The History of Moseley Farmers’ Market
It wasn’t until 1999 when Moseley Forum supported and championed the idea and won over the council, shopkeepers, and others helping them see the benefit, allowing the first market to be held in August 2000.
When it was trialled back in August 2000, it was done to see if a Farmers’ Market could actually flourish in a suburb of such a large city – and to see if it could help bring people back into Moseley – and it has!
“Moseley Market is emblematic of the farmers’ market success story” – Shaun Hill
Here’s a potted history of how we got to where we are today:
Linda and David Isgrove celebrating Moseley Farmers’ Market’s success at winning Best Farmers’ Market in the Midlands by Country Life in 2006. Photo courtesy of Birmingham News, 23 November 2006.
We hae since gone to to win the outstanding award of being the best Farmers’ Market in the UK a record four times – 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2023!
- August - The first Moseley Farmers’ Market
On August 26th 2000 the first Moseley Farmers’ Market was launched at the Moseley Festival so as to make the biggest impact. It worked. After a 5 month trial we’d grown from 12 to 20 stalls and people were liking it.
- February 2002 – Market closed
Foot-and-Mouth affected even Moseley... but we re-started at the Festival.
- Best Farmers' Market in the Midlands
In 2004 we had 36 stalls and won the Birmingham Post Competition for the best Farmers’ market in the Midlands out of 46 markets. We also became an accredited Farmers’ Market guaranteeing quality. For the first time we also made a profit. Up till then, the market had only continued by the Forum ploughing money into it each month.
- Country Life Magazine’s Midland’s favourite Farmers’ Market
In 2006 we won the Country Life Magazine’s Midland’s favourite Farmers’ Market. We now had 40 stalls a month.
- England's favourite Farmers’ Market
In 2007 we were 2nd in the UK’s favourite Farmers’ Market. This was behind Edinburgh, so technically we were England’s favourite!!
- We became a Community Interest Company
In 2008 the Forum decided to put us on a sounder footing – we became a Community Interest Company – safeguarding us for the community in future years and enabling us to plough the profit back into the community.
- Best Farmers’ Market in the UK
In 2009 We won the top award (by FARMA) for the best Farmers’ Market in the UK. A fantastic achievement! Now we were at 50 stalls.
- We Won Best Farmers' Market in the UK for the Second Time!
In 2012 we won this prestigious award for being the best Farmers’ Market in the UK again. We were the first market to ever win this twice. Several traders who started in Moseley have gone on to create very successful businesses – The Olde Smokehouse (smoked organic salmon) won a Royal Warrant, Thank Goodness Nut Roasts now supply Waitrose.