A county market has beaten off stiff competition to be named Britain’s Favourite Market for 2018. Shrewsbury Market Hall was awarded the accolade at The Great British Market Awards, with judges from the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA calling it “an exciting and inspirational market”.
The market, which is jointly run by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council, was one of six UK finalists short-listed for the coveted title, vying with markets in Barrow in Furness, Cambridge, Leeds Kirkgate, Norwich and Skipton. All finalists had been short-listed in a public vote that ran through October and November 30. The second round of the competition involved visits by judges and a mystery shopper.
NABMA’s Hilary Paxman says, “Over the last 10 years, Shrewsbury Market has reinvented itself, adapted and changed its offer, turning the business around using a distinctive food offer to build a local reputation. In the last three years, footfall has risen by 40% and it has put on some fantastic events which have attracted a new audience of shoppers, making the market hall the town’s go-to place.”
Shrewsbury Market Hall has nearly 70 pitches and recent evening events have boosted its popularity, with crowds of up to 1,700 people attending.
