NABMA was pleased over the weekend to visit Copenhagen and celebrate the international launch of Love Your Local Market with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
The ceremony took place at the vibrant Torvehallerne Market in the centre of Copenhagen and was led by Jean Paul Auguste, WUWM Retail Director – Love Your Local Market, and Giannis Triantafyllis, Vice Chairman of WUWM.
The ceremony was screened worldwide, with all partners highlighting the importance of the LYLM campaign in promoting markets and their many values locally, nationally, and internationally.
Recognition was given that LYLM is a NABMA and UK initiative. Delegates were reminded of 2012, when Mary Portas was invited by the then UK Prime Minister to present a report on the High Street, which sought to make ambitious recommendations on what could be done – by government, local authorities, and business – to help high streets reinvent themselves. Due to NABMA’s contributions at that time, the value of markets was recognised, and ‘Love Your Local Market’ was created in the UK.
Since then, LYLM has been celebrated in more than 25 countries around the world, each year highlighting the huge contribution markets make to the vibrancy and distinctiveness of towns and cities – creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and serving their local communities.
On behalf of the UK, NABMA advised colleagues that, in the UK, the theme for 2025 is:
“Made by Markets – where community, creativity and commerce come together.”
This year’s campaign is all about celebrating what markets make possible – from new businesses and fresh food to culture, connection, and opportunity.
As the years go by, LYLM has become arguably the most important event in the worldwide markets calendar. NABMA representatives, past and present, can be proud of their leadership and support for LYLM and the successes it continues to achieve. Over the weekend, the continuing and growing support for this UK initiative was heartening, and NABMA remains at the forefront of the campaign through its member involvement, innovation, and promotion.
