Shrewsbury Market Hall named the nation’s favourite

From Left: NABMA President Councillor Mick Barker; Kate Gittins, Shropshire Council’s Market Hall facilities manager; Shrewsbury Town Council outdoor recreation and leisure manager Mike Cox; and Allan Hartwell of Market Place, sponsor of the Great British Market Awards

Shrewsbury Market Hall has scooped the title of Britain’s Favourite Market in a national public vote.

Supporters of the market voted in their thousands to put Shrewsbury Market Hall in top spot for the National Association of British Market Authorities award.

The Market Hall is run jointly by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council.

Kate Gittins, Shropshire Council’s facilities manager for Shrewsbury Market Hall, said news of winning the top spot came as a surprise:-

“It comes as a complete shock, as there’s usually some indication if you are in the running, but there was absolutely nothing this year.

“A huge thanks to our wonderful stallholders, and an even bigger thank you to our customers who voted in their thousands. We have a truly fantastic market, of which we are immensely proud.”

Mike Cox, outdoor recreation and leisure manager for Shrewsbury Town Council, said:-

“This award is a recognition of the hard work by all concerned, which includes staff, traders and those who oversee the day-to-day running of the market.

“We look forward to another successful year and to welcoming new visitors to the market to see why we have been voted Britain’s Favourite Market 2023.”

Rob Gittins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, added:-

“Our huge congratulations to the market team and traders, and a huge thank you too to all the customers who took the time to cast their vote.

“Shrewsbury Market Hall is home to 60 traders described as ‘proudly independent and gloriously innovative’. Locally we know we are lucky to have such a marvellous market, and word is obviously going to spread even further afield.”

Oswestry Market (indoors) was highly commended.

Other Great British Market Award winners were:-

Best Large Indoor Market – St George’s Market, Belfast

Best Small Indoor Market – Stockport Market

Best Large Outdoor Market – Portobello and Golborne Outdoor Market, London

Best Small Outdoor Market – Cottingham Outdoor Market

Best Community / Parish Market – South Molton County Pannier Market

Best Large Speciality Market – Bolton Food Festival

Best Small Speciality Market – Joint Winners – Stalybridge Street Feast, and Naturally North Coast & Glens

Best Food Market – Borough Market

Best Wholesale Market – New Smithfield Market, Manchester

Best Market Attraction – Bury Market.