Best Large Outdoor Market award for St Albans charter market

St Albans charter market has won a prestigious national award in recognition of its growth, vibrancy and place at the heart of city. 

The voice of UK markets, the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), made the award at their annual conference day on 25 January.

Liberal Democrat District Councillor Jacqui Taylor who collected the award alongside the St Albans District Council's Market team said: "We are absolutely delighted that our historic Charter market has won this award. 

"It has not been easy leading a council through the challenges of Covid and dealing with the financial mismanagement the previous Conservative administration left us with. 

"We are proud that we kept our Charter market open throughout the covid pandemic in the face of calls to close it, including from the local Conservative leader at the time, and we have turned the finances round so the market is no longer losing c.£100k per year – a hefty price tag that fell on the shoulders of council taxpayers." 

The Young Market Traders Association also spoke at the NABMA conference about how markets are incubators for new businesses to get going and what markets can do to support them to thrive. Figures for St Albans charter market in December showed the highest number of pitches taken by traders since 2016.

Local Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to work hard to grow our award-winning market by working hand-in-glove with market traders and city centre businesses, for the benefit of our local community.