A fixture in the heart of historic Whitechapel, the market was praised for its commitment to sustainability, its efforts to support young traders, and its deep-rooted connection to the local community.
Whitechapel Market has been named Best Large Outdoor Market at the 2025 Great British Markets Awards (GBMA), cementing its status as a thriving centre of trade, culture, and community.
A fixture in the heart of historic Whitechapel, the market was praised for its commitment to sustainability, its efforts to support young traders, and its deep-rooted connection to the local community. Judges recognised its innovative approach to fostering new business and its dynamic role in preserving Whitechapel’s rich cultural heritage while embracing modern needs.
With a history stretching back to at least 1665, when it operated as a hay market, Whitechapel Market has long been a gathering place for traders and customers alike. Over the centuries, it has been a vital point of arrival for London’s immigrant communities, from the Jewish population in the late nineteenth century to the Bangladeshi community that has flourished since the 1970s. Today, it remains a bustling six-day-a-week market with more than 80 traders offering fresh produce, fish, clothing, household goods, and street food, serving as an essential hub for locals and visitors.
Recent years have seen a focus on nurturing young entrepreneurs and enhancing the market’s role in the local economy. In 2024, the market hosted the National Market Traders Federation’s Young Traders Market, providing a platform for 16- to 30-year-olds to showcase and sell their goods as part of a national competition. Additionally, secondary school students participated in the Know Your Onions campaign, selling homegrown produce and gaining valuable business experience.
“Whitechapel Market is a hub of history, culture, and community – and it’s only getting better.”
Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member
Whitechapel Market has also embraced the arts, hosting a three-day exhibition by a local artist celebrating the ‘Women of Whitechapel,’ shining a light on the borough’s female figures through powerful visual storytelling. Beyond commerce and culture, the market has prioritised trader wellbeing. Tower Hamlets Council, in partnership with Tower Hamlets GP Care Group and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided free health checks for traders during working hours, ensuring those who form the backbone of the market are supported.
Traders expressed their joy at receiving the accolade. Nurzaman Choudhury, who has been trading at Whitechapel Market for 13 years, said: “I’m very happy to win this award.” Hasan Darwish, a trader of 23 years, added: “I’m really happy working as a self-employed trader here. Our community is very good, we get a lot of help from the management, and the traders are very friendly as well.”
Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, highlighted the market’s significance: “Whitechapel Market is a hub of history, culture, and community – and it’s only getting better. Since 2021, the council has worked in partnership with traders and the wider community, investing £9.3 million to improve market infrastructure while enhancing the public realm. With our passionate traders and the larger supportive community, we know that the market will continue to thrive, offering new opportunities while preserving its traditions.”
The annual GBMA awards, hosted by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), celebrate the vital role of markets in local communities, regeneration, and tourism. This year, Whitechapel Market was one of two Tower Hamlets markets recognised. Columbia Road Flower Market was also named Best Small Market, further highlighting the borough’s strength in market trading.
Last year, Tower Hamlets’ Petticoat Lane Food Court was honoured as the Best Specialty Market, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a vibrant trading destination.
Whitechapel Market is open from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, continuing its long-standing tradition of offering diverse goods and fostering community spirit.
ALSO READ: Starmer heads to US
