The multi-million pound redevelopment plans at Bolton and Brighton markets show the wholesale and street market scene is alive and well in this country.

Despite all the attention that retail gets, the markets are still a vital part of the UK food supply chain.

These redevelopments will give a major boost to both traders and the public in their local areas, and in the case of Bolton, is further evidence of one of the country’s wholesale success stories.

As NABMA boss Graham Wilson explains in our interview on pages 18-19, markets are having to put more thought than ever before into the relationship between traders, the public and the community, and the fruits of those efforts are being seen in the developments at these two markets, as well as the New Covent Garden Market project and elsewhere.

Making markets a public destination and food hub is an excellent way of enthusing local people, boosting UK food sales and helping secure cash for redevelopment. The best markets are also working closer with communities than ever before, hosting events and encouraging children to visit and see how food is produced and sold.

At a time when the public are more interested than ever in their food, these moves are very welcome.