Oxford Covered Market traders celebrating working in city

The annual Love Your Local Market campaign runs until Saturday, May 30, and traders are now celebrating everything that makes local markets special.

A spokeswoman for the market said: “When it comes to The Covered Market it’s all about artisan independent traders specialising in their passions.

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“It’s about carefully selected fresh food and produce, unique gifts and fashion, friendly faces, personable new experiences and centuries of market history, all of course under one beautiful roof in the heart of Oxford.

“Throughout LYLM26 we’re asking our traders what they love about being part of The Covered Market, and sharing our findings on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know our traders even better.”

Staff at Il Corno at the Covered Market (Image: Ed Nix/Verity Hoper)

Fanny Clemente owner of Il Corno, a Naples-inspired restaurant and cafe, said: “People, people, people. You step into the market and it’s filled with human energy.

“It’s electrifying. It fuels us and warms us up. And it grounds us. It’s the reason why we love what we do here.”

Sarah Jordan, owner of Y.O.U Underwear (Image: Ed Nix/Verity Hoper)

Sarah Jordan, owner of Y.O.U Underwear, said: “I love being able to say hello to people I know when I come in each morning, get a drink from someone I know or a present from a friend’s shop, and wave at friendly faces all day long!”

Liz, manager at Jemini Flowers, added: “I love local markets because there’s nothing like individual local businesses for special gifts, unique atmospheres and local knowledge.”

Jemini Flowers at the Covered Market (Image: Ed Nix/Verity Hoper)

The city council, the market owner and landlord, is planning £8m worth of improvements, which are ongoing. Construction work is expected to start in 2027.

Molly at Wicked Chocolate in the Covered Market (Image: Ed Nix/Verity Hoper)

Traders at the market celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2024. It was officially opened on November 1, 1774.

Conceived under the 1771 Oxford Mileways Act, it was created by architect John Gwynne to clear messy, unsanitary street stalls from the city centre while consolidating trade into one central emporium.

There is also a market four days a week at Gloucester Green, running from Wednesday to Saturday. There are stall selling food, clothes, and antiques.