Geraud Markets UK Ltd

The philosophy of the Company is partnership, investment and longevity. Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd is committed to achieving, in partnership with local authorities and others, the provision and maintenance of top quality markets which meet the modern day consumers’ aspirations and which are able to compete effectively in an expanding retail sector.

Public Private Sector Partnerships
Local authorities are, with only a few exceptions, Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd’s main clients as they primarily control most general town and city centre markets and market rights. The protection and maintenance of local authority markets rights is a keystone of our policy in order to promote capital and manpower investment. The vision and innovation demonstrated by the Company has led to an increasing client base both in long term contracts and in the speciality market field and the Company has been successful in achieving a number of important contracts within the United Kingdom.

The prime aims of the Company are to:
Provide and continually improve quality services to our customers and stakeholders, to enhance markets' traditional strength of variety, vibrancy and value for money

Identify and respond to the changing needs and expectations of our customers and stakeholders

Promote accessibility to the market

Develop responsive and responsible staff through support, training and development

Contribute to promoting Community Health and well being, in particular ensuring that markets contribute to the life of the community

Treat all customers and stakeholders with equal respect

Compliment the Town Centre retail strategies and shopping provision

Contribute to the town centre’s wider environmental regeneration and business development strategies

Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd is capable of undertaking any development in relation to markets and all forms of outdoor trade, such as design and construction of new facilities, refurbishment of existing facilities and promotion of outdoor trading, including marketing and advertising. The Group currently manages publicity budgets within the contracts it oversees and has dedicated marketing professionals to ensure expenditure is kept to a minimum whist exposure is maximised.

The core activity, focused on markets, has progressively extended to various additional services to local authorities in relation to the development of local trade and promotion of town centre trading. Successful markets have always been vital components of coherent town centre redevelopment schemes.

In the course of its activities Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd has often encountered the problems created by increased traffic and parking, crucial aspects of trading development in town centres. We have addressed such problems not with the perspective of a builder who is usually more concerned with the construction of the facility than with its subsequent management, but as a town planner, concerned with the relationship between local business, traffic and parking.

Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd assumes that the success of any scheme that could be put forward in relation to the City markets will essentially depend on the interaction between town planning and market redevelopment and management. We are frequently invited to assist local authorities in their urban land management functions.

The technical and financial capabilities and the human resources of the Group enable it to provide the best possible service at every stage of its operations. The fundamental tenets of the ethos of Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd are longevity, partnership and investment.

Consultancy
In addition to the management of local authority market contracts the Company has been engaged in consultancy advice on various issues relating to town centre management, urban development and the future development of markets for a number of local authorities throughout the UK.

Speciality Markets and Events
The Company has extensive experience in the delivery of speciality markets, and as well as providing a unique shopping experience for local residents and visitors, seeks to add significant value to town centres by creating life, colour and vibrancy. The Company also offers a range of wider economic benefits to local businesses. The aim here is to compliment the Town Centre retail shopping strategies.

Senior Personnel Profiles
The English Group of companies has been lead by Frederic Bonnet, Managing Director, since its creation. He has been working closely with local authorities in France and in the UK for more than 10 years.

Andy Burnett is the Company’s Chief Executive. Andy has more than 24 years market experience gained within the Private Sector and was formally the General Manager of Market Master who were the operators of the 65,000 Sq Ft indoor Market Hall in Glasgow. He moved South to become the Chief Executive of Wellington Market Company Plc and Town & Country Markets. He joined the Geraud Group in 2001 as UK Chief Executive and has been instrumental in moving the Group forward in both the Public and Private sector including the acquisition of the Inshops Group of companies in 2004.

Tony Fraser joined Geraud Markets from Liverpool City Council where he was latterly responsible for project managing the delivery of several important and innovative public – private sector joint venture partnerships which included both blue and white collar Council services.

Tony is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and prior to joining Liverpool City Council’s Estates department in 1991, gained considerable and varied experience in the private sector both in the UK and abroad.

During his time with Liverpool, Tony was involved in delivering the Council’s modernisation agenda. His experience there ranged from the management of a number of operational service areas as well as the delivery of several key strategic initiatives.

Tony has brought to the company an experience and understanding of the complexity of establishing long term relationships which are capable of meeting the often very different aspirations of the public and private sectors. With that experience, Tony has reinforced the company’s ability to deliver such relationships, firmly believing in the company’s ethos that public-private partnerships succeed only when there is a firm foundation of trust, understanding and mutual respect from both parties.

Andrew Grimshaw has over 15 years of event management and marketing experience, mainly in the public sector. Most recently, he was responsible for establishing and developing a large scale festivals programme for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, which attracted large annual attendances and were regional tourist attractions for the borough.

He worked extensively with Town Centre and Markets Management and in partnership with the local Shopping Centre Management to develop a range of urban events designed to meet regenerative needs whilst contributing to the Local Authority’s Corporate Priorities. These included music festivals, carnivals, festive programmes, one off promotional events and of course markets. All of which were designed to offer peripheral activity for the town centres to increase footfall and stimulate the local economy.

The Company exists to be of assistance to you. If you would like an informal chat or wish to discuss any aspects relating to markets/special events, please contact either Andy Burnett, Tony Fraser and Andrew Grimshaw.