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It’s the largest of its kind in Wales, famous for its saltmarsh lamb, fresh Gower cockles and laverbread - now Swansea’s famous indoor market has been named the best in the UK.

In an award ceremony in Birmingham, Swansea Market beat off more than 80 others to be named Great Britain’s best large indoor market by NABMA – the National Association of British Market Authorities.

'Jewel in the crown'

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “This award is well-deserved recognition of the hard work of our fantastic market traders and everyone involved with the promotion and running of the attraction.

“If you speak to anyone who lives or shops in Swansea Bay, they’ll tell you the market is the jewel in our retail crown. It makes a brilliant contribution to the city centre’s reputation for individuality."

Social media

During their deliberations judges highlighted Swansea Market’s excellent use of social media, its support for new traders, its events programme, its promotion in the community and its partnership working alongside other organisations.

The historic market has designated accounts on Twitter and Facebook and uses social media to offer promotions with partners.

Each trader is also given their own webpage on the www.swanseaindoormarket.co.uk website and then encouraged to take part in a programme of promotional activities and events.

Swansea Market is also regularly promoted to schoolchildren and students in the city’s universities.

Business booming

Leigh Vaughan, Chairman of the Swansea Market Traders Association, said: “Swansea Market stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons – its unique structure, location in the heart of the city centre and the fact generations of the same families have been trading and shopping here for many years.

“I’ve been involved in the market for over 40 years and I’m now serving the grand-children of people I used to serve.

“Keen to maintain its Welsh feel and renowned for cockles, laverbread and Welsh produce Swansea Market is the original super market.”

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The city centre market has 109 stalls offering everything from fresh local produce and traditional Welsh gifts to jewellery, quality rugs and hair extensions and all but one are now occupied.

History

The current market building, designed by architect Percy Edwards, is the fourth market to be built at the site in 200 years, the site having been used as a market since the Middle Ages.

The previous market on the site had existed since 1894 and was destroyed during bombing raids during World War II.

Robert Francis-Davies added: “A major roof refurbishment project is ongoing at the market until the summer to preserve the attraction for many more years to come, but it’s business as usual throughout because access into and around the market hall is being maintained at all times.”