights into an emerging alternative approach to the improvement and redevelopment of traditional retail markets. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Campaigners' workshop 12/11/18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | On Monday 12 November, 17 market campaigners from London and beyond attended a workshop led by Myfanwy Taylor and Sara Gonzalez. This workshop mirrored similar discussions with market managers and traders which we are undertaking alongside interviews with key actors shaping the national debate on markets in the UK. While we are able to hold workshops with managers and traders at their respective national conferences, there is currently no analogous national-level network or organisation representing campaigners. We therefore convened a dedicated meeting for market campaigners, building on and updating contacts and connections built through previous research. We asked campaigners for their views on the community value of markets, the key features of traditional retail markets, the main threats to community value, and their ideas about how to enhance it. The insights shared will feed into our analysis and publications in the later stages of the project. After the workshop, campaigners stayed on to explore how they might work together in the future, including by participating (with the help of the London community network Just Space) in the upcoming Examination of the new London Plan, engaging with the new London Markets Board and forming a platform for community markets. Such activities could play a role in making links between the key actors presently shaping the debate on markets in the UK, and the wide range of organisations and actors whose goals and aims markets contribute to. We will therefore be exploring how we can support greater networking amongst market campaigners through the latter stages of this research project as well as more generally. At the time of writing, Principal Investigator Sara Gonzalez has received confirmation of funding to initiate such a network and help campaigners to make their voices heard in national debates. A summary of the discussion has been published on the project blog (see link) and sent to all participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/campaigners-perspectives-on-the-community-value-of-markets/ |
| Description | Conversation article: Why local markets are key to reviving our locked down town centres |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Sara Gonzalez and Dr Paul Waley co-authored an article, arguing that markets can play a key role in the economic and social recovery from coronavirus, which was published in The Conversation on 12th June 2020. The article was reposted as a guest blog on the Sustain (The alliance for better food and farming) website 25/06/20: https://www.sustainweb.org/blogs/jun20_markets_covid_recovery/. Ruth Westcott (Climate and Nature Emergency and Sustainable Fish Cities Co-ordinator, Sustain) also got in touch to request further information about the research and how it might relate to Sustain's work to present the economic benefits of small food enterprises, including markets. Related to this, Our research on the social value of markets was referenced in a letter to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-recovery-why-local-markets-are-key-to-reviving-our-locked-do... |
| Description | Ethical Consumer Week 2020: Creating a community high street |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Sara González took part in the session 'Creating a community high street' as part of Ethical Consumer Week 2020. Also presenting and responding to delegates' questions were Neil McInroy (CEO, CLES), Vidhya Alakeson (founding Chief Executive of Power to Change) and Nicola Round (Co-Founder and Outreach Director at Adfree Cities). The session sought to address questions such as 'should we fight to maintain the high street as we have come to know it? Or do we need to replace it with something else that is community owned and has a community function?' and sought to counter narratives of high street decline by highlighting examples of community value being cultivated across the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/UmUhALopOM4 |
| Description | FoQM and Newham Council collaboration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | In adopting Queen's Market in the London Borough of Newham as a case study, the project team has supported the campaign group 'Friends of Queen's Market' (FoQM) to improve dialogue with the operator, Newham Council, in order to address ongoing disputes, problems and concerns. This has led to the following outcomes: - In July 2019 FoQM submitted a letter to the Mayor of Newham Council(, as suggested by project PDRA Myfanwy Taylor. The letter seeks answers to a number of questions relating to the site allocation, feasibility study, consultation on the future of the market and latest updates. It includes a list of questions and concerns relating to the basic management of the market, backed up with evidence. Twenty-one traders (an unprecedented number!) signed the letter. FoQM members commented that they would not have written to the Mayor if they had not taken part in the project. - The project reignited interest in forming a trader cooperative for Queen's Markets or, as Taylor suggested, a trader-customer cooperative. After the presentation of findings for Queen's Market to stakeholders on 13/02/2020, the Regeneration Consultant confirmed that he would, in future, be attending traders' meetings and that the Regeneration Team would support traders by considering their wishes, including their interest in forming a cooperative. