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  • Students from 12 London primary schools sold school-grown fruit and veg at iconic market
  • All proceeds will be donated to redistribution charity Plan Zheroes, tackling food poverty 

The Young Marketeers Summer Market Day returned to Borough Market on Thursday 3 July 2025, with 60 pupils from 12 London primary schools setting out their stalls in one of the capital’s most iconic food markets. The children sold a selection of fruit and vegetables they had grown from seed in their school gardens, raising a total of £730.08 for Borough Market’s food waste charity partner, Plan Zheroes.

The Young Marketeers programme, now in its 14th year, is a partnership between charity School Food Matters and Borough Market, itself a charitable trust. Through the programme, pupils not only learn how to grow fresh seasonal food, but they also gain first-hand experience of running a business and receive expert training from Borough Market’s traders on how to be confident and engage customers. The children joined traders such as Hickson & Daughter, Raya and Northfield Farm in March to learn what it takes to be a brilliant market operator.

This summer’s budding market traders offered up an impressive homegrown harvest, including beetroot, French beans, lettuce, salad leaves, peas, carrots and Chinese radishes, all nurtured by the children in their school gardens.

learned how to care for their crops with former Blue Peter gardener and horticultural expert Chris Collins. Each school also received a visit from a School Food Matters gardener to check on progress and give growing advice.

This year’s Summer Market Day continued to support the food redistribution charity Plan Zheroes. Since 2014, Plan Zheroes has been collecting surplus food from Borough Market’s traders and delivering it to charities and community groups across London. In that time the partnership has repurposed over 151,000kg of food and provided 360,594 meals for Londoners, with their volunteers visiting the Market six days a week.

The brief

Leadenhall Market is one of London’s most iconic Victorian marketplaces, but like many destinations in the Square Mile, it faced a familiar challenge: attracting visitors beyond the traditional working week.

The City of London appointed Barley Communications to develop a long-term communications and marketing strategy that would reposition Leadenhall as a vibrant cultural destination while respecting its rich heritage. A key objective was to increase weekend footfall, encourage longer dwell times, support tenant businesses and attract new audiences without losing the character that makes the Market unique.   

Insights and approach

Our insight was simple: people already loved Leadenhall’s architecture and history, but they needed a compelling reason to stay.

We developed the creative platform “Bringing the markets back to Leadenhall”, reviving traditional weekend market trading for the first time in more than 40 years. Rather than creating one-off events, we built a programme of curated vintage, craft and artisan markets that celebrated the Market’s heritage while giving contemporary audiences a new reason to visit.

Barley managed the campaign end to end, from sourcing specialist market operators and designing the visitor experience to media relations, influencer engagement, paid and organic social media, event delivery and stakeholder management.

We worked closely with the City of London, market tenants and cultural partners to ensure the markets complemented existing businesses, increased footfall across the site and supported wider ambitions to make the Square Mile a destination seven days a week. Strategic media relations, influencer breakfasts and highly visual social content helped position Leadenhall as one of London’s must-visit heritage destinations while generating sustained interest throughout the programme. 

The results

The return of the Weekend Markets transformed perceptions of Leadenhall Market from a weekday retail destination into a thriving cultural and leisure destination with year-round appeal.

The campaign generated coverage across BBC Radio London, Secret London and Londonist, while partnerships with Destination City, Eastern City BID and other City organisations amplified the campaign to new audiences. Visitors were encouraged not simply to pass through the Market but to spend time exploring its independent retailers, food and drink businesses and curated market stalls.

The success of the programme led to the Weekend Markets returning for an extended season in 2025, demonstrating their long-term value to both the City of London and Leadenhall’s tenants. Alongside stronger visitor engagement, the campaign helped attract new businesses to the Market and reinforced Leadenhall’s position as one of London’s leading heritage destinations.  

  • 13

    Weekend Market days delivered during 2024

  • 17

    Weekend Markets scheduled for the extended 2025 programme

  • 109%

    year-on-year increase in weekend visitors

  • 53%

    increase in overall annual visitors, reaching 1.44 million

  • 181%

    growth in social media followers since 2021

  • 150%

    increase in tenant turnover during key market events

  • 8

    new tenants welcomed during 2024

  • 684m

    opportunities to see (OTS) generated through media coverage

“

It is an absolute pleasure to work with Barley on Leadenhall Market. Whether PR, events or social media, the team at Barley provide incredible creativity, expertise, and insight, resulting in improved asset and business performance for both the City of London and its tenants. Barley continues to be a critical part of the daily function and success of Leadenhall.

