A team of academics from the University of Greenwich is presenting research to MPs on the value of traditional markets this week.
The team, from the university's Faculty of Business will present their findings to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Markets at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 13 November.
Early findings of an international survey of market traders and visitors to markets show that markets in England and France are not making the best of the visitor economy.
Dr Andres Coca-Stefaniak, Associate Professor in Tourism and Events at the university and co-investigator on the GO TRADE project said: "Vibrant markets remain key to the viability and attractiveness of our town centres and their visitor economy. They have a clear economic value for smaller towns but also offer a key social binding element for communities in larger cities."
On Tuesday 13 November, Associate Professor Coca-Stefaniak (pictured) and his colleagues - Professor Ieromonachou, Dr Fanny Paschek and Dr Claire Papaix – will be presenting early finings of this research to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Markets on Tuesday 13 November.
Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of NMTF, said: "We are delighted that the team from Greenwich are able to share the initial findings of this research with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Markets and to demonstrate that markets on both sides of the Channel have a significant role to play in the future of our communities and high streets. Our work with the GO TRADE project partnership will provide practical help to traders as well as capitalise on the opportunities presented by the changing face of retail and new experiences consumers are looking for."
The survey is designed and managed by the University of Greenwich in conjunction with the NMTF (previously known as the National Market Traders Federation) as part of the £4.8 million GO TRADE project. It is co-funded by the European Union and led by Professor Petros Ieromonachou.
Over the next two years, the GO TRADE project will be developing business support packages for market stall holders to enhance their competitiveness and service offer, but also encourage the use of markets as incubators for entrepreneurship and innovative business practices. The GO TRADE project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VA cross-border (England- France) programme.
For more information on the GO TRADE project, see: https://www.gre.ac.uk/business/research/centres/ccrg/go-trade
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