Swansea Market ranks among the top 15 most popular food markets outside London

The UK’s favourite food market has been revealed

A new study by Capital on Tap has revealed which UK food markets are the most popular in the UK, using social media and Google search data. 

• The most popular market is Borough Market, with the most monthly Google searches, at 301,000
• Borough Market is also the most Instagrammable food market, with 555,509 Instagram posts
• Harewood House, St George’s Market and Mackie Mayor ranked as the top  three most popular markets outside of London
• Kamilla Fernandes-Pickett at Capital on Tap advises on how to make the most of a food market stall

Food markets provide affordable, authentic culinary experiences for customers, while also opening up exciting opportunities for aspiring chefs in the food industry. But, with so many options available, which market is the new hotspot for new businesses to set up shop? 

To find out, Capital on Tap investigated the UK food markets with the highest Google search volumes, as well as the highest number of posts on Instagram and TikTok. They also provided expert advice on how budding chefs can use food markets to their advantage, and how to stand out from the crowd with a new food stall or truck. 

The full research can be viewed here: https://www.capitalontap.com/en/blog/posts/most-popular-food-markets/ 

The most popular UK market is Borough Market, with the most monthly Google searches, at 301,000

The most popular market is Borough Market, situated in the heart of London. Borough Market has the highest number of monthly google searches (301,000). 

In second place is Broadway Market in Hackney, receiving an average monthly search volume of 33,100. Though less searched-for than Borough Market, it comes in second place for the most Instagram posts of all markets analysed (138,238). 

Third is Seven Dials Market in London, with 60,500 monthly searches. In fourth is Harewood House in Leeds (40,500), the first market in the top 10 outside of London. Rounding off the top five is Boxpark Shoreditch (27,100).

Rank	Market	Location	Avg. monthly search vol	No. of Instagram posts	No. of TikTok posts
1	Borough Market	London	301,000	555,509	11,800
2	Broadway Market	London	33,100	138,238	1,290
3	Seven Dials Market	London	60,500	10,554	1,295
4	Harewood House	Leeds	40,500	45,391	482
5	Boxpark Shoreditch	London	27,100	18,411	1,156
6	Brixton Village Market	London	2,400	57,099	708
7	St George’s Market	Belfast	22,200	32,166	336
8	Mackie Mayor	Manchester	33,100	13,243	120
9	Maltby Street Market	London	22,200	27,244	159
10	Baltic Market	Liverpool	18,100	19,910	427

The most popular food market outside of London is Harewood House Market in Leeds, with 40,500 monthly searches

With 40,500 monthly searches, Harewood House is searched even more than Broadway Market, the second most popular market in the overall ranking. It has the most Instagram posts (45,391), the highest of all markets not in London, and the highest number of TikToks (482). 

Belfast’s St George’s Market comes in second place. This street food hub in Northern Ireland’s capital ranks third for monthly searches in this analysis (22,200), and the second highest number of Instagram posts (32,166). 

Mackie Mayor in Manchester ranks in third place, with 33,100 searches per month, coming just behind Harewood House. Plus, it has 13,243 Instagram posts and 120 posts on TikTok.

Rank	Market	Location	Avg. monthly search vol	No. of Instagram posts	No. of TikTok posts
1	Harewood House	Leeds	40,500	45,391	482
2	St George’s Market	Belfast	22,200	32,166	336
3	Mackie Mayor	Manchester	33,100	13,243	120
4	Baltic Market	Liverpool	18,100	19,910	427
5	Digbeth Dining Club	Birmingham	8,100	23,284	172
6	Kirkgate Market	Leeds	14,800	7,997	129
7	The Dockyard Social	Glasgow	9,900	3,867	238
8	St Nicholas Market	Bristol	12,100	8,506	45
9	Stockbridge Market	Edinburgh	8,100	9,936	78
10	The Forge Market	Glasgow	5,400	841	326

Kamilla Fernandes-Pickett, Marketing and Communications Senior Manager from Capital on Tap shares how traders can use food markets to their advantage 

“Food markets can be invaluable for a new food business, offering exposure, customer interaction, and networking opportunities.

While starting a food truck requires a lot of time and money, it’s often more affordable and even less risky than opening up a restaurant. Another significant benefit is that popular markets already have plenty of customers, and this footfall will be a huge benefit to your business. 

In terms of setting up, assessing your location is also essential. Consider practicalities like parking, overhead costs and initial investments. When you’ve set up, make sure to talk to other people who are in the business. Get chatting, see what other people are doing, and watch out for any opportunities that come your way. The more you talk and the more people you meet, the better!”