Highlighting potential new business opportunities was the aim when a team from London’s Mayor’s office visited New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) in the early hours of Monday February 9th.

London & Partners (L&P) is the ‘growth agency’ for the capital, supporting the Mayor's priorities to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive by promoting London internationally and domestically in the UK.

Speaking with D.D.P's Paul Grimshaw

The 10-strong team visited the Food Exchange, the Fruit and Vegetable Market, the Flower Market, and the Market’s recycling centre, speaking with wholesalers including All Greens’ Jason Glass and D.D.P.’s Paul Grimshaw. Highlighting the challenges of trading while the rest of the city sleeps, discussions were focused on how L&P could possibly support Market businesses in the future.

Speaking with All Greens' Jason Glass in the new Buyers' Walk

As the group toured the newly crowned ‘Wholesale Market of the Year’ (more here), L&P’s Senior Inward Investment Manager Razia Mestry was struck by the scale of the Market and immediately saw opportunity for closer collaboration between L&P and firms based at NCGM. She said: “There are lots of potential links with our ‘Grow London’ programme and opportunities to refer food based and international businesses to the Market, including those seeking flexible office space in the Food Exchange building or production space in Mission Kitchen.”

Discussions focused on how targeted support, particularly productivity, digital adoption and business planning, could help traders grow and remain competitive while maintaining a focus on quality, cost and profitability.

Covent Garden Market Authority’s Giles Roddy described the visit as a positive first step. “The L&P team was very impressed with the new Buyers’ Walk and by the diversity of the many businesses based here,” he said, adding: “We plan to continue conversations around collaboration and how we can continue to showcase NCGM as a key part of London’s food and business ecosystem.”