Ollie Goode

Asset Manager, City of London Corporation

Live music, vintage games and 100 free luxury hampers available

The 80th anniversary of VE Day will be marked with a vibrant street party hosted at Leadenhall Market on 8 May. Taking place from 3 to 6pm, this free event invites Londoners to enjoy a festive afternoon featuring complimentary afternoon tea hampers, live musical performances, vintage games and a nostalgic street party atmosphere in the heart of the City.

On 8 May, the nation will celebrate 80 years since World War II ended in Europe. In 1945 the people of Britain came together in joyous street parties to celebrate peace. Eastern City Business Improvement District will be recapturing this community spirit by bringing long communal tables, Union Jacks and classic street decorations to Leadenhall Market’s cobbled streets, protected from the elements by the beautiful glass roofed Victorian structure.

Visitors to the VE Day Street Party will experience the spirit of the 1940s with a specially curated programme of entertainment. The Swingettes, a dazzling vocal trio, will bring the era’s most iconic tunes to life in three sets throughout afternoon. While classic wartime music from Vera Lynn and other greats will set the mood. Guests can also try their hand at traditional board games from the period, including Snakes and Ladders, Backgammon, and Cluedo.

As part of the celebration, 100 luxurious afternoon tea hampers will be given away. Each carefully curated hamper will feature traditional delights such as delectable cakes and fresh, locally sourced strawberries. The hampers will showcase treats from Leadenhall Market’s renowned traders, including floral arrangements by Windsor Flowers and exquisite pastries from the Market’s patisserie, Aux Merveilleux de Fred.

To secure a luxury hamper ahead of time guests should follow @easterncityldn on Instagram, reshare the VE Day Street Party post, and submit their details via email as instructed. Those who successfully secure their hamper will be notified in advance and can collect their hampers on the day by showing their confirmation email. Another 50 hampers will be available to pick up on the day on a first-come-first-served basis. 

As well as soaking up the vintage vibes at the VE Day Street Party, visitors can explore the incredible mix of independent shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs at Leadenhall Market, stopping for an excellent glass of wine from Bedales or Cheese, or a pint from Golden Goose or The Lamb Tavern.

Ollie Goode, Asset Manager at Leadenhall Market said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this event offers Londoners a chance to come together in a truly historic setting to honour an important moment in our nation’s past. Leadenhall Market is proud to host this celebration of resilience and community. The independent businesses that make Leadenhall so special are looking forward to welcoming guests for a day of music, fun and great food in the heart of the City.”

For more information and for information on both events, visit https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/ve-day-street-party/

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation. 

We marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the incredible women who help make Borough Market the vibrant and dynamic place it is. Securing this national feature in The Independent highlights the passion, skill, and dedication of the women behind the stalls, from producers and traders to chefs and artisans. Their stories reflect not only their hard work but also the rich diversity and community spirit that define Borough Market. Take a look at the full piece and join us in celebrating these inspiring women.

Teams to compete for Leadenhall Market’s coveted golden frying pan

Leadenhall Market’s 18th century pub – The Lamb Tavern – has announced its 16th annual pancake race, celebrating Shrove Tuesday in the City of London.

The legendary event will take place on Tuesday 4 March at 12.30pm. The annual tradition sees teams of four don bowler hats and take on a 20m relay of the Victorian cobbled alleyways of Leadenhall Market, to compete for the ultimate prize of the Golden frying pan.

Not only do the winners have their name inscribed on the fabled trophy, they also get treated to a Lamb Tavern Hamper, while those in second place receive a £50 bar tab and third prize picks up a bottle of prosecco. The losing team will be awarded the consolation prize of one of The Lamb Tavern’s scotch eggs, to split between the four of them. And if that’s not enough, all competitors will get a free pancake to fuel their energy.

