Board to advise Sadiq on action to support and promote city’s markets
Major new report explores social and economic value of markets
Londoners can explore capital’s markets through new interactive map
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a bold package of measures to help protect and grow London’s vibrant street markets.
Sadiq has created the capital’s first-ever London Markets Board, a team of industry experts and experienced business leaders who have been tasked with ensuring that markets continue to flourish, support growth in high streets and town centres, and remain vibrant attractions for all Londoners and visitors to the capital.
The board will advise the Mayor on the delivery of a London markets strategy, and on action to support and promote the capital’s wholesale, street and covered markets.
The Mayor also published a new report – ‘Understanding London’s Markets’ – examining the social and economic value of markets in London. The report makes 12 key recommendations on making markets work effectively, supporting local people, driving prosperity and improving the local areas in which they are based. They include:
- Encouraging innovation in markets
- Supporting diversity across the markets sector
- Strengthening opportunities to access healthy food
As part of the report, the first-ever interactive online map capturing London’s markets has been created (http://maps.london.gov.uk/street-markets). The map allows people to search for local markets and filter by functions such as market type and opening times. The map also includes a feature to allow users to submit information on markets to keep it updated over time.
London’s markets are a key part of the capital’s international identity. In 2010 there were 162 markets – today there are 280. Street markets contribute almost £250 million to London’s economy each year and retail markets account for 13,250 jobs.
The Mayor is committed to doing all that he can to ensure they continue to thrive and remain a vital part of life in London, bringing diverse social, cultural and economic benefits that will help to deliver his vision of a City for All Londoners.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “From the smallest groups of traders serving their neighbourhoods for generations, to those which attract millions of people each year from across London and around the world, London’s markets are a crucial part of our economy and our communities.
“The number of markets in London has risen in recent years but we mustn’t rest on our laurels – this is an area which has the potential to grow and grow, and I’m determined to do all I can to help our markets thrive.”
The London Markets Board met for the first time today at Borough Market, where co-chair Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, announced that London will host the 10th International Public Markets Conference in June 2019, in partnership with Project for Public Spaces (PPS).
The conference is held in a different city every three years and brings together international representatives from the markets sector to explore the changing forces that are shaping public markets around the world.
Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The Mayor and I want Londoners and visitors to support markets across the city, not just the ones closest to home or where they’re staying while in the capital. That’s why we’ve launched this interactive map of London’s markets to open up the huge range of traders and businesses on offer.
“Markets have been an important part of London life for centuries and we’re committed to helping this continue long into the future.”
Helen Evans, co-chair of the London Markets Board, said: “Whether they ARE public or private, retail or wholesale, London’s markets contribute economically and socially to the wellbeing of the capital. But they also face challenges.
“That is why this new London Markets Board is so important. Its creation not only recognises the value of markets, often overlooked, it also faces up to the challenges and will recommend solutions. I am delighted to be a member of this new Board and look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure London’s markets continue to bring diversity and vibrancy to our capital.”
Debbie Carpenter, market development manager at London Borough of Camden and London Markets Board member, said: “I feel privileged to be part of the Mayor of London’s first London Market Board. I look forward to working through the challenges ahead with other Board members to ensure London’s markets have a voice in their future so they are able to grow and prosper attracting increased visitor numbers, creating new employment opportunities and continue serving their local communities.”
Darren Henaghan, Managing Director of Borough Market said: “Markets have played a vital role in London’s social and economic life for centuries, and they continue to be hugely important to the fabric of the city. Right now, London is home to some of the most vibrant street markets in the world, but we can all do more to benefit the diverse communities that we serve. Thankfully, the communal nature of markets means that collaboration is something that comes naturally to us.
“At Borough Market, we are always happy to share our values, knowledge and understanding with others, while seeking every possible opportunity to listen and learn. We hope that the London Markets Board will offer a platform for us to contribute to the preservation and sustained success of these markets, upon which so many people depend.”
Executive Vice President of Project for Public Spaces, Steve Davies, said: “We are excited to be hosting our next international conference in London. The economic and social power of markets is often underestimated. The number and diversity of markets in the city, along with the Mayor’s recent policy initiatives, make London a perfect place to showcase the opportunities for creating a true ‘market city’.”
While at Borough Market, Jules Pipe and the board members met traders who have received a share of £235,000 through the Mayor’s Business Continuity Fund, set up to support businesses affected by the terrorist attacks in Westminster Bridge, Finsbury Park and London Bridge, as well as the Grenfell Tower fire.
Nadia Stokes, from Gourmet Goat, said: “As a small-scale producer working with independent suppliers and fresh produce the very humbling generosity of the donations to the trader support was hugely important. We, like many, faced severe financial difficulty, loss of stock and total depletion of our savings so that we could cover our significant losses.
“The extra financial support has alleviated an incredible amount of ongoing stress because we can now allocate money for all the stock we lost, honouring our agreements with our suppliers and loss of earnings. As well as financial support, the continued fundraising efforts gave real meaning to London stands together.”
Paul Day, who runs Sussex Fish, said: “The money I received through the Business Continuity Fund allowed me to keep trading. As a fishmonger with a high-value product that has a short shelf life, I rely on daily business to get by, so am thankful that the response from the Traders Support Fund, the Mayor and Borough Market was so quick – we have all felt supported throughout the process.”
Notes to editors
The London Markets Board members are:
Jules Pipe – Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills and co-chair of the Markets Board. Jules was formerly the Mayor of Hackney and chair of London Councils.
Helen Evans – Director of Business Development at New Covent Garden Markets. Helen is also a member of the London Food Board and the co-chair of the Markets Board.
Darren Henaghan – Managing Director of Borough Market. Darren has worked as Director of Environment for the London Borough of Ealing. After training as a civil engineer, he has worked in senior positions at Barking and Dagenham and Ealing councils.
Debbie Carpenter – Market development manager at London Borough of Camden. Debbie previously worked for over 20 years as market manager at Tower Hamlets council.
Diane Cunningham – Director of The Assembly Line. Diane co-founded Chatsworth Road market in Hackney where she was a director of the Community Interest Company (CIC) and sat on the Street Markets Advisory Board, a cabinet level group at the London Borough of Hackney.
Graham Wilson – National Association of British Market Authorities. Graham is the former CEO and legal advisor and has an in-depth knowledge of markets legislation.
Hazel Simmonds – Consultant with MAC-UK, which engages with the UK's most deprived young people to improve their well-being. Hazel was previously Interim Assistant Director at Hampshire County Council for Economic Development and Deputy Director for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration at Hackney where she had responsibility for markets and small businesses.
Hilary Paxman – Chief Executive of National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). Hilary has worked in a range of departments in the civil service, and worked on local economic growth issues and leading on the Government’s response to the Select Committee report on markets.
Ian Dodds – Head of markets, KERB. Ian has developed and now oversees a portfolio of six London street food markets.
John Burton – Urban Space Management. A chartered surveyor, John managed Greenwich Market, Gravesend Heritage Quarter, Swindon Market Hall and West Silvertown retail. He has been involved in regeneration of markets across England and London.
John Shepherd – Managing Director of Partridges of Duke of York Square on the King’s Road. John has many years’ experience in the world of food.
Kay Richardson – Director of Space Embrace Community Interest Company. Kay is also a grant holder for the Wellcome Trust and will deliver public health-themed festivals in 2018.
Cllr Nadia Shah – Camden Councillor. Nadia has been a councillor since 2014. She has been on the council executive, became the first female British Bangladeshi Mayor in 2016/17, and was then elected into the cabinet as cabinet member for Skills Employment and Youth. She is currently the cabinet member for Community Safety. Both of her cabinet positions included markets in her portfolio. She is also involved in managing a family business.
Cllr Rachel Tripp – Newham Councillor. Rachel‘s experience includes working at the Health Professions Council which gives her an excellent understanding of regulation, particularly of designing systems that combine accessibility with robust public protection.
Seamus Adams – Head of Service Parking and Markets at London Borough of Hackney. Seamus is responsible for managing and overseeing all Hackney street markets.
Stuart Horwood – Brixton Traders Association. Stuart is one of the founding directors of the Brixton Market Traders’ Federation. Has been a local trader since 1984.
Joe Harrison (board advisor) – Chief Executive of the National Markets Traders Federation (NMTF). Joe has been appointed as an advisor to the London Markets Board. The NMTF was founded in 1899 and is the UK’s only national trade association for market and street traders, events retailers and mobile caterers.
The new London Markets Board is 50 per cent male, 50 per cent female. In addition, 13 per cent of its members are from a BAME background.
Report recommendations
The recommendations in ‘Understanding London’s Markets’ are:
- Set an action plan for a London markets strategy
- Identify how local authority market operators can maximise social value and work positively within the existing legislation
- Lobby for a full review of the current markets legislation
- Define different types of markets
- Help markets evidence the diverse social benefit they provide
- Encourage innovation in markets
- Support diversity across the markets sector
- Strengthen opportunities to access healthy food
- Lower barriers to entry for traders
- Make markets places to build careers
- Maximise markets as valued places for communities
- Promote a practical design approach to markets
About the Project for Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is an internationally-recognised, non-profit organisation founded in 1975, whose mission is to create and sustain public spaces which build community. PPS’s pioneering placemaking approach helps citizens transform their public spaces into vital places that highlight local assets, spur rejuvenation and serve common needs.