STALL traders at Barrow Market have been presented with three prestigious awards at both national and local level.

Marketing organisation thebestof Barrow and Furness alongside Barrow’s mayor Bill McEwan presented the market with three different awards, which they have secured for the second year in a row.

At a special event held in the market, representatives Jacqui Armstrong and Paul Smith of the market were presented with the awards which are now pride of place at the Portland Walk entrance.

At a local level they won the Barrow and Furness Business of the Year 2019 Awards. At a national level Barrow Market Hall won the award in their category, beating off competition from businesses across the country as well as winning a place in the Top 100 Businesses in the UK.

During the campaign, local people were encouraged to show their support for their favourite business by submitting a review of the service they had received by the business.

Jacqui, the admin assistant at Barrow Market, said: “When we joined thebestof Barrow and Furness it was our aim to become the best business in Barrow and we have done so for the second year in a row.

“We had an amazing amount of support from all the community, from loyal customers and friends. We even had one review from someone who hadn’t been to the market in years. She mentioned how much more variety there is now and how much the atmosphere has changed.

“We and all the stall traders here really pride ourselves on customer care and it is so great that the traders are being recognised for all their hard work.”

Suzanne Edgley, owner of thebestof Barrow and Furness, said: “This is a great place to shop and there is always a strong sense of community.

“Each stall is so individual and unique and in many ways each trader is an expert in their field.”

Barrow’s mayor Bill McEwan said: “It just shows you how much support the market gets from all the community.

“There is always a warm and welcoming atmosphere here and with weather like this what better place is there to shop. This is the place to be and I really hope the market continues to grow and to do well.”