New Covent Garden Market, the UK’s largest wholesale fruit, vegetable, and flower market, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in South London. The market, which moved to Nine Elms in Battersea in November 1974, has been a vital lifeline for London’s culinary and floristry trades, supplying luxury institutions like Harrods, Claridge’s, Michelin-starred restaurants, the Royal Households, and even the animals at ZSL London Zoo.
To commemorate the milestone, wholesalers at the market have shared their memories of the past five decades. Gary Marshall, owner of Bevington Salads and chairman of the New Covent Garden Tenants Association, has been working at the market for almost 45 years. He expressed his pride in following his family’s footsteps in the market trade and emphasized the market’s significance as the lifeblood of the supply chain in London and the South East of England.
New Covent Garden Market has a rich history dating back to the 17th century when the original location in the West End hosted horticulture markets. The market relocated to Nine Elms in the 1970s, where it has thrived ever since. With 175 wholesale traders operating on a 35-acre site, the market generates an annual turnover of nearly £900 million by selling a diverse range of products, from Tahiti limes to English asparagus.
Wanda Goldwag, the chair of New Covent Garden Market Authority, highlighted the market’s role as the beating heart of London’s food supply chain and its importance to both the traders and the communities it serves. Looking towards the future, she emphasized the need to address current challenges such as sustainability and changing customer demands to ensure the market’s continued success for the next 50 years.
As New Covent Garden Market enters its next chapter, the commitment to nurturing the market and supporting its communities remains stronger than ever. For more information about the market, visit their website at newcoventgardenmarket.com or follow them on social media at @marketfood and @marketflowers.
