If people needed more of a reason to visit Greater Manchester, then we’ve found one. Taking home multiple prizes at the Great British Market Awards 2023, the region has put itself on the map as a must-visit destination thanks to its extensive independent market stalls.
Having come out on top in 2022 and 2019 as ‘Britain’s Favourite Market’ at the Great British Market Awards, beating the likes of Borough Market and York’s Shambles Market, Bury Market has only gone and won another award this year. Crowned the ‘Best Market Attraction’ for 2023, Bury Market was described as one of the best markets in the North West and is regarded as a ‘regional treasure’.
Providing fantastic local produce for over 500 years now, Bury Market has long held a place in the heart of Mancs – and has over 370 stalls to potter, with pretty much everything you could think of on offer. An Aladdin’s Cave, if we may.
However, this year also saw more Greater Manchester markets winning big at the awards, with Stockport Market being named ‘Best Small Indoor Market’, Bolton Food Festival named ‘Best Large Speciality Market’. Plus, New Smithfield Market bagged the award for ‘Best Wholesale Market’ and Stalybridge Street Fest received the joint title of ‘Best Small Speciality Market’ alongside Naturally North Coast & Glens.
Highly commended awards were also given to a few markets in Lancashire such as Rawtenstall Market and Fleetwood Indoor Market. Shrewsbury Indoor Market in Shropshire took home the award of ‘Britain’s Favourite Market for 2023’, with London’s Borough Market winning ‘Best Food Market’ and St George’s Market in Belfast named ‘Best Large Indoor Market’.
David Preston, Chief Executive of NABMA, said: “Year on year this competition demonstrates the value and pride that towns and cities place in their local market and the innovation and diversity that applies in modern market management. Following the return from the pandemic it is clear that many local markets have a renewed trust, interest and a recognition of their importance within the day to day life of their communities.”