West Bromwich’s brand-new indoor market has officially opened on High Street, drawing huge crowds and creating a real buzz in the town centre.
Preston Markets to Celebrate 150 Years Under Iconic Victorian Canopy
Preston Markets is preparing to celebrate an incredible milestone this August—150 years since the construction of its iconic Victorian canopy, which has stood proudly in the city centre since 1875.
Earlier this year, during the Love Your Local Market campaign, Preston proudly announced plans for a two-day Victorian-themed celebration to mark this historic occasion. Now, with the big weekend just around the corner, anticipation is building for what promises to be a spectacular event.
150 Years of Market Heritage
Originally completed in November 1875, the canopy came to life following Preston’s economic boom after the arrival of the railway in 1838. What started as trading on Preston Flag Market soon evolved into a permanent, sheltered home for traders—a structure that has become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Today, the canopy still supports a vibrant market community, providing a bustling space for local businesses and visitors alike. As Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources at Preston City Council, explains:
“Preston Markets have always been at the heart of Preston and it is fantastic to see them celebrated this way. Marking the 150-year anniversary of the iconic market canopy honours not only the heritage but also the vital role our markets continue to play in Preston’s future.”
A Victorian Festival Weekend – 15 & 16 August 2025
The anniversary celebrations will take place on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August, transforming Preston Markets into a vibrant, Victorian-era spectacle.
Visitors can look forward to:
- Penny-farthing riders and Victorian strongmen
- Stilt walkers, magicians and traditional performers
- Punch and Judy shows and heritage tours
- A Victorian costume competition on Saturday with prizes for the best-dressed attendees
Whether you’re stopping by for an hour or planning to make a full day of it, there’ll be entertainment and nostalgia for the whole family.
Mural Unveiling by Local Artist Shawn Sharpe
To kick off the festivities, a special mural unveiling will take place at 10am on Friday 15 August inside the Market Hall. Created by celebrated local artist Shawn Sharpe, the artwork has been specially commissioned to honour 150 years of Preston’s market history.
“As someone from Preston, this project means a lot to me,” said Sharpe. “I’ve been coming to the market since I was a kid, and I still shop here regularly. Creating something that celebrates its 150-year history is an honour.”
The mural will become a permanent feature in the Market Hall, serving as a lasting tribute to the generations of traders, shoppers, and community members who’ve shaped the market over the decades.
With a rich legacy and a future full of promise, Preston Markets invites everyone to join in the celebration and be part of this special moment in the city’s history.
For full event details and updates, visit Preston Markets website or follow them on social media.
Chester Market Celebrates its 5 millionth customer
Since opening just over two years ago, Chester’s new market has now welcomed its five millionth customer. Opened by Cheshire West and Chester Council as its key anchor tenant in the Northgate Development Phase 1 scheme in November 2022, the market has attracted record numbers of visitors, massively outstripping the footfall of its predecessor and transforming the city centre. The five millionth customers were Aoife and Gustavo from Manchester who were visiting the market for the second time this year and received £200 in vouchers to spend in the market, plus some market merchandise and the newly launched Monopoly game’s Chester Edition.
Read the full story on New Chester Market’s website here: https://newchester.market/chester-market-celebrates-its-five-millionth-customer/
Chester Market Marks Second Birthday with New Traders and 5 Millionth Customer Prize
As the multi-award winning market approaches its second birthday, the market will have welcomed almost five million customers through its doors since opening in November 2022.
All the market’s stalls are also now fully occupied, with three new traders joining the varied range of existing traders in recent weeks to broaden the market’s non-food range – a vintage clothing stall, ladies hair and beauty salon plus a lifestyle, homeware and gifts store. A fourth new trader is in the process of fitting out their stall and is expected to open later this year.
A prize package of £200 market vouchers, market goodies and a year’s membership to the Picturehouse cinema next door is on offer for the five millionth lucky customer that will be selected during November.
