Shrewsbury Market out of the running for Britain's favourite after change to voting rules

Earlier this year, Shrewsbury Market Hall was named 'Britain's Favourite' for a record fourth time and the third year in a row.

The 'Britain’s Favourite Market' award is considered the most coveted of the 13 awards at the Great British Market Awards, organised each year by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NAMBA).

The category involves a nationwide public vote as well as scrutiny by a panel of industry experts.

But for 2026, Shrewsbury will have to take a backseat in the category, after NAMBA announced a change to the rules, enforcing a one-year break for previous victors.

A spokesperson for the association said: "NABMA has introduced a small but important change to the Great British Market Awards to ensure the competition continues to celebrate the widest possible range of market achievements across the UK.

"From 2026, previous overall winners will take a one-year break from entering the same category. This change brings the awards in line with other national recognition schemes — for example, Britain in Bloom and the Great British High Street Awards — where overall winners step back for a year to encourage fresh participation and ensure a broader spread of recognition across the country."

The association said the rule change was "designed to encourage opportunity, diversity, and new success stories" and give other markets the chance to take centre stage.

They added: "We’re immensely proud of past winners such as Shrewsbury Market Hall, whose success has been highlighted to government and high street partners as an example of what thriving markets can deliver for their communities. 

"Shrewsbury remains a fantastic ambassador for the markets industry, and we hope to see them — and many others — entering other award categories this year."

More than a dozen of Shropshire's other markets are still up for the crown, however, and voting remains open until midnight on December 12. 

Those still in the running include last year's finalists Market Drayton Indoor and Outdoor Market, along with markets in Wellington, Newport, Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Wem, Dawley, Madeley, Leominster, Oakengates and Welshpool. 

Votes can be cast on the NABMA website once a day until voting closes. A shortlist of the top markets will be created based on public votes, and the nominations will then be considered by a Great British Market Awards judging panel.