A group of 20 students, led by Dr Sonia Freire Trigo, an associate professor in urban planning, toured the market to witness its ongoing redevelopment first hand. The visit was part of their studies into the management and delivery of large-scale urban projects.
"NCGM’s regeneration is part of a wider project within the Nine Elms area, alongside Battersea Power Station and the United States embassy, so it’s super interesting to see how the Market is reinventing itself for the decades ahead," said Dr Freire Trigo. "The module that I coordinate is called ‘Delivering Regeneration Projects’, learning the key components to deliver change on a large scale. It’s an amazing eco-system here."
The students were reportedly fascinated by the Market’s diverse mix of 130 tenants, which directly support more than 2,600 full-time equivalent jobs at the Market and many more across the UK’s supply chain.
"It’s amazing to have such a vast wholesale market bang in the middle of central London," commented student Rufus Mitchell. "The scale is huge and although I had heard of the Market before, I had no idea it was here – it’s almost like a hidden gem in the capital."
The tour included viewing newly built units alongside original buildings, and a presentation from Covent Garden Market Authority's General Manager Rob McAuliffe, showcasing images of the Market's future appearance upon completion of the redevelopment programme in Q4 2028.
Student Ilana Zeigerman, an architect interested in regeneration, described NCGM as the ‘perfect project’ to study due to its significant transformation. Alex Aplin, studying urban regeneration, noted the Market's unique function within the city and was impressed by the juxtaposition of new buildings with older structures and rail arches.
