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Market traders 'thrilled' with award shortlist

BBC Jan looking into the camera and smiling, she's wearing a winter coat, hat and scarf. Behind her you can see fruits and vegetables laid out on her stall, with a white gazebo covering it. BBC
Jan Latham is one half of Latham's Fruit and Veg and said the market had been transformed

Traders in Market Drayton have said they are "thrilled" to find out the indoor and outdoor markets have made the top 10 shortlist for Britain's Favourite Market 2025.

The shortlist was drawn up after more than 40,000 public votes were cast - with Shrewsbury Indoor Market also making the list.

Market Drayton's markets have undergone significant transformation since they were taken over by Shropshire Council in April 2024, led by Kate Gittins.

Ms Gittins, who formerly ran Shrewsbury's indoor market, told BBC Radio Shropshire she was "very excited, but not surprised" that Market Drayton had been recognised.

Jan Latham, who runs Latham's Fruit and Veg with her husband Richard, is a relative newcomer to Market Drayton's markets, having first pitched up in June 2024.

She said Ms Gittins' "enthusiasm" for the markets made them "fall in love with the place", and now the Lathams are "absolutely loving it."

"Customers are great, management are fantastic and so supportive," Mrs Latham said.

She added that she was "absolutely thrilled" to find out about the nomination, and that the markets had seen a "massive improvement".

Kate stood in front of a flower stall and smiling, she's wearing a black puffa jacket and a red patterned scarf. She's holding a clipboard and card reader. Behind her you can see a flower stall, sheltered by a blue gazebo.
Kate Gittins, pictured here in April 2024, was brought in last year to reinvigorate the markets in Market Drayton

The award is organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities as part of the Great British Market Awards - and the next phase will see evaluation from industry experts to decide which market takes the title.

Ms Gittins said Market Drayton had "built up a fantastic following of customers", with the markets "going from strength to strength".

She added that the outdoor market had grown from just eight stalls to a maximum of 26, with the indoor market "absolutely packed".

Richard is wearing a white coat over the top of a winter jacket and scarf. Behind him there's meat hanging up ready to be sliced up, and a sign that reads 'Shepley's Family Butchers.'
Richard Inley has been working for Shepley's Family Butchers for decades

Richard Inley, from Shipley's Family Butchers in the indoor market, said making the shortlist was "brilliant" news for the town.

"Just before Covid, there were only two stalls in here," he said, adding that Ms Gittins' work to transform the markets had been a huge success.

"Now it's rammed, there's queues for people to come in - it's brilliant, and the atmosphere in here is great. The indoor market is thriving."

Nick looking into the camera and smiling, he's wearing a white coat over the top of his winter jacket. He's stood in front of his van, and the back doors are open so trays of fresh fish and seafood are visible. Over his right shoulder is a sign that reads 'The National Federation of Fishmongers 2022.'
Nick 'the Fish' Waters runs a mobile fishmongers, which is usually parked outside the indoor market

Fishmonger Nick Waters - better known as Nick the Fish - has been selling fresh seafood in Market Drayton for 28 years.

He said things were "really picking up" at the markets, and that management were "really supporting [traders] and listening to all our views".

"We think we can just take it to another level and go forward, and hopefully we'll have another really good year."

He added that winning the British Market of the Year award would "really put Market Drayton back on the map".

Gerry photographed at the stall, behind him you can see lots of shelves holding electric wax burners and wax melts. He's wearing a blue padded jacket and a fleece, and just beyond you can see part of the butcher's stall.
Gerry McGeown runs Em's Wax Creations in the indoor market

Gerry McGeown runs Em's Wax Creations while his daughter Emmie is away at university, selling wax melts and burners from a stall in the indoor market.

He said he and Emmie were "very pleased" to hear the shortlist news, and were hoping it would bring more customers to Market Drayton.

"Normally we find that Wednesdays are busy days, and Saturdays are a little bit quieter - we need to get the coaches in from the local area, like Stoke-on-Trent," he said.

Paul photographed leaning on one of the rugs he sells - it's a bright orange fluffy one. He's wearing a black winter coat, and behind him you can see shops and cafes.
Paul Bond said the markets had seen "more traders and more footfall" over the past year

Outside, Paul Bond runs Bond Rugs, and told BBC Radio Shropshire he had seen a real transformation over the past year.

"It's great, it's absolutely brilliant - Kate [Gittins] has done a great job, the council are doing a great job, and the market's really improved in the last 12 months," he said.

Mr Bond added that "more traders and more footfall" had sprung up since April.

"It's brilliant, it's much more positive."

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