NABMA, with its major sponsor KPR Midlink Ltd., has promoted Market of the Year for the last five years. It has proved to be one of the most important projects undertaken by NABMA.

The number of categories in the competition has expanded each year and in 2011 the following categories and winners were:

Best Street /Outdoor Market – Doncaster

Best Indoor Market Hall – Accrington

Best Small Market (no more than 50 stalls) -
Bristol Book Market

Best Speciality Market -
Pershore Plum Festival Farmers’ Market & Aberdeen International Street Market

Britain’s Favourite Market – Leicester

Best Private Market – Durham & Old Spitalfields Market London

Best Local Council Market – Ludlow

Britain’s Best Market Attraction – Manchester Christmas Market

Entry forms are normally available from early October and the closing date is the end of December.

Results are announced at NABMA’s One-Day Conference which is normally held on the last Thursday in January.  The competition is important in raising the profile of individual markets and bringing media attention to winning markets. Set out below are some of the comments of previous winners and pictures of winners with Nick Owen, BBC Presenter and Journalist.

Why should we enter? – Comments from past winners.
“It’s good for the market, good for the town as well. This award is our impetus to become even more successful.”
“It is the fact that this is industry experts acknowledging us that makes it so special. They know what they’re talking about”
“The award was extremely well received. Councillors, traders, staff and the public were delighted to win Britain’s Favourite Market. The market received extensive free media coverage and we will always be recognised as the first every Favourite Market”
“Well worth the effort. Winning has helped to develop the market further and to strengthen the relationships between markets team, traders, retailers and, more importantly, our customers – the public.”