The team behind Bolton Market has been named the best in the country by industry experts.
Bolton Council staff were this week awarded the prestigious Market Team of the Year award by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).
The presentation took place at the centenary gala dinner during NABMA’s annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Judges praised the small team behind the success of Bolton Market for their enthusiasm, innovation and engagement.
Not only has the market bucked the national trend by achieving a 92% occupancy rate, but the team have been at the forefront of innovations around energy use and recycling.
As well as working to increase footfall on market days the team goes the extra mile to organise and facilitate a number of events in the borough.
Their vital contribution to the Bolton Food and Drink Festival sees them source, select, and support the traders at what has become of the UK’s largest outdoor markets
The team at Bolton Market is also responsible for the regular Teenage Markets in Victoria Square.
Designed to encourage young entrepreneurs and give them experience of market trading, the event has grown to become the biggest organised youth market in the North West.
The market recently opened a permanent gallery to showcase artwork by students at Bolton Sixth Form College.
This recognition is just the latest in a series of awards for Bolton Market, which includes NABMA’s Best Food Market prize in 2017 and Best Market Attraction for the 2018 food festival.
Graham Wilson, Chief Executive of NABMA, said:
“There are market teams that year after year provide excellent results and do not rest on their laurels and this year's winner, Bolton’s market team, demonstrated these qualities in large measure.
“They work hard to show that markets have a high profile and ensure the successful delivery of a range of different objectives including what has become the famous Bolton Food and Drink Festival.”
This is well-deserved recognition for a team that works flat out to make sure Bolton has a market we can all be proud of.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, Cllr Adele Warren, said:
“This is well-deserved recognition for a team that works flat out to make sure Bolton has a market we can all be proud of.
“The team plays a crucial role in events like the Bolton Food and Drink Festival which this year brought in 400,000 visitors to the town centre.
“But this award also recognises the everyday work which ensures shoppers can access fresh, healthy produce at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere.”
Bolton Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.