Old Spitalfields Market Crowned 'Best Private Market' in National Awards

Spitalfields, London, UK – Thursday 27th January, 2011 – One of London’s most popular and historic shopping destinations, Old Spitalfields Market (OSM), has today been acknowledged as ‘Best Private Market’ in a national awards ceremony.

Well known for its fashion, food and antiques; the market is a bustling home to around 200 independent traders, selling an eclectic mix of goods during the six market days held there every week.
Graham Wilson, chief executive of NABMA, the organisation responsible for the awards ceremony, said: “The level of entries in this category was the best since the competition began. Their quality and diversity made the judging panel’s job very difficult.”

“Old Spitalfields Market demonstrated all that is best in market provision, with a range of innovative services and a number of projects that really engage with the public. Clearly, it is a very historic site and all of the traders represented provide an excellent mix for shoppers. It truly is everything that a modern market should be.”

Located near to Liverpool Street Station and owned by Ballymore, the Victorian market hall can trace its origins back as far as the 13th Century, when there was a market held next to St Mary’s Spittal on the edge of the Square Mile. Following the relocation of the wholesale market in the early 1990s and a recent, extensive re-development, the market is now the focal point for City workers, Londoners and thousands of visiting tourists.

Lord Lee of Trafford, chairman of the Market’s operator, Wellington Market Company Plc, added: “Old Spitalfields Market is delighted and honoured to receive this accolade. It really does validate all of the hard work that the traders and management team have put into making it the success that it’s become.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to all of the shops, bars and restaurants who’ve made the market their home, as their contribution has also been vitally important.”

This award comes at a time when Wellington Market Company Plc is celebrating its first 12 months at Old Spitalfields Market, having been appointed by Ballymore back in February of last year.

Sean Mulryan, executive chairman and founder of The Ballymore Group, the owner of Old Spitalfields Market, commented: ”I am delighted to hear that Old Spitalfields Market has won this prestigious award. The restoration of the market was really a labour of love for me, personally. I knew that when I appointed Wellington Market Company to run the market, we would see great things happening.”

Over the years, the market has played an important role within the local community - from the days when traders clubbed together to buy a Spitfire for the war effort, right up to recent charity events including Centrepoint’s Sleepout – a mass overnight sleepout in the market to raise money for the homeless and Christian Aid’s Big Sing.

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Bear, who was involved in the regeneration of Spitalfields, said: ”I am very pleased that the market has gained this well-deserved, national recognition. Spitalfields is an area that is very close to my heart and any positive publicity that may come from this, will, undoubtedly benefit the wider community.”

“Markets are an important part of London life and add a vibrancy that just cannot be replicated by the high street.”

Visit www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com for further information.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Old Spitalfields Market
Owned by Ballymore and operated by Wellington Market Company Plc, Old Spitalfields Market, located in the heart of Spitalfields is a premier London attraction and one of the finest surviving Victorian Market Halls in the Capital.

Built in 1876, Old Spitalfields Market offers an impressive array of art, fashion, furniture, gifts, antiques and food outlets via its market stalls, shops and restaurants. Old Spitalfields Market is a twice-winner of Time Out Shopping Award’s Best London Market.

The History
Spitalfields began as 13th Century Market in a field next to St Mary’s Spittal on the edge of the Square Mile.

In 1682 King Charles II granted John Balch, a silk thrower, a Royal Charter that gave him the right to hold a market on Thursday’s and Saturday’s on or near Spitalfields Square. For the next 200 years the market traded from a collection of sheds and stores supplying London’s growing appetite for fresh fruit and vegetables. It became a centre for the sale of home grown produce that was soon being traded there six days a week.

By 1876 a former porter called Robert Horner brought a short lease on the market and started work on a new market, which was completed in 1893 at a cost of £80,000. In 1920 the City of London acquired direct control of the market extending the original Horner Buildings to the west. The market functioned as a fruit and vegetable wholesale market until 1991 when, with no room for expansion, it relocated to new purpose built premises in Leyton where it continues to thrive retaining the title of Spitalfields Market.

A recent redevelopment replaced the western 1920’s market hall retaining some of the original character within a substantial commercial development called Bishops Square.

Address:
Old Spitalfields Market
16 Horner Square
Spitalfields
London
EC1 6EW

Telephone: 0207 247 8556
Email: info@oldspitalfieldsmarket.com
Website: www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

Further Press Information
For further Press information and pictures, please contact:

Tim Ward - Parker Ward Limited
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