Often hailed by its fans as "one of the best things about Shrewsbury', the town's market hall has become a huge success story with national accolades to its name and regular mentions in the UK national press.

It has just been voted 'Britain's Favourite Market' for the second time in five years and has picked up regional awards for Best Midlands Market.

Shrewsbury Market Hall has achieved all of this without huge investment, without a big market redevelopment and despite huge obstacles, such as a lack of on-street visibility and an upstairs location inside a 1960's brutalist building that some locals have dubbed 'a spaceship'.

"And yet, when people who have never visited before reach the top of those stairs it's a 'Wow'! Customers often describe the market hall as 'one of the best things' and even 'the best thing' about Shrewsbury," said Market Facilities Manager Kate Gittins.

"Customers come from far-and-wide. They tell us they travel from places like Manchester, Liverpool, Lichfield, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Wrexham, Chester, Stoke, South Wales and elsewhere to visit the market. They say there's 'nothing like it where they live.' They love the fact that many of our stalls are unique, bespoke and artisan."

You can find everything from cool street food cafes, artisan bars, designer-makers and contemporary gift, clothing and homeware boutiques through to artists, vintage sellers, pre-loved books and records and a vast range of locally-sourced fresh produce and family butchers stretching back three generations..fact fileThe market also holds regular, family-friendly Saturday Late Nights.www.shrewsburymarkethall.co.uk