London has a huge concentration of world famous markets such as Portobello Road Market, Camden Market, Petticoat Lane Market, Borough Road Market and Columbia Road Flower Market, all of which sell everything from antique furniture to leather trousers!

 
Outside of the big cities there are small towns known as market towns. These are traditional places some of which have been holding markets on the same day for more than a thousand years. These markets sell more traditional produce such as locally produced breads, cheeses and meats, as well as antiques and electrical items.

Farmer's Markets 

Recently there has been a huge increase in the popularity of farmers markets across the UK. These began as a way for local producers to sell direct to the customer without going through the big supermarkets that control most of the UK food industry today. Now more than 500 ‘farmers markets’ exist across Britain, including all the major cities, where you can buy truly

excellent locally-grown food. 

Market days in the UK were once an important date for the diary, a place our grandparents would go every week to get their provisions. But today, we don’t rely on them for our everyday needs, although they remain an important benefit for any community. They are a great weekly social occasion to shop, meet friends, browse the delicious delicatessen stalls and support local artisan traders.

Rise in Popularity

Recent concerns over global warming and sustainable agriculture has prompted a big change in many Brits. Now that we are more aware of these things, there are calls for a return to more local, quality produce. People want fresher, healthier food, that hasn’t travelled across the globe to get to their plate. It is now considered highly fashionable to shop at your local UK market.

All of this means that local markets are becoming more popular again, and as a result, are attracting more and more traders selling a bigger range of products; often cheaper than you can get them anywhere else. There are thousands of weekly indoor and outdoor markets in the UK, where you can buy almost anything. And you can get things at a good price, close to home, and from market traders who are all experts on their own products.

Types of Market

Indoor markets tend to sell more everyday items such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, clothes, etc, and the stalls are stationary so the traders there are usually the same every day.

Outdoor markets are more likely to change. This is because the traders set up their stalls at the start of each day and pack up in the evening, so different stalls are often there on different days, selling different products. You will need to check your local market’s agenda, but usually there are different days for flea markets, clothes markets, antiques and ‘bric-a-brac’, farmers’ markets, and general markets.

For services relating to this topic, see our  "Find a..." section. 

Community Market

As well as being places you can buy everything from today’s dinner to the new shoes you’ve been craving, the market is a fun place to be, at the heart of any community. You’ll find that once you’ve been there a few times, you will have a favourite stall to buy your meat, another to buy fruit, and another for your bread. And so the stall-owners will get to know you, ask you how you are and, knowing the British, talk to you about the weather – which is far more than you will ever get in any supermarket!

You can find out about different markets and when they occur by visiting the “Find a…” section.


By Matt Taylor

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USEFUL WORDS

market town = small community with a central market
market square = open area given over to market stalls

street market = a market held in a street
farmers’ market = providing locally grown produce
stalls = a covered cart or table to sell goods from

stall holders = providers of local goods
stock = items for sale in a shop or market


Packaging

a packet of crisps
a jar of homemade jam
a mug of tea/coffee/soup
a case of wine
a bag of apples
a sack of potatoes
a tube of toothpaste
a glass of water/milk/juice
a carton of juice
a crate of beer
a jug of sangria/water
a tub of cream
a bottle of water/wine
a box of matches/eggs/vegetables
a barrel of beer
a basket of eggs
a tin of soup/beans
a can of soup/fruit

GRAMMAR SPOT

Adverbials of Time: this morning, today…

Use this morning with the Present Perfect to talk about the present time:

The market has been busy this morning (the morning is not yet over)

When the morning is over, we use the Past Simple:

The market was busy this morning (it is now afternoon or evening)

With today there is little difference in meaning:

It has been busy today

It was busy today

Both sentences are spoken late in the day.

Use the Present Perfect with this week/month/year to talk about the period from the beginning of something until now:

I’ve visited 2 new markets this month

The Past Simple is also possible if the period is almost over:

I spent a lot of money at the farmers’ market this week

Use the negative with phrases referring to an unfinished time:

It hasn’t been a very good day today
I haven’t sold much stock this month