For the second consecutive year, Leeds Kirkgate Market was voted Britain’s Favourite Market
Over 100,000 votes were delivered in deciding the winner of this category, following online voting over a six week period. Leeds Kirkgate is one of the largest indoor markets in Europe and has been at the heart of retail in the city centre since it opened in 1857. The Market boasts some 170 traders, selling a vast array of goods from the freshest produce, food and drink, to fashion and jewellery.
Best Love Your Local Market Event
– Cambridge General & Sunday Market
This is a market that uses social media extensively with a Twitter account of over 49,000 impressions during the fortnight. The market promoted numerous competitions and even incorporated a classic car rally around the Market Square. The community impact was significant involving local radio, local transport and local schools. An excellent example of a well established market fully embracing LYLM.
Best Large Indoor Market
– Burnley Market Hall
Described by the judging panel as a phoenix rising from the ashes, Burnley market, through endeavour, hard work and initiatives, is climbing the ladder to its former glory. The judges were impressed with the many initiatives that have been delivered with commitment and enthusiasm to reconnect the public and the local community with its long and proud market tradition.
Best Small Indoor Market
– Tooting Market
Tooting Market provides tremendous customer support and is a diverse market that continues to grow and expand. It provides many incentive schemes and continues to adapt and change to become a destination market, working closely with its immediate retail core and the wider community
Best Large Outdoor Market
– Loughborough Retail Markets
There is a strong green emphasis at Loughborough, with 125 traders supporting a diverse range of trading activities. It is a traditional market providing for its community, but it is also an established destination shopping location and it is clearly well loved by all. The Market offers a proven record of supporting local entrepreneurship and business start-up.
Best Small Outdoor Market
– Skipton Market
Skipton Market operates in a rather unique way with traders requiring an agreement with the Market Authority and the individual owners of the land on which it is sited. These very difficult operational issues have been overcome and the Markets Team, and Town Centre Ambassadors provide tremendous advice and assistance. It has excellent tourism links as a focal point of the town centre.
Best Large Community/Parish Market
– Salisbury Charter Market
The award was given to this traditional city centre market that enjoys extensive working with local tourism providers. Initiatives included distribution of some 30,000 flyers, preferential rental opportunities to test market trading without commitment and the introduction of a wholesale scheme.
Best Small Community/Parish Market
– Forest Row Village Market
This is an exciting small market with strong occupancy, various loyalty and incentive schemes and it promotes itself extensively through social media. There is a strong presentation of local food and wonderful examples provided of partnership working. The Market Manager has a professional markets qualification and is spreading that good practice to help other markets within the district.
Best Large Speciality Market
– Exeter Christmas Market
This market presented the strongest all round package to the judges. It faced huge challenges and threats with a major city centre fire before its 2016 event, having an option therefore, of cancelling or moving the majority of the Market to another site within a very short period. It has strong brand development, communications and social media and also offers significant encouragement to support young entrepreneurship and start-up businesses
Best Small Speciality Market
– Bridgnorth Christmas Lighting Up Event
This winning market links markets, local food, crafts, a fun fair and an evening programme of entertainment, crammed into its traditional high street. On a very limited budget, it has grown to become an event of county wide significance. Through community partnerships, it provides a recipe of success that many can learn from.
Best Wholesale Market
– New Smithfield Wholesale Market, Manchester
The UK has great competition within its wholesale sector. New Smithfield, despite an excellent extensive ongoing refurbishment programme, provides a very professional wholesale market that serves a sizeable region. It presents many innovations that help fight poverty, meet social agendas and delivers various green and environmental benefits.
Best Food Market
– Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Bolton Food and Drink Market was chosen for its wonderful visual appearance, tremendous atmosphere and its provision of extensive and quality produce. It offers great innovation and social media and a wonderful display to its many thousands of visitors. This buzzing market is a delight for all foodies.
Best Market Attraction
– St. George’s Market, Belfast
This is the significant NABMA Award and is given to an iconic long standing market. With 100% occupancy, it commands a presence within its city centre. Renowned for its variety, quality and extensive calendar of events, it goes out on tour promoting the market, its city and its traders. It has a huge social media presence that is managed by the traders themselves. This is a market for others to learn from, and aspire towards, and really is a benchmark for excellence in providing a destination market.