Shrewsbury shoppers are being encouraged to help the town’s indoor Market Hall scoop a major accolade in a national competition.
The National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) has launched its annual Market of the Year awards, which includes a category for Britain’s Favourite Market.
Online voting for Britain’s Favourite Market is open now at www.nabma.com and customers are being urged to support Shrewsbury Market Hall in its bid to be crowned the best in Britain.
The results of the awards, which first launched in 2005, will be announced at a special ceremony held in Birmingham on January 26, 2012.
Mike Cox, Outdoor Recreation & Assets Manager for Shrewsbury Town Council said: “We are very proud of our market which offers a diverse mix of local and fresh produce and is valuable community asset. We hope our customers feel the same way and urge everyone who enjoys shopping at the market to vote for us online at NABMA’s website.”
Kate Gittins, site facilities manager at the market added: “Markets are at the very heart of a community and with the recent report from Mary Portas they are set to become even more central to the British retail economy. Shrewsbury Market Hall is an excellent example of everything Mary recommends, we already have monthly vintage flea markets, hold art classes for under 5s, cookery classes and parties for under 8s, an art gallery showcasing the work of Shropshire artists, as well as the core offering of fresh fruit, veg, meat, fish and more. We’d love to be crowned Britain’s Favourite Market so get voting!’
Celebrity Chef, Antony Worrall Thompson is backing the awards. He said: “I believe that markets are a vitally important component within the food chain. They provide fresh produce, an outlet for locally sourced food and I am proud to have been a long standing supporter and regular user. I would urge everyone, both producer and consumer, to support their local market.”
Other categories in the 2012 awards include; Best Street/Outdoor Market, Best Wholesale Market, Best Indoor Market Hall, Best Small Market (no more than 50 stalls), Best speciality Market and Best Private Market.
NABMA is the country’s leading markets organisation. Membership is open to any organisation which has control of retail, wholesale, livestock markets, public abattoirs and pleasure fairs.
For more information on the Market Hall log on to www.markethallshrewsbury.co.uk
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk