Wellington Market’s Ghostly Visitor

On the 4th May 2013, Wellington’s popular indoor market would seem to have received a visit from a ghostly apparition.  Staff from the market discovered that there had been an apparent intruder when they opened up on Saturday morning and found a large amount of stock from a shoe stall had been scattered down a metal staircase leading to the market manager’s office.  A quick viewing of the market’s security camera footage  revealed something altogether more sinister.Kay Boakye, the market’s manager, explained: “It was really creepy looking at the footage from

Luton’s Market Celebrates its 40th with a £40k Cash Competition

Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – On Friday, 27th January 2012, Luton’s popular indoor market will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a day of festivities including a real highlight with a massive scratchcard promotion that will give one lucky shopper the chance to win £40,000.Opened in 1972 as the first phase of the then-named Arndale Centre development – at a time when Edward Heath was prime minister, the average weekly wage was £58 and television shows such as ‘Emmerdale Farm’ and ‘Are You Being Served?’ both hit the airwaves for the first time. To mark the anniversary, a day of celebrations

Market Leader Moves into Retail Asset Management

London, UK – Wellington Market Company Plc (WMCo) - the UK’s largest private operator of traditional markets - has announced a move into asset management for the wider retail sector.In launching its new company, which has been named Activate Assets Ltd, WMCo has signalled a significant change of direction - brought about as part of a programme of diversification that has been introduced by its chief executive, Malcolm Ball.  Drawing on its parent company’s 700-year retail heritage, Activate Assets Ltd, has created an attractive proposition for asset owners by bring together all of the

Town’s Market Pays Shoppers Bills

Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – Luton’s popular indoor market has launched a novel promotion that involves the market’s manager randomly selecting shoppers and reimbursing them for their purchases.Taking place from Monday to Thursday for the entire month of October, one shopper every day will be picked at random and paid back for the items that they have bought – a move that is expected cost the market thousands of pounds. Dave Gibbs, manager with Town and Country Markets Ltd, the company responsible for the day-to-day operation of the market said: “This is a great job to have. I’ll wander

Town’s Market is on the Lookout for Santa

Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – Luton’s indoor market is on the lookout for a very special person to take up the fully-paid, seasonal role of Santa Claus at the market throughout December to help raise money for local charities.For the first time in the market’s history, it will be constructing a magical grotto where local children will be able to meet Santa and receive a gift. Dave Gibbs, manager with Town and Country Markets Ltd, the company responsible for the day-to-day operation of the market said: “We ideally need someone that has the archetypal physique of Santa – the beard is of course

Old Spitalfields Market Autumn and Christmas Events Calendar

Spitalfields, London, UK – Old Spitalfields Market has announced its next three months of exciting events at the historic shopping destination. From October and November - through to December’s Christmas shopping season – which includes one lucky shopper getting the chance to win a massive £120,000 - the events taking place are:October 2011 12th October - 12pm to 2pm | Spitalfield’s Got Soul: in aid of Black History Month Join us for a soulful celebration of in aid of Black History Month. This free event includes unique art and craft stalls, a live musical tribute to the great black

Special Lamb Street Market Returns to Spitalfields

Spitalfields, London, UK – With Origin: The London Craft Fair, being hosted for the second year running at Old Spitalfields Market next month, the market’s operator has announced the return of a special street market taking place in Lamb Street.This special market is being jointly hosted by Wellington Market Company, Spitalfields Traders Market and Ballymore, the companies responsible for the two neighbouring stall markets. Just off Commercial Road and a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the Lamb Street markets will feature a vast collection of stalls and an eclectic mix of goods

Ladies Learn Market Trading at Old Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields, London, UK – On Sunday 11th and 18th September 2011, Old Spitalfields Market is playing host to a group of young women from the youth unemployment social venture ‘You Make It’. The group, which is the venture’s pilot project, is called Ladies Who L-EARN and they have been given hands-on experience in setting up and managing their own market stalls - specialising in the sales of designer-maker products sourced through Cockpit Arts.The products on offer will include: illustrated cards by Naomi Ryder; Spotme buttons by Katie Baton; Yoyo Ceramic speech bubbles and notebooks from