Spectators can expect to be entertained by market personality Charlie from London City Shoeshine, the event’s resident commentator. And there will be countless pancakes available to enjoy, cooked by The Lamb Tavern’s head chef.

Free to enter, teams of four people can take part and must register beforehand at www.lambtavernleadenhall.com/#book, or by emailing lambtavern@youngs.co.uk.

Leadenhall Market’s boutique retailers, bars, restaurants and cafés will also be open for the event, welcoming participants and spectators alike.

Situated in the centre of the City of London’s financial district, the current Grade II listed Market building, designed by Sir Horace Jones, dates back to 1881. Its wrought iron and glass structure replaced the stone market previously created by Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington in the 15th Century. Now, the market is home to 24 restaurants, cafes and bars, which sit alongside 14 retail outlets, creating a hub for shopping and dining in the City.  

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.    For more information, visit: leadenhallmarket.co.uk

The brief

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers was preparing to launch Europe’s first high-speed hybrid passenger ferries — a major milestone for river transport in London and a significant step in the organisation’s journey to net zero.Our brief was to communicate progress to net zero by positioning Uber Boat by Thames Clippers as leaders in sustainable river travel. We were tasked with maximising media coverage around the arrival of the new vessels, using key moments to support the wider business growth story, and increasing awareness of the River Bus and its environmental credentials among both commuters and leisure passengers.

Insights and approach

We identified that the arrival of the first hybrid vessel would be a powerful news moment — but that relying on a single launch risked limiting the lifespan of the story. Our approach focused on creating momentum over time, using creativity and careful planning to extend media interest across the full fleet launch.

We anchored the campaign around the arrival of Earth Clipper, hosting a launch event onboard and inviting a broad mix of national, London and trade media to experience a battery-powered sail through central London. Journalists were given direct access to the co-founder and CEO, allowing sustainability commitments and future ambitions to be communicated with authority and credibility.To create a second standout moment, we worked closely with partners and the Port of London Authority to secure permissions for an early-morning formation sail of all three hybrid vessels. Drone footage and still photography captured the boats moving through central London against iconic landmarks — distinctive, highly shareable content that strengthened broadcast, print and online pitching and reinforced Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ leadership in sustainable transport.

Results

The campaign secured high-impact coverage at every stage, firmly establishing Uber Boat by Thames Clippers as pioneers in low-emission river travel and clearly communicating progress towards its net zero ambition.

Tier A outlets followed the story closely, including BBC London, which reported live from the boatyard and broadcast from onboard Earth Clipper on launch day. Coverage spanned national, London-wide and hyperlocal media, alongside transport, travel, sustainability and trade titles — reaching commuters, policymakers and leisure audiences alike.Crucially, reporting focused not just on the innovation of the vessels themselves, but on the wider role sustainable river transport can play in reducing emissions across the capital’s transport network. 

  • 661m

    opportunities to see/hear

  • 72

    pieces of coverage

  • 18

    media attendees

  • 8

    pieces of broadcast coverage

  • 8 pieces of national coverage

“

Barley Communications has been a key partner in helping us communicate our sustainability messages at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Their expertise and strategic storytelling have been instrumental in showcasing our commitment to reducing environmental impact, from launching the UK’s first hybrid high-speed passenger ferry to gaining significant coverage following the announcement of the UK’s first electric cross-river ferry, sharing our broader sustainability goals has always been front of mind.

Barley wove the milestone of our 25th anniversary into media pitches, securing top-tier profiling opportunities for our CEO, Sean Collins. These opportunities further elevated our profile as a business and also showcased the long standing history we have as the leading river operator on the Thames. Barley’s knack for creative visual and media storytelling—exemplified by imaginative initiatives like the green Santa sailings and the dynamic trio of Clippers filming campaigns—has solidified our position as a leader in green maritime transport on the Thames.

The team’s ability to translate complex technical innovations into engaging consumer narratives has resonated with our passengers and stakeholders alike, positioning us as one of the leaders in green maritime transport on the Thames. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together and grateful for their passion and dedication in helping us tell the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers story.