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Independent article 11/11/19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Myfanwy Taylor is quoted in the Independent article 'Mercato: The firm hoping to bring a food revolution to Mayfair; Market inside a grade-I listed church will host food stalls, a grocery store and a brewery (Hazel Sheffield, 6th Nov 2019). The quote adds balance and context to an article focusing on the developing trend for independent artisan food markets. Taylor notes that introduction of a food offer in traditional markets can, if done in collaboration with traders and in consultation with customers, bring benefits and diversify traditional markets. However, she adds that more often the introduction of a food market can indirectly lead to the displacement of traditional traders. It "is not normally a matter of traditional traders being evicted directly, but this often happens through long-term neglect of aspects of the markets, when traders eventually go, or through a redevelopment project," she says. "As the more 'traditional' traders go so tend to go the customers. This can lead to a loss of sense of place of markets for many people, including the elderly and low-income groups. So it can lead to gentrification." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/mercato-metropolitano-food-hall-mayfair-london-stea... |
| Description | Interview for BBC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an interview with the BBC Business and Consumer Correspondent Coletta Smith. The interview was arranged by the University of Leeds Communications Teams after we press released findings from our case study Markets. Sara Gonzalez was interviewed in Preston and the Chief Executive of the NMTF was also interviewed. The story was published on the BBC News website on he 6th of June and a TV piece went out on BBC Breakfast, BBC World, the News Channel and BBC News at One on BBC1 on the 6th of June |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57323862 |
| Description | Interview for national news |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited to the Radio 4 programme "Your and Yous" to speak about traditional retail markets. The piece in the radio programme was constructed around a policy briefing that we had released within this project. The piece involved short interviews done by a radio interviewer in a market and then a live interview with myself and Graham Wilson from the National Association of British Authorities. The piece is describe din the You and Yours website as "Markets are popular with people who like bargains, and the experience of immersing themselves in the character of the original shopping centre, but cuts to council budgets means that many of these characterful of institutions face closure" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fd1x |
| Description | Invited panelist at online workshop "How can we build community wealth through food and farming"? Sustain Food charity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Participation at a webinar organsied by the Food charity Sustain to link up the concept of "community wealth building" to food. I was one of 4 presenters. It was an online seminar and around 150 attended. The presentation sparked questions and contributions from the participants. Traditional retail markets are not often linked to food policy efforts in the UK, so this was a step into promoting them. The presentation also furthered my links with he organisation Sustain |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.sustainweb.org/webinars/dec21-using-food-to-build-community-wealth |
| Description | Keynote at a markets industry conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez was invited to give a keynote at the Annual National Market Traders Federation Conference, which took place in Blackpool on the 11th of April 2022. In this occasion we launched the Handbook for market operators with best practice on how to operate markets as community hubs for inclusive economies. Around 100 traders, market operators and local authority officers attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nmtf.co.uk/mt/MarketTimesJune2022/files/basic-html/page22.html |
| Description | Keynote at a national markets industry conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Myfanwy Taylor was invited to give a keynote talk at the National Association of British Market Authorities January conference. She launched our practical guide for trader and community-led markets. The conference as attended by around 100 practitioners, mostly market operators. At the event there was a lot of interest in our work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Managers' workshops 17/09/18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez and Myfanwy Taylor held two workshops as part of the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon. We wanted to understand market managers' perspectives on the community value of markets and how it can be enhanced, the key features of traditional retail markets and the role of local authorities. Around 30 market managers attended the two workshops, bringing their experience and insights from the local authority sector, private operators, charitable trusts and the wider industry. These discussions confirmed the variety and diversity within the UK markets sector, revealing a wide range of understandings about the community value of traditional retail markets held by market managers working in different places and organisations. The two workshops included participants from Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Borough Market, Bury Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Cirencester Town Council, Covent Garden Market Authority, Geraud Markets, Grimsby, Kirklees Council, Limerick Milk Market, Manchester City Council, Mid Devon District Council, Northampton Borough Council, Northumberland County Council, Oswestry Town Council, Real Deal, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Stockport, Wendy Fair Markets and Wyre Council. Approximately half asked to be added to the project mailing list, to receive updates on the project's progress, findings and future events and many supplied feedback on the event and additional comments relating to the discussion topics. After the workshops, a blog post summarising the discussion was published on the projject website (see link) and this was circulated by NABMA to their members in an email saying "At a time when many local market authorities are reassessing their resources and the value of their service provision it may be useful for you to quote particular factors from this report to your elected members and fellow officers". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/market-managers-perspectives/ |
