The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a package of measures to help protect and grow London’s street markets, including the creation of the London Markets Board, a team of industry experts and experienced business leaders.
The board is tasked with “ensuring that markets continue to flourish, support growth in high streets and town centres, and remain vibrant attractions for all Londoners and visitors to the capital”.
It will advise the Mayor on the delivery of a London markets strategy, and on action to support and promote the capital’s wholesale, street and covered markets.
The Mayor also published a new report – ‘Understanding London’s Markets’ – examining the social and economic value of markets in London. The report makes recommendations on making markets work effectively, supporting local people, driving prosperity and improving the local areas in which they are based, including encouraging innovation, setting an action plan for a London markets strategy, lobbying for a full review of the current markets legislation, lower barriers to entry for traders, and promoting a practical design approach to markets.
As part of the report, an interactive online map capturing London’s markets has been created. The map lets people search for local markets and filter by functions such as market type and opening times. It also includes a feature to allow users to submit information on markets to keep it updated over time.
London’s markets are a key part of the capital’s international identity. In 2010 there were 162 markets – today there are 280. Street markets contribute almost £250 million to London’s economy each year and retail markets account for 13,250 jobs.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “From the smallest groups of traders serving their neighbourhoods for generations, to those which attract millions of people each year from across London and around the world, London’s markets are a crucial part of our economy and our communities.
“The number of markets in London has risen in recent years but we mustn’t rest on our laurels – this is an area which has the potential to grow and grow, and I’m determined to do all I can to help our markets thrive.”
The London Markets Board met for the first time at Borough Market, where co-chair Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, announced that London will host the 10th International Public Markets Conference in June 2019, in partnership with Project for Public Spaces (PPS).
The conference is held in a different city every three years and brings together international representatives from the markets sector to explore the changing forces that are shaping public markets around the world.
Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The Mayor and I want Londoners and visitors to support markets across the city, not just the ones closest to home or where they’re staying while in the capital. That’s why we’ve launched this interactive map of London’s markets to open up the huge range of traders and businesses on offer.
“Markets have been an important part of London life for centuries and we’re committed to helping this continue long into the future.”
Helen Evans, co-chair of the London Markets Board, said: “Whether they are public or private, retail or wholesale, London’s markets contribute economically and socially to the wellbeing of the capital. But they also face challenges.
“That is why this new London Markets Board is so important. Its creation not only recognises the value of markets, often overlooked, it also faces up to the challenges and will recommend solutions. I am delighted to be a member of this new Board and look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure London’s markets continue to bring diversity and vibrancy to our capital.”
The London Markets Board members are:
- Jules Pipe – Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills
- Helen Evans – Director of Business Development at New Covent Garden Markets.
- Darren Henaghan – Managing Director of Borough Market.
- Debbie Carpenter – Market development manager at London Borough of Camden.
- Diane Cunningham – Director of The Assembly Line, and co-founder of Chatsworth Road market in Hackney
- Graham Wilson – National Association of British Market Authorities.
- Hazel Simmonds – Consultant with MAC-UK
- Hilary Paxman – Chief Executive of National Association of British Market Authorities
- Ian Dodds – Head of markets, KERB.
- John Burton – Urban Space Management.
- John Shepherd – Managing Director of Partridges of Duke of York Square on the King’s Road.
- Kay Richardson – Director of Space Embrace Community Interest Company.
- Cllr Nadia Shah – Camden Councillor.
- Cllr Rachel Tripp – Newham Councillor.
- Seamus Adams – Head of Service Parking and Markets at London Borough of Hackney.
- Stuart Horwood – Brixton Traders Association.
- Joe Harrison (board advisor) – Chief Executive of the National Markets Traders Federation