Adrian White

Head of Marketing and Communications, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

  • Pioneering zero-emission vessel named and launch date set for March 2025
  • New vessel increases crossing capacity, enabling over 150,000 passengers to cross every week

In a groundbreaking advancement for sustainable river transport, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has announced that the UK’s first fully electric zero-emission cross-river passenger ferry, Orbit Clipper will launch in March 2025. Currently under construction at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, this innovative vessel will provide an accessible, green and fast route across the Thames seven days a week, enabling over 20,000 Londoners and visitors to travel every weekday.

Orbit Clipper will operate between London’s Canary Wharf on the north side of the Thames and Rotherhithe on the south, offering an efficient and eco-friendly service for cross-river transport. The vessel will cross the river every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends. The 150-passenger ferry, with capacity for 100 bicycles, features a roll-on/roll-off design that enables automated docking on both sides. This innovation enhances accessibility, reduces journey times, and increases capacity for both foot and cycle passengers.

A commitment to a greener future

This zero-emission vessel is part of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ broader sustainable innovation initiative. Following the recent addition of three hybrid high-speed vessels to its main fleet of River Buses, each cutting emissions by up to 90%, Orbit Clipper underlines the business’s commitment to creating green transport solutions for London’s commuters and leisure travellers. The project is a significant step towards Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net-zero by 2050.

Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said, “It’s a real British success story. All of our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest green technology at Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight. This new vessel will launch within our 25th year of operation and it reaffirms our investment in both the local Isle of Wight economy and in London.

“This zero-emission solution also comes after the recent launch of our third hybrid boat – Mars Clipper – into our main River Bus fleet and is the next step on our journey to advancing sustainable maritime technology. The Thames is the lifeblood of our great capital and it’s our ambition to continue to push for further progression along the river – we’re calling upon London’s maritime businesses and government bodies to collaborate and ensure a greener future for all.”

Toby Mumford, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: “At Wight Shipyard we’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers by building its first zero-emission vessel. This was our first build accessing the Innovate UK grant funding in partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, Beckett Rankine and Aqua superPower. Having already delivered six vessels, of which three are hybrid boats, for the fleet, this milestone represents not only a significant step forward for sustainable maritime innovation in the UK but also highlights the international potential for British-built electric vessels. We hope and expect that it is the first of many.

“It’s an honour to contribute to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ 25-year legacy, and we’re proud that our work here on the Isle of Wight supports both the local economy and the evolution of cleaner, greener transport solutions for London and beyond.”

Tim Beckett, Director, Beckett Rankine, said: “It’s now five years since Beckett Rankine and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers came up with the concept for a zero-emission roll-on/roll-off ferry at Rotherhithe, as an alternative to the then proposed bridge. I am delighted that this vision is now being realised, with the aid of Wight Shipyard building the vessel and Aqua Superpower providing the shore power connections.

“Orbit Clipper is a groundbreaking vessel in many respects, not least in that it is a double-ended, self-docking, auto-mooring ferry. This has, in turn, required the design of a novel new pier for Rotherhithe and a pier extension for Canary Wharf. The new pier is designed with a gentle gradient to make the ferries accessible for cyclists and people with restricted mobility. Improved cycle access supports wider plans for e-cargo bike river crossings. Beckett Rankine is proud to have been responsible for the design and consenting of these pier works, on which construction is due to commence in January. As London extends eastward, there is an increasing need for cross-river pedestrian and cycle links across the Thames, so Orbit Clipper couldn’t be launching at a better time.”

Matt Holland, chief project engineer, Aqua superPower, said: “Aqua superPower is proud to contribute its marine fast-charging expertise to this pioneering project, which sets a benchmark for future initiatives. The launch of Orbit Clipper marks a significant step in decarbonising diesel ferries on the Thames, playing a vital role in London’s clean mobility efforts. Our involvement highlights Aqua’s commitment to marine electrification and cutting-edge infrastructure, and we are excited to collaborate with fellow industry leaders to drive this transformation forward.”

Orbit Clipper (designed by Aus Ships Group) will replace the current cross-river ferry service, continuing to serve the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Rotherhithe and meeting the demands of Canary Wharf’s growing employment centre and burgeoning residential neighbourhoods on both sides of the river. A new step free pontoon is being built on the south side as part of the project, and the existing pier at Canary Wharf will be modified to accommodate the new fully electric ferry berth. This initiative has been made possible through partial sponsorship from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (funded by the Department for Transport with Innovate UK), and with project partners high-speed aluminium ship builder, Wight Shipyard Company; maritime civil engineering consultants, Beckett Rankine; and electric infrastructure specialists, Aqua superPower.