During the birthday weekend of 8 – 10 November free market tote bags will be available from the market’s goods traders on any purchases over £10.
The market has been recognised by industry experts for setting a new benchmark in how to revive an existing market and pioneer improvements such as extended opening hours, providing a broader range of goods and authentic street food options plus creating a vibrant and inclusive social space that has increased footfall five-fold compared to the old market’s last year of operation in 2021.
The market was also recently hailed by Muddy Stilettos as Chester’s top place to eat, as part of its best places to live in 2025 rankings which compared towns and cities across the county.
The market is operated by Cheshire West and Chester Council and is the cornerstone of the Northgate development phase 1, which has become a major leisure attraction in the heart of Chester’s historic city centre and includes a six-screen Picturehouse Cinema, Cosy Club, Northlight and Turtle Bay restaurants, Bridge Street Coffee, Fit Collective, 800 space car park, four office suites and a new public square.
The three new traders have opened in recent weeks and have settled well into the community of traders:
The Vintage Spot is the go-to destination for sustainable clothing and accessories for men, women and children in the market. The stall is the brainchild of Shaf who already runs the Guroma Bangladeshi street food stall in the market with his brother Saif, and has opened The Vintage Spot with his partner Lydia. Shaf said: “Gone are the days where ‘vintage shop’ hails a vision of dimly lit rooms, unloved clothing and the smell of mothballs; The Vintage Spot is here to change all that!”
Ruby Hair & Beauty opened by Ruby, an experienced hairdresser and beauty therapist, having trained at Cheshire College and worked in Spain, in spas and most recently at Ellesmere Port Market, but this is Ruby’s first venture on her own. Ruby offers a wide range of treatments, specialising in eyebrow and eyelashes alongside waxing and hair dressing. Ruby said: “I am really excited to be setting up my own business and I couldn’t think of a better place than Chester Market – I love the atmosphere and the wonderful community of traders we have here.”
& Friends stock a wide range of jewellery, cards, candles, scents, home fragrances, art prints and craft kits. Owned by partners Yasmin and James, & Friends was born in summer 2023 with their first shop in Heswall and now Chester Market is their second outlet. James said: “We’re big on shopping small, so the driving force behind & Friends is to give small businesses, designers and makers the opportunity to get ‘retail ready’ and showcase their brands in a professional retail setting and championing them to our customers; we are delighted to be expanding into the incredible Chester Market and look forward to expanding our range and offering craft courses too.”
Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said: “Its is wonderful to see Chester Market going from strength to strength with all stalls occupied and attracting such quality new goods and service traders whilst continuing to achieve such a huge footfall is a tremendous feat.
“The market has helped transform the city centre and is now a huge hit with residents and visitors alike; our plans for Northgate Phase 2 will help to further boost the city centre by creating new spaces to live work and play to replace the former market and Forum site.”
For more details about the market see www.chester.market
Local Charities Unite at the Middle Row Market
Middle Row Market was buzzing with excitement as the first United Charities Market took place
Celebrating the Grand Opening of Lincoln’s Historic Cornhill Market
The NABMA President Councillor Chris Poulter recently attended the official opening of the newly refurbished City of Lincoln Cornhill Market on Friday, 17 May.
Celebrating 250 Years of Oxford’s Covered Market
Oxford’s beloved Covered Market is about to reach an extraordinary milestone, celebrating its 250th anniversary.
Ellesmere Port Market transformation set to start
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Planning Committee has granted permission for the Ellesmere Port Market transformation plans (Tuesday 12 March).
Chester Market celebrates its first birthday with two million visits
Chester’s new market marked its first birthday on 11 and 12 November with a weekend of celebrations and fundraising.
Plans to Transform Ellesmere Port Market – Have your say
Plans have been published to improve the market, designed to improve the appearance and thermal efficiency of the market hall, support local market traders and help future-proof Ellesmere Port Market for many more years to come. A public consultation is now open until 12 November: