Shrewsbury Market Hall was today (30 January 2025) crowned ‘Britain’s Favourite Market’ for an “unprecedented” third year running and a record fourth time at the 2025 Great British Market Awards, beating off stiff competition from popular markets across the UK.
The Shropshire market has won the coveted title four times over the past seven years – in 2018, 2023, 2024 and now 2025. It is the only market in the UK to have won the award a record four times and a record three years in a row.
The market awards are organised annually by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) to celebrate the best of UK markets. Britain’s Favourite Market is considered the most coveted of the 13 awards up for grabs because it involves a nationwide public vote as well as scrutiny by a panel of industry experts.
Winners of the 2025 awards were announced at the NABMA January Conference in Birmingham today.
NABMA Chief Executive David Preston said more than 40,000 votes had been cast in the race for this year’s Britain’s Favourite Market, with Shrewsbury beating off competition from nine other top 10 market finalists – Bury, Chelmsford, Nantwich, Oxford, Swansea, Pontypridd, Tavistock, South Molton and fellow Shropshire market Market Drayton.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Julia Buckley was on hand to rejoice in the success of her own local market as she presented the award in her role as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group.
Shrewsbury Market Hall is jointly run by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council and is home to more than 50 independent businesses, including retailers, cafes and bars.
Market tenant liaison manager Amy Williams, of Shropshire Council, said:
“To win Britain’s Favourite Market for an unprecedented third year running and a record fourth time is truly amazing. We’re delighted.
“Every year the competition for the title gets tougher. All credit goes to our incredible traders, who make Shrewsbury Market Hall such an exciting and unique place to visit, and to all our staff who work tirelessly to help make the market special and ensure it continues to evolve.”
“We know Shrewsbury Market Hall has a special place in the hearts of many of our customers and we can’t thank them enough for the huge support they give us year after year.
“For our market to win this award in its 60th anniversary year, makes it all the more special. We’re going to have a year-long celebration!”
Shrewsbury Town Council’s commercial markets and events manager Ian Thorpe said:
“Our fantastic traders provide an eclectic shopping experience for both residents and tourists, who voted for us to win this award.
“This is another great achievement for Shrewsbury, which has already garnered national recognition as the ‘Town of Flowers’ and a ‘Great Town’ by the Academy of Urbanism.
“Shrewsbury Market Hall is a treasured asset that will celebrate its 60th anniversary this September. Working alongside Amy Williams, Sarah Hart, Kevin Goss, Rob Miles and all our wonderful traders, we’ll ensure this milestone year is a true celebration.”
In the award citation Mr Preston said:
“The public vote for Britain’s Favourite Market has chosen a market known locally as a unique food and drink and shopping destination that offers a vibrant and eclectic fusion of the handcrafted and the hard to find.
“The market is part of the proud history of its town, its present and clearly regarded by voters, residents and visitors as part of its future. The market has respected leadership, is not frightened of change and continually seeks to evolve and provide exciting business and start-up opportunities.”
Fellow 2025 Great British Market Award winners included:
- Best Large Indoor Market – Tavistock Pannier Market
- Best Small Indoor Market – Harborough Market
- Best Large Outdoor Market – Whitechapel Road Market
- Best Small Outdoor Market – Columbia Road Flower Market
- Best Community / Parish Market – Stanley Park Market & Bridlington Market
- Best Large Speciality Market – Broadway Market, Hackney
- Best Small Speciality Market – Bolsover Artisan Market
- Best Large Food Market – Borough Market
- Best Small Food Market – Bath Green Park Station Market
- Best Wholesale Market – New Spitalfields Market
- Best Market Attraction – South Molton Pannier Market
- Outstanding Market Achievement Award – Belfast Christmas Market