For over 25 years, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has spearheaded innovations in the marine sector, consistently supporting the Thames’ role in Greater London’s sustainable transport future. As part of this mission, the business has also been exploring advanced fuel options, including compressed hydrogen gas, liquid hydrogen, and methanol.

For more information about Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and its sustainability initiatives, please visit uberboatbythamesclippers.com.

  • Evening of Cheese event returns on Wednesday 11 December
  • New festive series of hit podcast Borough Talks
  • Perfect your festive feast with the Market’s seasonal guide

Cheese fans rejoice, on Wednesday 11 December from 6pm-9pm, Borough Market’s popular Evening of Cheese returns. The annual event led by the Market’s community of cheesemongers offers shoppers the chance to indulge in the highest quality cheeses from Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands and explore accompanying wines, ciders, chutneys and more. Cheeselovers can take advantage of expert advice – and delicious tastings – on pairing recommendations and creating the perfect festive cheeseboard.

And from mid-November, the festive spirit will arrive at London’s iconic Borough Market with Christmas trees, twinkly lights and traditional garlands adorning the space, creating a magical experience for food shoppers stocking up on all the festive essentials. The Market will operate extended opening times, trading seven days a week from Monday 2 December – Tuesday 24 December (included).

Driving home for Christmas? Podcast playlist sorted

Following its triumphant return in the summer, Borough Market’s very own podcast, Borough Talks, is back with a new, festive series. With four episodes that feature conversations with  Market traders and highlight seasonal produce, guests include Syed Usman Shah from Date Sultan; Jack Applebee from Applebee’s Fish, Raf Rundell from Richard Haward’s Oysters; cheesemongers, Coles Loomis of Jumi Cheese and Jon Thrupp of Mons; and Calvin Pearson from Borough Wines.

Hosted by food journalist Giulia Crouch and recorded in the bustling Market, the first episode will be available from Tuesday 26 November, with the remaining episodes available weekly – for free – on all major podcast platforms and on Borough Market’s website.

Cook like a pro with the Market’s seasonal guide and recipes

Offering inspiration for the perfect festive feast, the Market’s seasonal guide showcases the unique food available from its traders and includes a series of recipes to help shoppers get the very best out of their produce. From festive canape[GU1] s and Christmas dinner classics to leftover pies, the recipes make sure nothing goes to waste. The seasonal guide will be available both in store or online.

Jane Swift, CEO of Borough Market, said: “With our events, podcast and seasonal recipes, our traders are pulling out all the stops this year to share their knowledge with food lovers and inspire them on ways to create the best culinary experience this Christmas. We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming shoppers to our Evening of Cheese, where they can meet face to face with our expert traders and get lots of ideas to perfect their Christmas cheeseboards with something a little different.”

After opening seven days a week until Christmas Eve, the Market will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 27 December, so that traders can enjoy time with their families. The Market will also be closed on New Years’ Day, 2 and 3 January. Full details on the Market’s Christmas opening times, can be found here.

To find out more about winter at Borough Market , visit:  boroughmarket.org.uk

Switch-on the Christmas lights with the new Lord Mayor, indulge in festive weekend markets, enjoy guided walks and more

The new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alastair King DL, will be lighting up the City of London’s iconic hidden gem, Leadenhall Market, on Thursday 14th November, kickstarting the Victorian market’s Christmas celebrations.

The much-loved annual Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will take place at 6pm – complete with pyrotechnic firework fountains – unveiling the full splendour of Leadenhall Market’s giant real Christmas tree, which will sit under the breathtaking central atrium which depicts a starry night sky.

The 18-foot-tall glittering Christmas tree will be decked with a colour changing LED light display, complementing the large red and gold baubles and beautiful fir tree garlands throughout the market. A twinkling light tunnel will bring festive cheer to Beehive Passage, tempting visitors to explore the shops, restaurants and bars nestled in the cobbled alleyways of Leadenhall Market.   

