The Magic Formula Behind Britain's Favourite Market

“It’s all about the content” says Kate Gittins, the visionary former manager credited with developing the peculiar chemistry of Shrewsbury Market Hall - a formula which has seen it awarded Britain’s Favourite Market for the third consecutive year.

“Aesthetically, it’s probably one of the ugliest buildings in the country. But people now see beyond that and absolutely love what’s inside. Now if you were to say 'we’re going to knock the whole thing down', people would lay in front of the diggers.”

Why do locals feel so passionately about this eye-offending piece of brutalist architecture with its 240ft clock tower? Passionately enough to log on and vote repeatedly for Shrewsbury Market Hall, for three years in a row? It’s an unprecedented run of wins; no other UK market has attracted such devotion.

The soul of this place is its people, the 60 odd stallholders themselves. They’re a remarkably eclectic bunch. Everywhere you look, folks are knitting, making, sewing, frying, baking, steaming, chopping, weighing, pouring, serving or primping their stalls - all the while interacting with customers. There’s a mutual fondness and a shared sense of pride, as though everyone is delighted to be here. It’s a complete love-in.

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