The market, which has been undergoing substantial redevelopment, received the award at the NABMA Conference
New Covent Garden Market has been crowned Britain’s Best Wholesale Market 2026.
The award was bestowed upon the London site during a ceremony at the NABMA Conference in Birmingham, and presented by Julia Buckley, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group.
The market’s diverse mix of tenants registered a combined turnover of around £944 million and employed in excess of 2,500 people last year, and the site in the midst of a substantial redevelopment programme that includes a new food, drink and flower quarter for London.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that the market has been awarded this honour for 2026,” said Wanda Goldwag, chair of Covent Garden Market Authority. “The wholesale market sector continues to be crucial to the food and floral supply chains across the UK and to be recognised as best in class at a time when we are making major upgrades and equipping our tenants for the future is especially gratifying.
“Thank you to the panel of judges and to NABMA for managing the award. It means a lot for a sector that often hides its brilliance under a bushel to receive recognition of this kind.”
Gary Marshall, chairman of Covent Garden Tenants’ Association, added: “The last few months have seen significant milestones reached in the redevelopment of the market and the culmination of our celebrations of the market’s 50th anniversary in Nine Elms.
”More importantly though, the tenants here have continued to deliver premium-quality fresh produce and world-class service levels, lifting the market’s turnover to unprecedented levels while working in partnership with some of the very best suppliers and customers around.
“We’ve already begun this year with the opening of a fantastic new Buyers’ Walk that opens up so much opportunity for the fruit and vegetable wholesalers here. So, we will justifiably all feel proud of this accolade, while not only keeping our focus on living up to the standards required of Britain’s Best Wholesale Market, but ensuring we evolve and adapt to maintain our position at the forefront of this great industry.”