The Cream of Jewellery Talent Lined Up for JewelEast Event

A Right Royal Celebration at Old Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields, London, UK – From Friday 29th April though to Monday 2nd May, Old Spitalfields Market, near Liverpool Street Station, is hosting a weekend of free special events. On Friday 29th April and to mark the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Old Spitalfields Market is laying-on large-screen televisions to allow shoppers to enjoy the ceremony whilst browsing the shops and stalls in the market hall. Revellers will be able to enjoy refreshments at a special pop-up bar that is being laid on for the day’s festivities. Football fans will also be able to celebrate the staging of

JewelEast Launches at Old Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields, London, UK – London Jewellery Week and Old Spitalfields Market have joined forces to present an innovative showcase of exciting new jewellery designers, fabulous costume and vintage jewellery at the historic London site. Called ‘JewelEast’ the event will take place four times a year, with a week-long celebration during June’s London Jewellery week, which will include workshops, demonstrations and a catwalk event. These free events, are open to the public every Tuesday (11am to 7pm) throughout March, June, October and November, including the full seven days of Jewellery Week –

Old Spitalfields Market Swishing

Tickets for this Saturday’s (5th February 2011) Swishing event at Old Spitalfields Market are selling well, according to the event’s organiser. Ellie Barnatt, events manager at Old Spitalfields Market, said:”We’ve had a fantastic response from members of the public wanting to come along and, judging by the number of tickets sold, there’s going to be a lot of garments and accessories for the ‘swishers’ to choose from.” “Clearly, there’s a great demand from shoppers, for low-cost ways to refresh their wardrobes, particularly as spring is fast approaching. This event is set to be our biggest

Historic London Market Wins National Award

Spitalfields, London, UK – Thursday 27th January, 2011 – One of London’s most popular and historic shopping destinations, Old Spitalfields Market (OSM), has today been acknowledged as ‘Best Private Market’ in a national awards ceremony. Well known for its fashion, food and antiques; the market is a bustling home to around 200 independent traders, selling an eclectic mix of goods during the six market days held there every week. Graham Wilson, chief executive of NABMA, the organisation responsible for the awards ceremony, said: “The level of entries in this category was the best since the

Swishing Event at Old Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields, London, UK – Saturday 5th February 2011 will see the return of ‘Swishing’ - the fun way to swap unwanted clothes and accessories – to an historic London indoor market. Taking place at Old Spitalfields Market (OSM), a venue that’s renowned for its array of fashion designers and retailers, members of the public can drop off their unwanted garments, shoes and accessories in the morning – then return later in the day to choose someone else’s. Ellie Barnatt, events manager at OSM, said: “Our previous swishing events have proven to be really popular with shoppers, so we’re

Historic London Market Hosts Free Winter Fashion Show

Spitalfields, London – At 1pm on the 10th December 2010, Old Spitalfields Market, near Liverpool Street Station, will be showcasing the best in winter fashion on a specially-constructed 30ft long catwalk which will act as the focal point for the afternoon’s event. The show, which is free to attend, will be themed around a Winter in Moscow and Festive Frolics – set in the splendour of the Victorian indoor market hall, which has been decked out for the Christmas season. Drawing on a rich vein of fashion excellence that runs throughout the area, the day’s events are a true collaboration

Indoor Market Reopens 10 Days after Floods

St. Austell, Cornwall, UK – 24th November 2010 – Following the devastating floods that hit Cornwall last week, St. Austell’s popular indoor market hall, Cornish Market World, will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November) – a mere ten days on. The market’s owner and all of the 86 independent traders have worked around the clock to clear up after the flood water washed through the 80,000 square-foot building. Tony Thomas, manager with Town and Country Markets Ltd., the company that operates the site, said: “As you can imagine, there was a scene of utter

