Staff and traders at Shrewsbury Market Hall are celebrating after scooping a top award from the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).
The indoor shopping venue, which currently has a waiting list of more than 60, has been pegged as the local council Best Market by the organisation.
The Market Hall was also shortlisted in the category for Best UK Indoor Market overall, following hot-on-the-heels of Blackburn and Bury.
NABMA is Britain’s leading markets organisation and its annual awards ceremony is the highlight of the market business calendar.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Market of the Year 2012 event which was held in Birmingham last Thursday. [26 JAN]
Graham Wilson, chief executive of NABMA said: “The judges were very impressed with the Shrewsbury entry. It showed excellent teamwork between management and traders and also showed how a market can be used for the wider community benefit. The activities, social spaces and catering all made the market an attractive place to visit. Everyone deserves the highest praise for the work that has been done to improve the offer and standards of the market.”
Representatives from Shrewsbury Market Hall collected the award and put the win down to a ‘collective approach’ between the Town Council, which manages the canopied stalls in the centre of the market, and managing agent Jones Lang LaSalle, which is responsible for the permanent stalls located around the perimeter of the market floor and gallery.
Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council said: “We are delighted to have been named Best Market by NABMA. Not only is this great news for the market as a whole but the prestige attached to such an accolade will also be a tremendous economic boost to both the town and county. It is especially encouraging to be up there with big names like Bury and Blackburn. This award is a testament to our collective approach in managing the market and should be enjoyed by all involved.”
Kate Gittins, site facilities manager at the market added: “This is fantastic news for the whole market, everyone should be very proud. To be up there in the same category as venues like Bury and Blackburn is amazing, that’s what we have been working towards and that’s what we will continue to strive for in the next 12 months and beyond.”
For more information on the Market Hall log on to www.markethallshrewsbury.co.uk