Shoppers will be treated to live music from Super Tenants who will be encouraging crowd participation in a range of seasonal songs from 5.30pm, before the countdown begins for the Lord Mayor Alistair King’s speech and Christmas light switch on at 6pm.

The festive garlands festooning the Victorian shopfronts are being designed by Leadenhall Market’s longstanding family run florist, Windsor flowers, where customers can pick up the perfect Christmas table centrepiece, and the market’s boutique shops, restaurants and bars will be stacked full of festive gifts, food and seasonal tipples – ideal for Christmas shopping and dining in one of London’s most beautiful locations. Please check individual stores for opening times.

The Lord Mayor’s switch on is appropriate as former Lord Mayor Richard ‘Dick’ Whittington gifted the previous stone structure of Leadenhall Market to the City of London in 1411. This was replaced in 1881 with Leadenhall Market’s current stunning wrought iron and glass architecture.

  • Christmas weekend markets

Bringing more festive sparkle, the popular weekend pop up markets, introduced for the first time earlier this year to bring the market back to Leadenhall, will return for the Christmas season. South-London based SoLo Craft Fair will feature a beautiful array of Christmas gifts, from uniquely hand-crafted art, jewellery, and home accessories to children’s toys and more. Run by makers, for makers, SoLo Craft Fair supports a pool of carefully selected, talented crafters that have proved very popular with weekend shoppers looking for something new.

Judy’s presents The Vintage Furniture & Flea Market has drawn in shoppers throughout the summer months with their eclectic collections of one-off pieces of furniture from the mid-century onwards, alongside fashion from the twenties to the noughties. This market day will be ideal for picking up a standout seasonal piece to create the perfect cosy home or one-of-a-kind present ideas for vintage fans.

  • Saturday 16 November – SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market
  • Sunday 24 November – The Vintage Furniture & Flea Christmas Market
  • Saturday 7 December – SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market
  • Festive walks

After the official light switch-on, visitors are invited to explore the illuminated Market by joining Leadenhall’s popular guided walks. From 20 November these tours will embrace a Christmas theme, sharing stories of the market’s holiday traditions past and present. From its Roman origins to Dickens’ Victorian celebrations and the City’s most fortunate and fearless goose – Old Tom – the tours blend fascinating history with festive fun. Led by a City of London guide, the walks are suitable for all ages and will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, priced £8.30, between 20 November and 11 December. Booking in advance is required to secure your place (see website for details: leadenhallmarket.co.uk/festive-guided-walks-2024/)

  • Workshops and tastings

Over the Christmas season, Leadenhall Market offers fantastic festive shopping, with some tenants also hosting exclusive Christmas activities. From 15 November, Pollock’s Toy Museum pop up will invite children of all ages to decorate their own Victorian-style face mask (contribution £2), the perfect accessory for any upcoming Christmas parties. Also available, the chance to make Danish woven paper hearts, designed to hang up as festive decoration or give as a gift – materials and assistance supplied. Pollock’s Toy Museum is open from 11am to 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays until the 20 December.

In the run up to Christmas, wine merchants Amathus are hosting Customer tastings every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For the wine lovers in your life, Amathus offers bespoke presents, including personalised bottle engravings and corporate gifting ideas. For those planning the office party, bulk discounts are available for corporate events.

Situated in the centre of the City of London’s financial district, the current Grade II listed Market building, designed by Sir Horace Jones, dates back to 1881. Its airy and light wrought iron and glass structure replaced the stone market previously created by Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington in the 15th Century. Now, the market is home to 23 restaurants, cafes and bars, which sit alongside 15 retail outlets, creating a hub for shopping and dining in the City.  

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.   

  • However, school gardening is on the increase and growing fruit and veg at school could be the ticket to eating a more varied diet   
  • 12 London schools lead the way by selling their school-grown produce at the Young Marketeers Harvest Market Day in London’s iconic Borough Market on 2 October 

The proportion of children growing their own fruit and vegetables at school has increased by 10% since 2018, according to new research of over 1,000 7-11 year olds commissioned by Borough Market1. Almost half (49%) of children surveyed have tried growing fruit and veg at school, up from 39% in 2018. What’s more, children have cited growing their own produce as the biggest influence on them trying a wider variety of fruit and vegetables. 

