NABMA’s Great British Market Awards 2024 celebrated outstanding achievement around the country
New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) has been named Best Wholesale Market at the Great British Market Awards 2024.
The event, which took place in Birmingham on 25 January, is run by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). The win for NCGM comes at the start of a year when the market will be building up to the golden anniversary of its relocation from Covent Garden to Nine Elms.
The judging panel chose NCGM for its rich history, environmental best practices and outstanding support of independent food businesses in London and the south east of England. Announcing the award, David Preston, chief executive of NABMA, said: “[New Covent Garden Market] facilitates the connection between retail and catering businesses across the southeast of England.
“Leading towards 2027 it seeks to work with its traders, their many customers and the local community to deliver a better working and shopping environment for all. It is a proud London institution and claims it will soon be able to boast it is the oldest and newest market site in the country.”
Gary Marshall, chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants Association (CGTA), said: “This is fantastic recognition for everyone at our market in what is a particularly momentous year. CGTA has been celebrating its 100th anniversary and we’ll also be holding a dinner/dance in November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the relocation of our great market from Covent Garden to Nine Elms.
“It is testament to the continued passion, commitment and expertise of every trader here that we can say we were the market leader a century ago, the market leader 50 years ago and we’re still the market leader now.”
Jo Breare, general manager of Covent Garden Market Authority, the landlord and management company at NCGM, added: “Congratulations to everyone who works at NCGM – this is an award that recognises the hard work and dedication of the entire market community.
“We are working alongside our tenants to establish the platform for a market that is steeped in history and heritage to write many new chapters as the premium fruit, vegetable and flower hub for London, a position it has held for almost a millennium. In 2024, a plethora of activities are planned to highlight the market reaching 50 years in Nine Elms and we’re so pleased to be celebrating that milestone as the Best Wholesale Market in Britain.”
Outstanding markets honoured
Elsewhere at the Great British Market Awards, examples of outstanding work around the country were honoured.
Britain’s Favourite Market was named as Shrewsbury Indoor Market, which “demonstrated overwhelming support from the public and affirmed its position as a unique and vibrant destination within the town”.
The NABMA Outstanding Market Achievement Award went to London’s Borough Market for its “longstanding commitment to excellence”. The tourist destination near Tower Bridge was described as a beacon of sustainable food production and community connectivity.
Another London market, Broadway Market in Hackney, was named Best Food Market.
Other winners on the night were:
- Best Large Indoor Market - Swansea Indoor Market
- Best Small Indoor Market - Darlington Market
- Best Large Outdoor Market - St Albans Outdoor Market
- Best Small Outdoor Market - Causeway Speciality Outdoor Market
- Best Community/Parish Market - South Molton County Pannier Market
- Best Large Speciality Market - York Christmas Market and Stratford upon Avon Christmas Market (joint award)
- Best Small Speciality Market - Open Art Market and Petticoat Lane Food Court (joint award)
- Best Market Attraction - Bolton Food and Drink Festival and Belfast Christmas Market (joint award)
- Highly Commended - Bilston Indoor Market, Skipton Outdoor Market, Watford Indoor Market, Bridlington King Street Market, Hovingham Outdoor Market, Ross-on-Wye Christmas Fayre.
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