The Market unveiled The Garden Wall on Friday June 6^th – a commemorative installation that marks our 50 years in Nine Elms and celebrates the people and community that have shaped New Covent Garden’s story.

Located just inside the main entrance to the newly redeveloped Buyers’ Walk, The Garden Wall features personalised plaques purchased by traders, suppliers, friends and supporters - each plate a nod to lasting bonds with NCGM formed over half a century.

At 6am, traders finishing their night shifts gathered for the first unveiling, featuring speeches Gary Marshall, Chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants’ Association (CGTA) and Jo Breare, General Manager of Covent Garden Market Authority. At a second unveiling at 11am, a wider audience from the Market and many from outside who had purchased commemorative plaques saw Wanda Goldwag OBE, Chair of CGMA, and Marsha De Cordova, MP for Battersea, join Gary for another occasion filled with smiles, laughter and a few tears.

Gary Marshall said: "The Garden Wall is a big part of the efforts to mark the 50^th anniversary of the market’s move to Nine Elms. While we mark the fact that we’ve been in Nine Elms for 50 years, we of course have looked back on the heritage and history of this market. We’ve celebrated the people who have been so important here, who have done so much to shape this market’s recent history. I know that you, like me, are immensely proud of what this market represents and of the community we are all part of. For many of us here today, the people who have done so much to make New Covent Garden Market what it is were not just colleagues, but members of our own family, extended family or close friends.

"This wall is part celebration, part commemoration. It has been created to give people and companies a permanent place to honour commitment, dedication, passion and love for Covent Garden fruit, veg and flower markets. Thank you to everyone who has bought a plaque for the wall – you have between you not just created a legacy for the names on that plaque, but donated £10,000 to the 50^th anniversary fund of more than £100,000 that the CGTA has now raised for our select charities – Anthony Nolan, Trinity Hospice and Parkinson’s UK. As you can see, there is plenty of room left for those of you who did not buy plaques to do so now. It’s an extremely easy thing to do and whether you want to remember someone you’ve sadly lost or highlight your ongoing relationship with New Covent Garden, The Garden Wall is a wonderful tribute to them and this great market."

Wanda Goldwag OBE added: "I’ve been in position as Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority for around 14 months and one of the things that became apparent almost immediately when I first started in the role was how important the unique community of people within the market is to its success. It’s a community that has evolved organically through the centuries and as such, there are so many storied names and characters etched into its history, including many, many family names that have stood the test of time – often those names have been attached to companies here and several businesses can trace their family legacy here back through six, seven and eight generations.

"I’ve said before that the past is not where I focus – my job is to ensure that New Covent Garden Market continues to be the UK’s number one wholesale market brand for many decades to come, so it’s the future that really interests me. There are also many names up there who will be responsible for the next phase. We have more than 150 traders operating here, most of whom compete with each other and many of whom trade with each other – but it is as a collective that New Covent Garden Market thrives. There is no other wholesale market in the country that sells the quality or breadth of product, or that services such a diverse range of high-end catering, hospitality and independent retail customers. I want to continue – we’re working to maintain the relevance and value of this market to the supply chains of London and the South East. This wall is testament to many of the figures and firms who have got this market this far. Initiatives like this are important within the fabric of what a wholesale market represents."  

And Marsha de Cordova MP added her own heartfelt words: "It's wonderful to be at New Covent Garden Market to unveil the Garden Wall, commemorating the Market's 50th anniversary of moving to Nine Elms in the heart of my Battersea constituency. The Market's history as an iconic institution stretches back generations but with a bright future ahead as it continues to drive up our economy, provide much-needed jobs and is at the heart of our city's character. New Covent Garden Market is a perfect example of how to be a good neighbour to everyone in our community. The fact it continues to flourish is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the whole team."

A constantly evolving legacy

The ceremonies were attended by plaque holders, their families, friends, and colleagues who shared memories of their connections to the market. The atmosphere was warm and celebratory, with the wall receiving widespread praise for both its design and sentiment.

The Garden Wall has already raised nearly £10,000—added to over £100,000 donated by the CGTA for the charities Anthony Nolan, Trinity Hospice, and Parkinson’s UK. And there is still space for more than 150 more plaques, enabling further tributes to beloved colleagues, partners, and friends, and another large donation to these worthy causes.

We’ve already sold a few since Friday, but to secure your place in the second round of sales, please go to https://www.funditnow.co.uk/thegardenwall/book/select-products - it’s an extremely easy process.

FPC comment

The Fresh Produce Consortium published a story about the unveilings on its Freshtalk Daily feed and made a very generous comment, which we thought you’d like to read: “The unveiling of The Garden Wall is much more than a visual spectacle - it’s a heartfelt celebration of the roots, relationships, and resilience that have made New Covent Garden Market central to London’s fresh produce story. As it continues to evolve, this poignant tribute ensures that the legacy - and the love - live on.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.