| Description | Market Times article Feb 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | An article was published in the February 2019 edition of the monthly traders' magazine 'Market Times' to provide an update on the research project, which had featured in previous articles and been presented at trader events. This helped to achieve a high rate of participation in a workshop for traders at the NMTF 2019 annual conference (one of the activities foregrounded in the article) as well as building awareness of the project more generally and raising its profile among this stakeholder group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.nmtf.co.uk/mt/MarketTimesFebruary2019/#p=28 |
| Description | Meeting with market campaigners 23/07/18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Myfanwy Taylor and Sara Gonzalez gave a brief presentation on the research project to ten market campaigners, after which there was in-depth discussion, in particular about campaigners' understandings of the community value of markets. Campaigners were invited individually and also more broadly through social media and by publicizing the event through relevant networks. There were some brief general updates from groups (on progress with their campaigns) before the discussion quickly returned to the research project and how it could be useful to market campaigners. This allowed campaigners to have a say on their preferred modes of engagement with the project and where they would like to have an input (e.g. commenting on the draft customer survey before it is finalised) and also suggest ways in which the research team could support their activities and extend the project's impact. For instance, the campaigners wanted advice and support to engage with the new London Markets Board and the London Plan, and also felt that they would benefit from support to build a campaigners' network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | NABMA London and South Regional Meeting 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 30th July 2021 Dr Myfanwy Taylor presented a summary of research findings from our three case study markets at NABMA's London and South Regional Meeting. The presentation highlighted key findings common to the three markets, such as their importance to lower-income communities, whilst reflecting on each market's strengths, challenges and unique qualities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/new-evidence-for-the-community-value-of-markets/ |
| Description | NMTF Conference 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Team members manned a stall presenting the research project at this industry conference (attended by approx 150 delegates) and gave a short presentation to introduce the project and ecourage delegates to make contact. On the stall, visitors were able to read relevant publications by members of the team, chat about the project and access further information. Those engaged included a mixture of "traditional" traders, newer traders from niche/specialist markets, local authority officials and private operators. A project-specific question ('how can we measure the community value of traditional markets?') was added to the debate session at the end of the conference and this generated considerable engagement and enthusiasm, with participants identifying some key ways of evidencing community value (e.g. through the scale of campaigns and stats to demonstrate the ethnic mix of market users). It also highlighted a need to be more specific about how we are using key terms such as 'community' and this will help to improve our engagement and dissemination in later stages of the project. Approximately 15 delegates asked to be included on the project mailing list and provided feedback on our questions about the most undervalued aspects of markets. Several of these delegates expressed a keen interest in taking part. Attendance at the event helped to indicate several potential interviewees for WP1 and WP2 and also shed light on two potential case-study markets. The event also provided an opportunity to bring the project to the attention of National Policy Makers, as it was attended by Jim Fitzpatrick MP, who is chair of the All Party Parliamenary Group for Markets. As a consequence, the project was highlighted on the agenda of the subsequent APPMG meeting. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Participation in a panel on the impact of COVID on markets organised by the municipality of Lima |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to participate in a panel discsusion on Markets and COVID-19 organised by the Municipality of Lima, Peru. Online. 15th May 2021 . 378 views • Premiered on 15 May 2020 • |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.ecosad.org/index.php/en/the-joomla-project/149-webinar-internacional |
| Description | Participation in the Pilot Community Improvement Districts Advisory Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez has been invited to form part of the Advisory Board of the Community Improvement Districts pilot scheme in the UK. So far, this has involved a meeting with the rest of the Advisory Board, which includes around 10 people and is managed by Power to People. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.powertochange.org.uk/news/five-new-community-improvement-districts/ |