Flooding Hits the South West’s Largest Indoor Market

St. Austell, Cornwall, UK – 17th November 2010 - St. Austell’s popular indoor market hall, Cornish Market World, has been another victim of the flash-floods that have hit Cornwall. The site, located at Par’s Stadium Retail Park, is home to around 86 traders, plus Kidzworld - the children’s soft-play attraction and The Kids Academy – an Ofsted-approved nursery and childcare facility. Malcolm Ball, chief executive of Town and Country Markets Ltd., the company that operates the site, himself a Cornishman, said: “Like everyone that has been affected by these floods, we are absolutely devastated

Historic London Market Finds ‘Flash’ Winners

Spitalfields, London, UK – 29th October 2010 - Following a recent competition held by Old Spitalfields Market to reintroduce the ancient arts of ‘Flash’ and ‘Banter’ at its site near Liverpool Street station, the public votes have now been counted and two winning traders have been awarded cash prizes. ‘Banter’ - essentially a market trader’s light-hearted (and often slightly cheeky) verbal interaction with customers, and ‘Flash’ - the visual presentation of the market stall are both ways in which a trader can make themselves stand out from their fellow stallholders and other local competing

Photo Call: Historic London Market Flash and Banter Competition Winners

Historic London Market Flash and Banter Competition Winners What: Following a recent competition to revive the ancient art of Flash and Banter in London markets, Wellington Market Company, the operator of Old Spitalfields Market will be presenting the winning market trader, Darren Charman of ‘The Funky Fingers’, with a cash prize of £750. Who: Funky Fingers are renowned for their exciting range of decoupage shoes, bangles, rings, bags and purses – plus an assortment of jewellery and other items. When: Friday, 29th October 2010 at 11am Where: Old Spitalfields Market 16 Horner Square

Historic London Venue Revealed as Popular Event Choice

Spitalfields, London, UK – Old Spitalfields Market (OSM), one of London’s most historic indoor venues, has firmly established itself on the event industry’s radar with a season of high-profile events taking place within its Victorian market hall. Sited near to Liverpool Street Station and in the heart of the City, Old Spitalfields Market has recently played host to the Japanese Matsuri Cultural Festival, Thomson Reuters EIKON Launch, The London Restaurant Festival’s Award Ceremony and Origin: The London Craft Fair - an event that, for the last few years, has been held at Somerset House.

£75K Business Competition Deadline Extended

Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – September 2010 – Following last month’s launch of a £75,000, Dragon’s Den-style competition, by the operator of Luton’s indoor market, the organisers have announced that the deadline for registration has been extended by a further two weeks. This has been done to allow budding entrepreneurs that may have missed the competition’s launch due to the summer holidays, have a chance to register their interest. Town and Country Markets Ltd, the company that operates the popular market inside The Mall, is calling on individuals or groups to submit their ideas for

Lamb Street Market launched at Spitalfields

Spitalfields, London, UK – To mark the much-anticipated arrival of Origin: The London Craft Fair, that is being hosted at Old Spitalfields Market later this month, the market’s operators have announced that there will be a new, street market running for three consecutive weeks in Lamb Street. This special market is being jointly hosted by Wellington Market Company, Hammerson and Ballymore, the companies responsible for the two neighbouring stall markets. Just off Commercial Road and a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the Lamb Street market will take place on Sunday 12th, 19th and

£75K of Business Support up for Grabs in Luton's Lair

Luton, Bedfordshire, UK – August 2010 – Budding entrepreneurs in the Bedfordshire town of Luton have a glimmer of hope with the launch of a brand new Dragons’ Den-style competition being hosted by the operator of the Town’s indoor market – with a prize worth around £75,000 to the lucky winner. Town and Country Markets Ltd, the company that operates the popular market inside The Mall, is calling on individuals or groups to submit their ideas for establishing a brand new business in the indoor market. Dave Gibbs, market manager, explained: “We know that there are a lot of people out there