Shoppers at Nottingham’s local markets are being asked to show their loyalty and support for their market and market traders by voting them the best in the country.

Voting opened this week to find the UK’s Market of the Year in a competition being run by the National Association of British Market Authorities. Nottingham’s Victoria Market has already been named the Midlands Greenest Market. For the first time in the latest competition there is on-line voting for “Britain’s Favourite Market.” Voting on-line is free by visiting www.nabma.com. Voting opened this week and continues until January 20.

As the country faces its toughest economic pressures for many years, the value and relevance of the City’s Victoria Market in the city centre and the six local markets at have never been more important.

Nottingham City Council’s Victoria Market operates six days a week in the Victoria Centre and there are regular markets at Bilborough, Bulwell, Clifton, Hyson Green, Sneinton and St Anns.

Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Katrina Bull, acknowledged the importance of markets in Nottingham.

"Local markets have long been identified as the source of quality, low cost and often locally sourced food. Add a range of other essential trades and the unique atmosphere and colour of markets and it is easy to see why there is resurgence in both interest and loyalty to markets. In addition, every market trader offers a unique one to one shopping experience with bartering an opportunity to secure that deal. In the current economic climate, markets offer even more of a chance for shoppers to make their money stretch that extra bit. It is great news that our shoppers using the city and neighbourhood markets could get their chance to show just how Nottingham’s markets are better than the rest.

"This competition helps publicise just how important markets are nationally and to the local economy and tourism in Nottingham and it would be great if we could support our local market."

Chief Executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities, Graham Wilson admitted that the Market of the Year competition has gone from success to success.

"Entries demonstrate the importance of local markets and the highest standards of service, products and good practice that can be found. This competition is about promoting and celebrating the importance of markets in this country."

This year Market of the Year is being endorsed by TV celebrity and BBC Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers. “I have long been a supporter of markets as they provide fresh produce, an outlet for locally sourced foods and meet government and local agendas. I want everyone; both producer and consumer, to support their local market and record their vote for Britain’s Favourite Market.”

The results of Britain’s Favourite Market will be announced in an awards ceremony at Birmingham Council House on 29 January 2009..