| Description | Presentation at Save Latin Village event 29/10/18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | On 29th October 2018, Sara Gonzalez and Myfanwy Taylor formed part of a panel of speakers at an event organised by the Wards Corer Community Coalition. The Seven Sisters/Pueblito Paisa market at Wards Corner is a vital community hub for Latin American Londoners but has been under threat for over 10 years. The Secretary of State is currently considering CPO powers which will potentially allow the developer, Grainger plc, to assemble the final land to begin development. Meanwhile there are serious allegations against the market operator appointed by Transport for London. The event, aimed at campaigners and the market's community asked attendees to consider the questions 'What can we do to ensure that this vital community asset is retained? What are the roles of the various authorities; Tfl, the Mayor of London and Haringey Council? How do we hold them to account?'. Taylor and Gonzalez' involvement helped to strengthen the project's connections and networks with market campaign groups, which is one of the key stakeholder groups we aim to connect with and benefit through our research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wards-corner-save-latin-village-tickets-51373924792# |
| Description | Presentation at a workshop on Community Wealth building and food |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez was invited by Sustain (food charity/advocating organisation) together with other 3 people/organisations to give a talk about how can we build Community Wealth Building through food and farming. The event took place on the 25th of January of 2022 online and I was told by the organisers that over 250 had registsred for it. Around 150 did participate in the online event. My presentation sparked comments on the chat box and direct questions and subsequently I got approached by two people to do further presentations. The event has also consolidated by relationship with Sustain, who are supporting markets as part of their campaign diversify the food retail landscape. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.sustainweb.org/blogs/feb22-community-wealth-building-through-food/ |
| Description | Presentation to APPMG 13/11/18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Adrian Bua, Myfanwy Tayor and Sara Gonzalez gave a presentation on the research project and it's policy briefing 'Valuing Tradition Retail Markets: Towards a Holistic Approach' at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group (APPMG) on 13th November 2018. The briefing proposes new ideas to decision-makers for how to measure the holistic economic, social and cultural value of traditional retail markets in the UK and was strongly endorsed at the meeting by the Chief Executives of the National Market Traders' Federation (our Co-Is) and the National Association of British Market Authorities, with the latter stating that this was one of the most important research projects the sector had had and that it had real potential to make the case for markets at national policy level. The meeting was attended by MPs, civil servants, public and private market operators, academic researchers an industry experts. Afterwards, a copy of the policy briefing and details of the presentation were circulated to all MPs in the APPMG, along with the minutes. the project team expressed its eagerness to maintain communication with the APPMG and share findings. To coincide with the launch, the policy briefing was promoted through the project website, social media, NMTF's e-bulletin to members and an article in the industry publication Market Times. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/report-launch/ |
| Description | Presentation to Yorkshire Markets Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Myfanwy Taylor gave a presentation of the research project to the Yorkshire Markets Forum, chaired by project Co-I NMTF. The aim for this activity was to increase awareness of our research, engage with potential case-study markets and to makecontact with market managers and operators to foreground the option of participating in the project through workshops.The presentation was followed by a discussion around how markets identify, measure and utilise community value and Q&A about the project. Attendees responded enthusiastically in the discussion session and several expressed an interest in hearing more about the project as it progresses. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation to a seminar on Popular Economy orgfansied by a university in Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to present at a seminar (online) organised by the prestigious Colegio de Mexico as part of their Seminar on Citizenship and Popular economy in Mexico. My talk was titled " Traditional Markets in the UK. Challenges, organisation and struggles by market traders (In Spanish)". It took place on the 20th May 2021. 324 views on youtube • Streamed live on 20 May 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://agenda.colmex.mx/Actividad/2372/ciudadania-y-economia-popular-en-mexico-y-el-mundo-i/2021052... |
