Islington's Market Traders of the Year 2019 revealed at Chapel Market festive event

Voted for by Islington shoppers, Serpil, behind Sunny’s Olive Tree in Whitecross Street Market, won the street food category, and fruit and veg seller Dave Jackson from Chapel Market, won the non-street food category.

Customer Zane Moses nominated Serpil for her “fresh ingredients, diversity of options and a variety of salad every day. Super friendly people.”

While Suzy Gordon, who voted for Dave, said: “I have bought from Dave Jackson for over 32 years. He has the freshest fruit and veg on the market, and his demeanour and banter makes me go and buy there every week. I look forward to seeing him, and his daughter Katie. My five a day (and my son’s) all come courtesy of Dave Jackson. Wouldn’t go anywhere else!”

Both Serpil and Dave receive £150 off their pitch rent and Zane and Suzy get a £50 voucher to spend on their chosen trader’s stall.

Jan Hart, Director of Public Protection at Islington Council, said: “I’d like to congratulate Serpil and Dave for winning this year’s competition. Both of them are long-standing Islington traders who deserve to be recognised for their service and quality produce that they sell.

“Our traditional street markets are important places in Islington – where many people meet and afford to buy good quality goods. We want our markets to be affordable, local and social and are pleased that so many residents and workers in the borough got behind our competition by voting for their favourite trader. It goes to prove that Islington’s markets are treasured by many people and are great places to visit and shop.”

Islington’s Market Trader of the Year 2019 is open to traders directly licensed by Islington Council at one of the five main council-run markets – Camden Passage, Chapel Market, Exmouth Market, Whitecross Street and Archway – and a few other sites around the borough.

Find out all you need to know about Islington’s markets at www.islington.gov.uk/markets