Our Real Living Wage Commitment

At Castlepoint Markets Ltd, we are committed to creating a fair, inclusive, and sustainable working environment across all areas of our business. A key part of this commitment is our support for the Real Living Wage.

The Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate that is voluntarily paid by employers and independently calculated based on the actual cost of living. Unlike the government’s National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, the Real Living Wage takes into account what people need to meet everyday essentials such as housing, energy, food, transport, and childcare. It ensures that employees are not just surviving but are able to live with dignity and security.

We believe that people are at the heart of Castlepoint Markets – from our dedicated staff to the traders, contractors, and suppliers who make our markets thrive. Supporting the Real Living Wage is not only the right thing to do ethically, but it also helps create a stronger, more motivated workforce. It improves staff wellbeing, reduces turnover, and fosters long-term, productive relationships between employers and employees.

As a responsible organisation, we therefore expect all of our direct employees to be paid at least the Real Living Wage, and we strongly encourage and expect the same from all of our suppliers, subcontractors, and partners. By aligning with this standard, we ensure that everyone contributing to Castlepoint Markets benefits from fair treatment and pay that reflects the real cost of living.

Our stance on the Real Living Wage also supports wider social value objectives. Markets are at the heart of local communities, and by paying fair wages, we contribute to stronger local economies and healthier, more resilient communities. It is a step towards tackling in-work poverty and inequality, both of which are essential to sustainable growth.

We will continue to engage with our suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that they understand the importance of the Real Living Wage and to support them in moving towards this standard wherever possible. By working together, we can help build a culture of fairness and respect across the supply chain, where everyone is valued for their contribution.

Castlepoint Markets is proud to support the Real Living Wage and to stand alongside thousands of other responsible employers across the UK who share this commitment. We see it not only as a wage rate, but as a badge of responsibility and fairness – one that reflects our values and the standards we want to set for the future.

For more information on the Real Living Wage, please visit: www.livingwage.org.uk