Iconic New Covent Garden Market celebrates 50 years south of the river

The UK’s largest wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market is celebrating 50 years of trading in South London.

New Covent Garden Market moved out of the West End to Nine Elms, in Battersea in November 1974.

A vital lifeline for London’s culinary and floristry trades, the market has been feeding and flowering the capital for decades with customers inluding luxury institutions like Harrods, Claridge’s, the capital’s top Michelin starred restaurants, the Royal Households and the animals of ZSL London Zoo.

To mark the anniversary, wholesalers have shared their memories of the market over the years.

Gary Marshall, owner of New Covent Garden Market wholesaler Bevington Salads and chairman of the New Covent Garden Tenants Association, has worked at the market for nearly 45 years.

He said: “I’ve seen how this market has changed over the decades, with my happy memories of the market stretching all the way back to being a teenager.

“I followed my father and grandfather into the market trade and like other wholesalers here, I’m proud to say that my business is being passed on through the generations.

“New Covent Garden Market is more than just a market. We’re the lifeblood of the supply chain in London and the South East of England.

“It is testament to the continued passion, commitment and expertise of every trader here that we can say New Covent Garden Market was the market leader a century ago, the market leader 50 years ago and we remain the wholesale market leader now.”

Covent Garden Market has a long and colourful history. The original location in the West End which gave the market its name, played host to horticulture markets for centuries.

The first written reference to “the new market in Covent Garden” dates back as far as 1654.

In the 1970s, the market relocated to Nine Elms on the South Bank, officially opening for business on 11 November 1974.

The late Queen Elizabeth II opened the site at a ceremony the following year.

Now, New Covent Garden Market’s 175 wholesale traders sell fruit, vegetables and flowers throughout the year from their 35 acre site. The traders typically work through the night, bringing an annual turnover of nearly £900million.

This treasure trove of flavours and florals spans everything from Tahiti limes sourced from Marrakech to the finest English asparagus from Evesham.

Due to its ‘round-the clock’ operations, the market has been home to several public houses in its time and still plays host to its own cafes, and a Post Office.

Wanda Goldwag chair of New Covent Garden Market Authority, says: “New Covent Garden Market has been the beating heart of London’s food supply chain for 50 years.

“Providing the freshest produce to our vibrant city is so much more than a job for our wholesalers, it’s their passion and their livelihood and for many of them, it has been a baton to pass on through generations.

“We’re incredibly proud to represent a diverse market with so much history. As we reflect on the legacy of this great market, we also look ahead to the next 50 years.

“The challenges of today – from sustainability to evolving customer demands – mean we must work harder than ever to ensure New Covent Garden Market remains a thriving hub for generations to come.

“Our commitment to nurturing the market and supporting the communities it serves has never been stronger.”

For more information, visit newcoventgardenmarket.com or follow on social media at @marketfood and @marketflowers.

Pictured top: Flowers being purchased at Covent Garden market (Picture: Clive-Boursnell)