| Description | Presentations to case study market stakeholders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Members of the research team gave presentations of findings gathered through interviews with key figures, surveys of market users and focus groups with selected market users for each of our three case study markets (Grainger Market - 16/12/19; Bury Market - 12/02/20; Queen's Market - 13/02/20). The presentations were hosted by the local authority operators and attended by the market managers and other council members and officers, with a view to promoting a 'whole-of-council' approach. Trader representatives and NMTF staff also attended as did community group members in the case of Queen's Market. As well as sharing data and analysis, the research team used the presentations as an opportunity to make recommendations, based on these findings. After the presentations, the team welcomed feedback and promised to address any issues raised when developing the presentations into full reports. OUTCOMES Queen's Market After the presentation of findings for Queen's Market to stakeholders on 13/02/2020, the Regeneration Consultant confirmed that he would, in future, be attending traders' meetings and that the Regeneration Team would support traders by considering their wishes, including their interest in forming a cooperative. Furthermore, the council was keen to continue the dialogue with the research team and learn from its other two case studies. He added: "We also thought it was a positive and productive discussion and would like the dialogue to continue. Just to reiterate this research from Markets 4 People has been very insightful into how and why people shop at Queens Market. This will certainly benefit the programme for Green Street and will support the various work streams outlined in the Cabinet Report." Bury Market The market manager thanked the team for an excellent presentation with some really interesting results and commented that it had raised the profile of the market within the Council, tying in with the work of in the cross-party Task and Finish group, which was formed to consider options for the market and funding possibilities. He added: "I'm convinced your work has focused the Councillors as to the value of the market to the Town Centre as a whole." Grainger Market Trader representatives told us: "We welcome the report & its findings, and we welcome particularly the evidence for the community value and about how much customers care about the Grainger Market and it's history, which didn't surprise us as we, as traders, have first have experience of this value. We hope the data can be used for the benefit of its current users as well as for potential future users." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Project Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A project website was created as a way of engaging potential participants and sharing outcomes from the project as it progresses. Separate pages have been created for the various stakeholder groups we wish to connect with. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Quoted in Times article on Seven Sisters Market 06/05/19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Myfanwy Taylor and Frances Northrop (Co-I, New Economics Foundation) were quoted in an article regarding the campaign to save Seven Sisters Market in London. They provided a counterargument to claims regarding the redevelopment being proposed by Haringey Council and Grainger PLC and bring the concerns of campaigners and traders to the fore. This helped to raise the profile of the campaign, shortly before the campaign team were due to submit their alternative Community Plan for redevelopment of the market to a Council Scrutiny Review Panel. The same journalist also invited team members to comment on other market regeneration plans in London, e.g. https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/mercato-metropolitano-food-hall-mayfair-london-steamy-and-co-startup-a9187011.html |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/seven-sisters-market-traders-want-to-do-it-for-themselves-ssggppc... |
| Description | Report launch article in Market Times Dec 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A short article was published in the December 2018 edition of the monthly traders' magazine 'Market Times' to promote the launch of the team's policy briefing 'Valuing Traditional Retail Markets: Towards a Holistic approach'. This helped to achieve our aim of disseminating project outcomes to as wide an audience as possible. Hopefully, it will also lead to increased participation in the Traders' workshop which will be held at the NMTF conference in April 2018 as well as builing awareness of the project more generally. One outcome is that, having read the article, the team was contacted by the Chief Executive of Acton West London which set up Acton Market as a social enterprise. This created the opportunity for the team to learn more about Acton's market model and the way in which it creates community value by fostering social cohesion and creating self-employed opportunities. AWL see the market as a way to provide a valuable and badly needed service to low income, marginalised and vulnerable communities, whilst also serving more affluent residents. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.nmtf.co.uk/mt/MarketTimesDecember2018/#p=15 |
| Description | Research quoted in an article of New Statesman |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our research findings were quoted in an article on markets of a major magazine, The New Statesman, which has a circulation of Average magazine circulation is now over 41,000. The journalist writing the piece contacted Sara Gonzalez and asked for quotes in relation to our research. The articles focuses on a parrticular street market in London but our research is mentioned to put this issue within a wider national framwork. When the journalist got in touch she said "I reference your brilliant research at the start to frame this as a national issue (email from May Robson 11/01/2021) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.newstatesman.com/britains-lost-spaces/2022/02/the-battle-for-britains-vanishing-food-mar... |
