Borough Market, London

Candidate: Borough Market
Location: London, UK
Category: The Great Place Award
Year: 2007
Other Finalists in this category: Brindleyplace, Birmingham and St Stephen's Green, Dublin

Introduction

Borough Market is located just to the south side of London Bridge at the junction of Southark Street and Borough High Street. The triangular site measuring approximately 4.5 acres is bounded by the High Street, Stoney Street and Winchester Walk. The market is located immediately to the south of Southark Cathedral at the southern end of London Bridge.A market has been present in this location for over one thousand years. It was relocated to its present site in 1756 in the shadow of St Saviour’s Church.

The Market has been voted London’s most popular market in the Time Out’s publication’s retail surveys. In 2003 it won the Visit London award for the most popular London experience, also voted for by the public. Similar accolades have appeared in the Evening Standard magazine as well as national newspapers. Borough Market has become a model for markets all over the UK. The market has become twinned with Boqueria Market in Barcelona.

Borough Market is a living example of the 24 hour city. It has demonstrated flexibility as the functions of this place have changed to respond to customer preference, whilst maintaining its role as a important destination within Southwark. In looking to the future the growing debate over diet, problems with obesity and the sustainability of the way we produce food, it has been suggested that the role of the market can act as an educational focus as well as continuing its historic social role. Borough Market is located in an enclosed and uncompromising location with limited frontage to Borough High Street.