Chelmsford Market nationally recognised as ‘Innovation Champions’

Chelmsford Market has been recognised by the National Association of British Markets (NABMA) as the ‘Innovation Champion’ of its global campaign, Love Your Local Market.

The market was commended for its engaging activities and events, celebrating Chelmsford’s local culture and community, and encouraging visitors to support local businesses.

This is the second time in two years that Chelmsford Market has received a Love Your Local Market award, with Chelmsford Markets and Shopmobility Manager, Pauline Rider, winning Market Manager of the Year (Small Markets) in 2023.

Love Your Local Market campaign

NABMA’s Love Your Local Market campaign is a celebration of community spirit and local commerce. It aims to inspire local businesses to find innovative ways to revitalise their high streets, while encouraging consumers to recognise the vital role of markets within their local communities.

Any market in the UK can sign up to the campaign for free, with top contributors receiving awards for their participation. This year’s theme was “celebrating local markets” and over 400 markets across the UK took part.

Chelmsford Market named Innovation Champions

Of the more than 400 markets that participated in Love Your Local Market 2024, NABMA chose 15 champions, each recognised for their outstanding contribution to the campaign and their dedication to celebrating local markets. Chelmsford Market was one of those 15, receiving the title of ‘Innovation Champions’.

The Chelmsford Market team were praised for hosting engaging activities and events, such as their Easter bunny hunt and bead workshops. Their ‘Instagram Bench’ was also highlighted by NABMA as an example of revitalising the market’s appeal to customers. The bench’s decorations are regularly updated for different celebrations, events, and seasons.

Celebrating local culture

Love Your Local Market encourages the celebration of local culture and community. So it's no surprise that, in awarding Chelmsford Market with the ‘Innovators of the Year’ title, they referenced its collaboration with local artists and organisers during Concrete Canvas as a standout achievement.

Chelmsford Market provided space for multiple artists during this year’s Concrete Canvas.

This year, Chelmsford For You’s street art festival brought together local artists, from Chelmsford and across Essex, to create artworks that spotlight Chelmsford’s history. Councillor Simon Goldman, Cabinet Deputy for Economic Development and Special Projects, says the market is a big part of that history:

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“Chelmsford’s market dates back to the year 1199, when King John granted the Bishop of London the right to hold a weekly market within 'his manor of Chelmersford'. Now, the indoor market is open to Chelmsford’s residents and visitors five days a week and we have our High Street Market every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, too.

“We’re lucky to have traders who provide a wide variety of services and products, including locally sourced produce, right on our doorstep. This award from NABMA shows that the traders and the Market’s management team work hard to keep this long-running staple of Chelmsford a relevant and important part of life in our city.”

Cllr Simon Goldman, Cabinet Deputy for Economic Development and Special Projects, Chelmsford City Council

Contributing to the local community

Love Your Local Market spotlights the role markets play in their communities, from providing affordable goods to making customers feel welcome and cared for. The manager of Chelmsford Market, Pauline Rider, says this is all down to the market’s traders:

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“It’s the traders who keep the spirit of community alive and strong. Many of our stall holders have been here for generations and they work hard to ensure that the market remains the welcoming space it has always been.

“Just one example is Alan O’Brien, who’s stall Hat City, which he runs with his son, Brady, has been here for over a decade. With support from the city council, Alan hands out free anti-theft wallet/purse bells – not just to his customers, but to anyone who wants them. He does this to support a safe, enjoyable shopping environment for all. And, during the Love Your Local Market campaign, Alan completed the Macmillan Mighty London Half Marathon Hike, raising over £1,300 for charity. We’re very proud of him and all he does for the community.”

Pauline Rider, Chelmsford Markets and Shopmobility Manager

Alan O’Brien and the anti-theft bells and wallet cables he hands out at his stall, Hat City.

Congratulations to everyone at Chelmsford Market for this national recognition!

To learn more about our award-winning market and keep up-to-date with community events, head to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/chelmsford-market.