Rotherham outdoor market named best in country

The town’s street market took the award for the best large outdoor market at the Great British Market Awards in Birmingham  — following up its victory in the same awards three years ago.

The awards saw markets across the country battle it out to be crowned Britain’s best in the national competition run by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

Leeds Market was crowned overall winner by the general public being named Britain’s Favourite Market after more than 100,000 votes were cast online and through social media.

A council spokeswoman said the highly successful street market¬ —which won the best outdoor market award in 2012 — had already expanded to accommodate extra traders due to its popularity, now extending from All Saints’ Square to Effingham Square.

Judges were impressed by the market’s high “footfall”, its good links with the local community and the support that Rotherham’s Market Service provides to the traders.

“The street market was initially brought in to boost trade on what was one of the quietest shopping days of the week for Rotherham’s markets,” the spokeswoman said. 

“It proved so successful that it has expanded from an initial 40 stalls up to 62 and then again to 95.”

The borough council’s advisory Cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “This is fantastic news for Rotherham coming so soon after our success in the Great British High Street Awards.

“The work that the markets team has done with traders, partners and the community has really paid off and we can all be proud that what was the quietest trading day of the week has now become the busiest.”

Rotherham’s Markets operations manager Dean Thurlow added: “The interest for our extended street market has been overwhelming, giving existing traders the option to expand their businesses.

“The local community supports our Tuesday Street Market and now have a wider choice of commodities and services on offer.”