The nine categories were: Best Street/Outdoor Market, Best Indoor Market Hall, Best Small Indoor Market Hall, Best Speciality Market, Best Small Speciality Market, Best Private Market, Best Small Outdoor Market, Best Wholesale Market and Britain’s Favourite Market. The last one, Britain’s Favourite Market being the result of a public on-line vote. Once again, a record number of entries were submitted for this year’s awards and the standard was so high, the judges felt that two further categories, ‘The Best Market Attraction’ and ‘Best Local Council Market’ should be added.
DCLG Minister, Don Foster and Apprentice Semi-Finalist, Adam Corbally, presented the KPR Midlink Market of the Year Awards and results were as follows:
Best Street/Outdoor Market: Portobello & Golborne Road Market
Best Indoor Market Hall: Queensgate Market Hall
Best Small Indoor Market Hall: Southport Indoor Market
Best Speciality Market: Walsall Night Market
Best Small Speciality Market: Mr.Big Market
Best Private Market: Brixton Village/Market Row
Best Small Outdoor Market: Swadlincote Market & Farmers Market
Best Wholesale Market: New Spitalfields Market
Britain’s Favourite Market: Darlington Market
Best Market Attraction: Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market & Craft Fair
Best Local Council Market: Oswestry Powis Hall Market
The judging panel comprised of: Tim Cole, Commercial Writer of Market Trade News; Graham Wilson, Nabma Chief Executive; Jeremy Bradin of Sponsor KPR Midlink; Rob Nixon of Stoke on Trent City Council and Geraldine Carter, Nabma’s President Councillor. Jeremy Bradin, Director of the award sponsors, KPR Midlink Ltd, commented, “The entries were of a very high standard, showing yet again the tremendous effort markets staff put into their work, KPR are glad to be able to acknowledge these efforts with the awards and to continue the longstanding relationship with NABMA in particular and the markets industry in general” Graham Wilson added, “Each year I think the KPR Market of the Year will not attract the same level of interest and quality of entries, but each year my concerns are unfounded. This year has again been an excellent year with a record number of online votes for Britain’s Favourite Market and a record number of entries in a number of the diffrent categories. The evidence of this year’s competition demonstrates that there are some fantastic markets around with lots of ideas and innovations being introduced to make markets more attractive and successful. Taking part in the judging is one of the highlights of my year and is a perfect way of banishing the Christmas hangover.”
