Martin Whitfield MSP and Douglas Alexander MP have backed this year’s Love Your Local Market campaign with a visit to Haddington Farmers’ Market.

The Love Your Local Market (LYLM) campaign is a nationwide celebration of community, creativity, and commerce, proudly run by NABMA – The National Association of British Market Authorities.

The 2025 campaign takes place from Friday 16th May to Saturday 31st May, with hundreds of markets across the country uniting to showcase the energy, creativity, and entrepreneurship that thrive at the heart of our high streets.

This year’s campaign message – “Made by Markets” – reflects everything that local markets nurture: new businesses, fresh food, community spirit, local culture, sustainable choices, and inclusive spaces. It is about recognising that what we love most about our towns and cities is often built right here, at the market.

Ahead of this year’s campaign, Mr Alexander and Mr Whitfield visited Haddington Farmer’s Market for its 25th anniversary and to highlight their support for it and the Love Your Local Market campaign.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Haddington Farmers’ Market is a brilliant example of why local markets are so important and should be supported and celebrated by local communities.

“I was pleased to help acknowledge the market’s 25th anniversary with a motion at the Scottish Parliament and will continue to support and promote its vital role here.” 

Douglas Alexander MP said:

“I’m pleased to add my support to this year’s Love Your Local Market campaign by visiting the excellent Haddington Farmers’ Market.

“It has been providing opportunities for consumers to buy high-quality fresh local produce for 25 years and exemplifies all the positives about local markets.”

NABMA’s Chief Executive, David Preston, said:

“Love Your Local Market is more than a campaign — it’s a movement that brings together markets, customers and communities. This year’s theme, ‘Made by Markets’, captures the essential role markets play in building businesses, culture and belonging. It’s an invitation to shop local, support local, and celebrate everything that markets make possible.”

Since its launch, LYLM has supported more than 16,500 new traders and helped create over 1,500 new businesses. Whether it’s a first-time stallholder or a long-standing family-run business, markets have always been places where people come together to buy local and dream big.

For more information about NABMA and the LYLM campaign, visit www.nabma.com and www.loveyourlocalmarket.nabma.com.