Leek has been declared the home of Great Britain’s best small indoor market, just over a year since a multi-million-pound refurbishment programme completed.
The town’s Butter and Trestle Markets have been voted Best Small Indoor Market in the Great British Market Awards 2026.
The awards celebrate excellence, innovation and commitment across the UK markets sector and are organised by NABMA, the National Association of British Market Authorities.
Judges praised the transformation of the “historic market into a dynamic incubator for local enterprise, cultural activity and town centre footfall. Strong communication and collaboration between traders, officers and regeneration teams were central to its success.”
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council contributed £3.4 million of the funding to develop the markets., which reopened in December 2024.
They attracted a footfall of around 385,000 people during the first year of operation, with almost 80 per cent of customers rating their experience and time at the market as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: “We couldn’t be happier achieving such a vote of confidence and a national award so soon after re-opening this much-loved Victorian building and giving it a new lease of life.
“We are especially pleased to have created a winning mix of independent shops that complement one another, food outlets we know people come from afar to sample, supported by a cultural and artistic programme that enhances our strong retail and food offer.
“The refurbishment has allowed us to use the markets for a whole range of community events including films, music, the recent ‘Day of the Dead’ spectacle and to mark Pride in the district.”
The market is home foodie brands including Scrumbles and The Gourmet Sausage Company as well as independent businesses such as Pansy Potter and The Curiosity Shop.
