Mayor kicks off Shrewsbury Market Hall voting

Councillor Tandy cast his vote for the popular market and is now urging as many townsfolk as possible to get behind the campaign and vote online.

The market has been transformed in recent years into a bustling lively market containing a host of award-winning businesses. It was narrowly beaten to the Britain’s Favourite Market title two years ago, but now hopes to go one better.

The national annual competition is being staged by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) as part of the annual national Market of the Year awards.

While the other catergories are selected by a judging panel, Britain’s favourite Market is decided solely by online votes from members of the public.

“I think Shrewsbury Market is the best market in the country,” said Councillor Tandy.

“It’s lively, colourful and there’s so much to see. Over the last five years the market has changed tremendously and I just love coming here to shop.

“I hope more people in Shrewsbury will come and use their local market this Christmas time and support the traders who are all local people. I urge as many people as possible to show their support for the market by voting online.”

Supporters can register their votes online at www.nabma.com/vote/ by going to the competition logo, pressing ‘click here to vote’ and entering the name of the market and their email address. Voting will continue online until the end of December and people can vote as many times as they like.

The two-tiered market hall opened in the town centre in 1965, replacing a previous Victorian market building. Located between Shoplatch and Claremont Street, it is jointly run by Shrewsbury Town Council and managing agent Jones Lang LaSalle.

It contains over 70 stalls including cafes, restaurants, butchers, grocers, artisan food producers, home and gift boutiques, a bicycle shop, art gallery, Shrewsbury’s last independent book shop, a barber and even a resident psychotherapist.