| Description | The Future of London's Street Markets conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A conference on The Future of London's Street Markets was organised by Saif Osmani (Friends of Queens Market), Mama D (Community Centred Knowledge) and Just Space, with support from the Markets4People team and impact funding provided by the University of Leeds' School of Geography. The conference was attended by around 70 people coming from market campaigns, resident and community groups, universities and local authorities. In comparison to many other market events held in the UK, this conference stood out as much more diverse in terms of age, ethnicity and race. There were representatives from several markets across London: Seven Sisters, Shepherds Bush, Elephant and Castle, Brixton, Lambeth, City of Westminster, Islington, Queens Market in Newham, Lewisham, Acton Market (West London) and Chatsworth Road Market. Crucially, however, the conference did not only involve people working directly on markets (whether in campaigns, as traders or operators) but also market users and community groups that are passionate but also concerned about the future of street markets in London. This Street markets conference hoped to be an inclusive space for all voices. The majority of participants expressed the need to organise and connect the different markets and their customers across London. Many for whom markets were not their main working or campaigning space explained that the day had been an important learning experience and that they had been surprised by how markets connected to so many issues; the general feeling was that of concern for markets but also hope from the coming together of so many different people around similar ideas about the value of street markets in London. The conference was not a one-off event and there is still funding to organise two more events and produce a report, all of which will take place from September. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/the-future-of-londons-street-markets-conference/ |
| Description | Trader workshop at NMTF conference 08/04/19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We held a workshop with traders on the community value of markets at the NMTF Conference in Hull . More than 30 traders participated in the workshop, bringing their experiences from a wide range of fairs, indoor and outdoor markets across the UK. The workshop confirmed that markets are more than economic spaces for the traders who earn their livings there. The discussions powerfully communicated traders' pride and passion for the quality, value and customer service they provide, and the contribution markets make to reducing loneliness, improving mental health and supporting vulnerable people. The workshop also produced useful suggestions for how to enhance community value, in particular by improving transport connections and re-introducing housing to town centres; professional partnership working between operators and traders; improvements to the market environment, such as adding more benches and holding events to encourage social interaction; and, importantly, retaining connections between food and retail traders (in particular through redevelopment schemes) in order to ensure benefits continue to flow between the two. One participant, who now manages five markets on behalf of his local council, said that he had quoted materials produced by the research team to convince the council that the value of markets is more than economic. Workshop participants made several suggestions for improvements traders could make themselves, for example selling unique, artisan and personalised products; offering products which appealed to young people; getting together to offer packaged meal kits; using less plastic; using social media; providing excellent customer service; and continuing to adapt and evolve. The main proposition put forward for enhancing community value, however, was for improved professional partnership working between operators and traders (a small number of participants also added a third actor, communities). Our blog post about the workshop was reposted on the ESRC Urban Transformations blog at https://www.urbantransformations.ox.ac.uk/blog/2019/traders-perspectives-on-the-community-value-of-markets/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://trmcommunityvalue.leeds.ac.uk/traders-perspectives-on-the-community-value-of-markets/ |
| Description | Twitter Account |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Twitter account @Markets4People was created as a means of engagement and dissemination for the project and as a research tool to identify relevant initiatives, industry trends, news stories and research. Using this account, the project has become a regular contributor to the weekly Twitter chat hosted by @MarketHour and a way of reaching out to its >1500 followers who are predominantly market traders and operators across the UK. Use of the platform has allowed us to establish first contact with a number of atakeholders who have gone on to become more directly involved with the project as participants. It has also raised the profile of the project and helped us to share our aims and outcomes with a much wider audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/markets4people |
| Description | Unconference workshop, 10th International Public Markets Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Sara Gonzalez and Myfanwy Taylor hosted an Unconference workshop on 'Researching the Community Benefits of Public Markets'.at the 10th International Public Markets Conference on Friday 7th June. The session was attended by market operators, traders, public sector staff, researchers and third sector organisations from around the world. Some campaigners, traders and private operators fed into the discussion via Twitter, as did the author of Levenshulme Market's social value audit, Nikala Torkington, who seemed keen to be involved in other outputs or impact work on measuring social value. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |