News

Two much-loved Chapel Market traders named Islington’s 2025 Market Traders of the Year, honouring their dedication, quality, and character.

More than 1,700 low-income households in Islington are now getting automatic discounts on their water bills – saving hundreds of pounds a year – thanks to a new data-sharing scheme. 

A series of pop-up markets celebrating Black-owned businesses is returning to Islington, bringing music, food, fashion and more with a launch event at Whitecross Street Market. 

New planning protections will help preserve Islington’s high streets, support local businesses, and prevent poor-quality, unaffordable housing developments that bypass the full planning process. 

Community football pitches next to Finsbury Leisure Centre are set to be retained under new Islington Council proposals to end plans to build new housing on the site.  

Islington’s Chapel Market is set to host a pop-up event showcasing refugee entrepreneurs, offering unique products and directly supporting businesses led by refugees. 

A new series of pop-up events at Archway Market will spotlight Black entrepreneurship, celebrate cultural diversity, and create lasting opportunities for local Black-owned businesses to flourish in Islington.

Islington has a dynamic local economy characterised by its diversity, entrepreneurialism, innovation, strategic location, and ongoing investment, making it a vibrant and thriving borough within London’s economic landscape. 

A young traders market was held at the newly improved Chapel Market, giving young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 an opportunity to show off their wares, meet new customers and hone their business skills.

Small businesses in Islington can now apply for £5,000 circular economy grants to help them minimise waste and try new sustainable practices. 

Old Street is one of the business success stories of the UK. Companies working in tech, creative and ‘knowledge’ businesses are clustered together in the busy streets of south Islington and neighbouring boroughs. These sectors drive much of the UK economy. In London, the tech sector is growing more than two and a half times faster than the UK average and contributes £184bn to the British economy. 

The winners of this year’s Market Trader of the Year competition were announced at the council’s festive event at Chapel Market on Saturday 2 December.