About us
Market Place are an exciting and dedicated family of independent companies delivering the very best in market services from operations through to consultancy.
How Market Place began
Our flagship company Market Place (Europe) Limited was founded in 2004 by Allan Hartwell and Ian Hill, each offering an unrivalled wealth of experience and knowledge.
At Market Place we pride ourselves on our ability to bring together all the right elements to ensure people have a memorable time at our events and that we leave a lasting legacy in our wake.
Integrity is at the core of everything we do. We believe in delivering the very best; working closely with the team on the ground we develop mutually beneficial relationships with clients and suppliers.
Over the last decade and a half Market Place has generated hundreds of millions of pounds in economic benefit for the cities that invite us and play host to our markets. By developing and delivering events that engage the community, offer high quality products and service and are secure and safe, we attract visitors from across the globe.
Throughout the year we operate a variety of markets and events ranging in size and duration. Our theory is that anything is possible: from a bespoke two-day artisan market to a large scale event stretching across a number of sites and weeks, we are well equipped to deliver the very best.
What we offer
Delivering over 70 market events each year across the United Kingdom, our experience and knowledge in all aspects of the market industry is second to none. We have established both a national and international reputation and are closely associated with all of the industry representative organisations in the UK and abroad.
We are corporate members of Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), Market Advisor to the Associations Regional Access Group and sponsors of the National Diploma in Markets Administration and The Association of London Market Authorities.
For many, Allan Hartwell is the face of Market Place with an infectious passion for keeping the tradition of market trading alive. Following a successful career in local Government where he was Head of the Commercial Services Division in Manchester City Council, Allan moved into the private sector and in 2004 established the first of the Market Place companies with business partner Ian Hill.
Ian is best known for his work on CPA and Best Value where he was NABMA’s Officer Advisor and also for steering the Industry Food Safety Guide to Good Food Hygiene and Practice on Markets through to publication. Allan and Ian are supported by the company CEO Nick Rhodes, who joined the company from Leicester City Council in 2012 and has a respected reputation as a Markets Consultant and as author of the Rhodes Report, the first national survey of UK Markets.
Our solid business foundation and working understanding of the particulars of market delivery on behalf of partners such as local council, is one of the reasons why our company continues to thrive, positioning itself confidently as one of the largest and most respected specialist market operators in the UK.
2004
Market Place Europe (Ltd) is formed by Allan Hartwell and Ian Hill
2004
Belfast Christmas Market pilot project takes place at Belfast City Hall
2004
Maryjane Hartwell joins the Market Place family
2010
The first Glasgow Christmas Market takes place in Enoch Square
2011
Belfast Christmas Market wins the Britain’s Greenest Market award
2011
Nick Rhodes joins Market Place as the new Chief Executive
2012
Belfast Christmas Market wins the UK’s Best Specialty Market award
2012
Three new companies under the Market Place banner open: Market Place Management, Market Place Events and Market Place UK
2012
The first Exeter Christmas Market
2014
The refurbished Harborough Market opens under the management of Market Place
2015
The Belfast Tall Ships Festival takes place and with markets across six sites, making it the largest event in the history of the company
2019
The Operation and Management of Stockport Market by Market Place commences.
More about Market Place
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Over the years we have grown and so too has our experience. Take a look at our team to find out more about our expertise and skills.
Find out more