A farmers' markets which has just celebrated its 20th birthday is down to the final three for a prestigious award.
Marylebone Farmers' Market, which opened in 2003 is among the finalists for the Farm Retail Association's best market in the UK.
The Sunday market runs from 10am to 2pm on St Vincent Street and Aybrook Street and features more than 40 farm and food stalls selling everything from bread, to cheese, meat, fish, veg as well as mushrooms, jam, honey and cakes.
It's run by London Farmers' Markets who set up their first market in Islington in 1999 and also manage popular weekly events in Parliament Hill, West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, and Queen's Park.
Chair of the Farm Retail Association, Emma Mosey, said she was looking forward to celebrating the finalists' achievements at the awards ceremony in March 2024.
“Farm shops and farmers markets continue to be the nation’s retail beacons for sourcing fresh and nutritious produce with low food miles, from passionate and knowledgeable often family-run, independent businesses," she said.
“It is right that we celebrate the crucial role these invaluable food and drink retailers play at the heart of the communities they serve. Running through our finalists are inspiring stories of innovation, consistent quality produce, and customer service excellence: terrific qualities that have been demonstrated during a challenging period amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis."
“Congratulations to everyone who is shortlisted and good luck."
LFM director Ian Smith said being judged outstanding was all the more gratifying because the market's future looked uncertain when it had to leave its original site in Moxon Street car park due to the luxury Marylebone Square development.
”This is down to the dedication and great food produced by the businesses that attend the market every Sunday," he said.
"We’d like to pay tribute to them and thank the loyal customers of Marylebone who shop every week, come rain or shine, snow or pandemic. The Market’s future was uncertain for a while with the new development being built on our former home in the old car park, but massive community support and support from the City of Westminster has secured the market's home on the street for many years to come."
LFM celebrates its 25th anniversary next year and now operates 19 weekly markets across the capital, working directly with growers and food producers to sell their fresh seasonal produce out in the fresh air.
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