New Covent Garden Market has unveiled The Garden Wall, a commemorative installation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the market's relocation to Nine Elms. The installation is part of a broader effort to reflect on the history and community of the UK's largest wholesale fruit, vegetable, and flower market.
Located just inside the entrance of the redeveloped Buyers' Walk, the wall features a collection of personalised plaques purchased by individuals and businesses with longstanding ties to the market. The initiative recognises the contributions of workers and companies that have been part of the market's evolution since its move from the original Covent Garden site in 1974.
The unveiling took place on Friday, 6 June, with two ceremonies held at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. The early morning event was attended by traders and staff finishing their overnight shifts. Local MP Marsha de Cordova, along with Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) Chair Wanda Goldwag OBE, Covent Garden Tenants' Association (CGTA) Chair Gary Marshall, and CGMA General Manager Jo Breare, spoke at the event.
Gary Marshall described The Garden Wall as both a tribute and a reflection of the relationships that have shaped the market's recent history. He noted that the installation also serves as a fundraising effort, having raised nearly £10,000 for charities supported by CGTA, including Anthony Nolan, Trinity Hospice, and Parkinson's UK. "This wall is part celebration, part commemoration," Marshall said. "It honours commitment, dedication, and long-standing connections to the market."
Wanda Goldwag emphasised the unique character of the market community, which includes multi-generational family businesses and a network of more than 150 traders. She said the market's future success depends on maintaining its relevance in the supply chains of London and the South East. "Initiatives like this are important within the fabric of what a wholesale market represents," she added.
MP Marsha de Cordova acknowledged the market's economic role and historical significance within Battersea. "New Covent Garden Market continues to support the local economy and provide jobs. It remains central to the character of this area," she said.
New Covent Garden Market currently hosts 175 wholesale traders on its 37-acre (15 hectares) site, most of whom operate through the night to supply London and the surrounding regions. For many, the market is a family tradition, with connections dating back to the original Covent Garden.
The Garden Wall remains open for future plaque purchases and is intended as an ongoing opportunity to recognise contributions to the market. Proceeds from plaque sales contribute to charitable causes associated with the market's anniversary.
For more information:
New Covent Garden Market
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7720 2211
Email: [email protected]
www.newcoventgardenmarket.com