Top win for London wholesale market
New Covent Garden Market (NCGM), which sells fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants, has been named Best Wholesale Market in the Great British Market Awards 2024, a great start to a year in which NCGM will be building up to the golden anniversary of its relocation from Covent Garden to Nine Elms.
The judging panel of the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) chose NCGM for its rich history, environmental best practices and outstanding support of independent food businesses in London and the South East of England. Announcing the award, David Preston, Chief Executive of NABMA, said: “[New Covent Garden Market] facilitates the connection between retail and catering businesses across the southeast of England.
“Leading towards 2027 it seeks to work with its traders, their many customers and the local community to deliver a better working and shopping environment for all. It is a proud London institution and claims it will soon be able to boast it is the oldest and newest market site in the country.”
Gary Marshall, Chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants Association (CGTA), said: “This is fantastic recognition for everyone at our market in what is a particularly momentous year. CGTA has been celebrating its 100th anniversary and we’ll also be holding a dinner/dance in November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the relocation of our great market from Covent Garden to Nine Elms.
“It is testament to the continued passion, commitment and expertise of every trader here that we can say we were the market leader a century ago, the market leader 50 years ago and we’re still the market leader now.”
Jo Breare, General Manager of Covent Garden Market Authority, the landlord and management company at NCGM, said: “Congratulations to everyone who works at NCGM – this is an award that recognises the hard work and dedication of the entire market community.
“We are working alongside our tenants to establish the platform for a market that is steeped in history and heritage to write many new chapters as the premium fruit, vegetable and flower hub for London, a position it has held for almost a millennium. In 2024, a plethora of activities are planned to highlight the market reaching 50 years in Nine Elms and we’re so pleased to be celebrating that milestone as the Best Wholesale Market in Britain.”
When its redevelopment project completes in 2027, NCGM will be safe in the knowledge that it has the site, the location, the product mix and the people to continue to set the trends and lead the trade for many, many years to come.
