Members of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce got an early-morning glimpse behind the scenes at New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) on Thursday 24 September, experiencing a side of London that many people never get to see.

Chamber Chief Executive Officer Beverley Corson and Chamber members were greeted by Covent Garden Market Authority’s General Manager Robert McAuliffe and Communication Director Giles Roddy, as they toured the Fruit and Vegetable Market and the Flower Market to meet traders. They also saw first-hand the Market’s redevelopment project, as work on the final new buildings takes shape.

One of the two-hour tour’s highlights was a visit to the Fruit and Vegetable Market’s Buyers’ Walk, the 205-metre-long trading aisle where wholesalers display fresh produce from across the UK and around the world. Chamber members were wowed by both the scale and pace of the operation that keeps businesses across London supplied with fresh produce.

“It was very exciting to be in the Market and see such beautiful produce,” said Beverley. “The quality of the products that we saw in both Markets was unique, giving us all a rare opportunity to see the extraordinary supply chain operating behind the restaurants, hotels, cafés, florists and businesses we encounter every day.”

Gary Marshall, Chair of the Covent Garden Tenants’ Association (CGTA) and owner of wholesale fresh produce supplier Bevington Salads, met Chamber members to highlight the Market’s vital role within the fresh produce chain. Supplying top-flight greengrocers, catering suppliers and distributors across London and the South East, Gary brought to life how NCGM is an essential conduit in getting fresh produce from growers to customers.

The group included Tom Pearson from local charity Trinity Hospice, who thanked the Market community for their amazing fundraising efforts – more than £300,000 has been donated over several years. “I would say that's been my proudest feat in my 20-odd years as CGTA Chairman,” said Gary. “The Market community has shown amazing levels of generosity for Trinity Hospice, year after year.”

The Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce is an independent membership organisation separate from Wandsworth Council, with a broad membership of local businesses drawn from across the London Borough of Wandsworth. Find out more here.