Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids joins forces with Trading Standards in the Real Deal Scheme

15th May 2017

MFR Cash for Kids Charity Car Boot Sale is the latest recruit to be signed up by Highland Council Trading Standards to join the Real Deal scheme. The scheme was launched six years ago in a bid to stamp out the illegal trade in fake goods at markets and to ensure businesses are fully compliant with the relevant laws.

Organisations throughout the UK have signed up to the Real Deal markets' charter, a nationwide initiative that encourages local authority Trading Standards and market operators to work closely together and share information so that local markets and car boot sales remain free from counterfeit goods and are a safe environment in which to shop and trade.

The Real Deal logo is a sign for good practice and ensures traders selling counterfeit goods such as clothing, handbags, perfume, cigarettes and DVDs will not be allowed to participate at the venue. The logo will be displayed at the car boot sale on the 21st May at the Black isle Show Ground which indicates to visitors and the traders selling at the car boot sale that the charity abides by the terms of the charter and in agreement with Trading Standards.

David MacKenzie, Trading Standards Manager at The Highland Council, said: "Officers from the Trading Standards team carry out regular inspections of local car boot sales and markets and also investigate online sales. They work with all kinds of businesses helping to promote good practice, raise standards and keep abreast of the latest legislation. This ensures consumers can continue to have a high level of confidence when buying from such venues. We are delighted that Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids have agreed to demonstrate their commitment to protecting consumers by signing up to the Real Deal."

Lyndsay Rose Charity Manager for MFR adds: "By signing the Real Deal Charter we are giving an assurance to the public that they can shop at the car boot sale with confidence that we will only allow stalls selling safe and genuine products. By signing the Real Deal Charter, we can assure visitors and reputable stall holders that this is a fake-free zone. This also sends a clear message to counterfeit sellers who may try to sell at the car boot sale that they are not welcome".

Patricia Lennon, coordinator of the Real Deal scheme nationally said: "We are delighted to welcome The Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids Charity Car Boot Sale to the Real Deal programme. This is a demonstration of the long-term commitment by Highland Council Trading Standards, working in partnership with local organisations, to ensure events such as this offer a great day out for the local community and are fake-free in order to protect shoppers, traders and local businesses from the harm caused by the trade in counterfeit goods."

The Real Deal campaign is a cross-sector, partnership initiative, bringing together local authority trading standards services, market operators and traders, industry groups, and copyright and trademark owners, all of whom are united with a common commitment to tackling this problem.

If you wish to report the selling of counterfeit goods please contact Trading Standards in confidence on 01463 228700 or fill out the on-line form -www.highland.gov.uk/forms/form/143/report_counterfeit_goods