Since 2011, Borough Market and School Food Matters have been running the Young Marketeers programme, designed to help school children in London understand where their food comes from and how to cook with it. Children who take part in the programme grow their own fruit and veg at school, before selling their produce to the public at London’s iconic market.  

The research found that while children are familiar with many types of fruit and veg, there are still some gaps to be filled. When asked to identify different fruit and vegetables, the most recognised were carrots and strawberries (with 95% of children surveyed correctly identifying them). Yet, the low-cost, easy-to-grow courgette and squash were among the least recognised, with just 31% and 36% (respectively) identifying them correctly. The most mysterious veg was the humble beetroot which just over 1 in 4 (28%) children surveyed could identify correctly.  

Almost a third (30%) said that growing their own would encourage them to try more varieties of fruit and vegetables. This was above seeing their family eating more (23%), being offered more at school (20%), seeing their friends eating more (18%) or even their favourite music star (9%), suggesting a rising hunger from children to get their hands dirty and get growing. 

Nearly one in five (17%) children say they never help with cooking, with 20% of this group stating the reason they don’t is that they are not allowed to. However, there is a desire to get hands on, with  more than half (54%) of respondents said they would like to learn how to cook and 44% would like to learn how to grow their own fruit and veg.  

Jane Swift, CEO at Borough Market, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the passion and curiosity from school children around growing food and understanding about where it comes from. Growing their own produce is a great way for children to connect with the food on their plate and our research suggests it could even be the ticket to helping them eat a more varied diet. The Young Marketeers programme is a leading example of how this can be done and we are proud to have been supporting School Food Matters to reach pupils across London for the last 13 years.” 

Stephanie Slater, Founder and Chief Executive at School Food Matters, said: “It’s a shame that so many children leave school without understanding that food comes from the soil, not the supermarket. The Young Marketeers programme exists to help change this, by taking children through the entire food journey – from growing and nurturing to harvesting and selling their own produce. 

“Each year, children tell us how much they love learning outdoors and deploying their entrepreneurial skills on Market Day. There’s a wider benefit too. Children who grow their own fruit and vegetables are more likely to try them, develop positive eating habits, and become more aware of issues around health and nutrition. It’s for these reasons that School Food Matters is calling for the government to kickstart a food education revolution across the country, so that every child in every school can develop the skills they need to lead happy and healthy lives.” 

On Wednesday 2 October, from 11am – 1.30pm, children from 12 local primary schools will be setting up stalls in London’s iconic Borough Market to sell fruit and vegetables that they have grown from seed at school, as part of the annual Harvest Market Day. All proceeds will be donated to Plan Zheroes, a food redistribution charity that collects quality surplus food from businesses in London and redistributes it to charities supporting vulnerable people across the city. 

To date, the partnership has seen more than 250 schools attend trader training. Some students have grown their own fruit and veg and sold it at the Market, while others have made soup from seasonal produce. Over the years, over £14,000 has been raised for charities from these sales. 

To find out more about the Young Marketeers programme, watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq2M1pH1ig   

For more information on the Harvest Market Day, visit:  schoolfoodmatters.org/what-we-do/projects/food-education/young-marketeers 

We’re at the cusp of a whole bunch of awards celebrations and we have plenty to celebrate!  We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for multiple awards for our innovative communications solutions. Of course, the pride and glory of awards are always enjoyable, but more than anything, we’re pleased with what this recognition says about our work.

Having judged many awards ourselves, we know that creativity, innovation and impact are what’s needed to make an award entry stand out from the crowd. At Barley, we blend strategy, creativity, expertise and passion into social purpose communications that deliver real impact for our clients.

Here’s a snapshot of the work we’ve been shortlisted for:

Rebranding a charity for ETP

To mark a new era for ETP, we designed a bold visual identity that unifies perspectives, clarifies the organisation’s message and charts a course for the future. We developed a new website that’s been shortlisted for Best Website or App at the Memcom Excellence Awards and Best Marketing Initiative or Project at the Association Excellence Awards.

