New Spitalfields was judged Best Wholesale Market 2018 at last week’s Great British Market Awards.
The prestigious annual award, which was presented during a conference in Birmingham organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), recognises work and achievements at UK markets in 2017. It was given to New Spitalfields for “a continual range of infrastructure upgrades, including initiatives around waste recycling, health and safety and accident reduction.” Judges also commented that “trading is strong, the market is vibrant and positive change has created strong relationships between all market interests.”
Ben Milligan, the Corporation of London’s superintendent and general manager at New Spitalfields, said the award reflects the endeavours of everyone at the market. “This was very much a collective effort across all of the market teams, the Spitalfields Market Tenants Association (SMTA), the tenants, and the wider directorate, and as such I’d like to thank them all for their passion, effort, and unfailing support in getting us to where we are.”
Elsewhere in the awards categories, Shrewsbury Market took the title of Britain’s Favourite Market, beating tough competition from Norwich, Cambridge, Skipton, Leeds and Barrow. Other winners included markets in Todmorden, Stockton, Barnsley, Saffron Walden, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and Skipton.
NABMA president, Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs, said: “Once again, we have had a diverse and inspiring set of applications from markets across the UK. Congratulations to everyone who applied and to the winners who showcase the best in innovation and enterprise.”
High streets minister Jake Berry added: “Thriving markets are crucial to the prosperity of Britain’s high streets, their local economies and also make an important contribution to the vitality of our communities.
“They can also offer invaluable start-up opportunities for budding entrepreneurs keen to trial new ideas and products. “I’d like to congratulate all those who work in Shrewsbury Market as well as all the other award winners and wish them all the best for their future trading.”
New Spitalfields last won this award in 2013 and Milligan believes they won’t be waiting five years before the next one. “This is a Market that is improving all the time, and there are no limits on what we can achieve here, so I’m looking forward to a strong showing in the 2019 awards too!”