Membership organisation, EACTS

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) – a 4,000+ membership organisation for the cardiothoracic surgical community that aims to improve outcomes for heart and lung patients around the world – has been shortlisted for Best In-Person Event of the Year at the Memcom Excellence Awards.

The shortlist for EACTS is for the 37th EACTS Annual Meeting which took place in Vienna in 2023 – and we’re proud to support EACTS to deliver the flagship event. At Barley, our work includes managing organic and paid social media to drive over 5,000 participants to the event, publishing a daily newspaper over the four-day event and working with Go Forth Films to produce a daily highlights video. Barley is again supporting EACTS with this year’s Annual Meeting, which is being held in Lisbon from 9-12 October.

Environmental behaviour change campaign for Keep Britain Tidy

Based on eye-opening data about people’s buying habits, we created and delivered a topical campaign across digital and social platforms, setting our audience the task of buying nothing new for a month. This one is up for Behaviour Change Campaign of the Year at the Global Glood Awards and the Education, Training and Communication Award at the National Sustainability Awards.

Charity communications for Nordoff and Robbins

We’re shortlisted for PR Team of the Year at the Charity Times Awards for our strategic approach to media relations for the inaugural Northern Music Awards – helping Nordoff and Robbins raise their profile, raise funds and demonstrate the impact of their life-changing work as the UK largest provider of music therapy.

Local authority communications for Suffolk Waste Partnership

Our #ShakeItOut campaign to reduce recycling contamination has made a lasting impact, resonating with Suffolk households through eye-catching creative across multiple communications channels. This standout campaign of this year’s awards has so far been shortlisted a whopping eight times.

And there’s more! In addition to our client work, Barley has also been shortlisted for several agency awards, including the Women in Green Business Awards and the Association Excellence Awards.

This recognition is true testament to the dedication, imagination and enthusiasm our team brings to every project. And we’re ever appreciative of our marvellous clients for choosing Barley to deliver across a wide range of their communications needs.

Bring on the celebrations!

London’s defining landmark adds four European language options to its Smartify audio guide offer, and an audio descriptive tour for people with visual impairments

Visitors to Tower Bridge can now enhance their experience further with an immersive audio tour in French, German, Italian or Spanish . Already available in English, the Highlights Tour, an audio guide powered by Smartify, has been upgraded to include new European language options, as well as a new sensory audio descriptive tour.

Free to download onto visitors’ smartphones, the Highlights Tour reveals Tower Bridge’s incredible history with an interactive journey through London’s defining landmark. As well as expert commentary and testimonials from the experienced Tower Bridge team, users of the app also get access to exclusive images and photography. Once downloaded, visitors simply choose their preferred language and enjoy a 45-minute tour of the Towers, High-level Walkways and the Engine Rooms.

In addition to this, a new audio descriptive tour is also now available for visually impaired visitors, for the first time, bringing an experience to engage all senses. Developed by Smartify and consultant Joe Rizzo Naudi, the audio descriptive tour will enable visitors to understand more about the materials and surfaces, while highlighting the temperatures, the changing light levels and different spatial experiences, enabling visitors to connect with the defining landmark, both inside and outside the Bridge.

Dirk Bennett, Tower Bridge Exhibition Development Manager, said: “We dipped our toe in the water, and launched an English version of our Smartify audio tour in the summer of 2023 and the response has been fantastic. We’ve had over 130,000 users in less than 12 months downloading and tuning in to hear the extraordinary stories behind Tower Bridge’s construction, maintenance and its role in London’s transportation and cultural life today. So, we’re excited to bring expanded audio tour options for our visitors from across Europe and beyond, and to develop a richer experience for those with visual impairments. It’s an area we’re keen to develop further too, and we’re already planning for the next phase of additions: watch (or listen to) this space.”

Tower Bridge is a must-see for visitors to London, for its rich history to its incredible views from the Glass Floors in the High-level Walkways. This summer, the Bridge hosts a free open-air exhibition on the Bridge. Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks is currently open and runs until the 1 October, and showcases a collection of never-before-seen photography from the Bridge’s final few weeks of construction and public opening 130 years ago in 1894.

Find out more about Tower Bridge, its Highlights Tour and to book, visit towerbridge.org.uk.

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