Wellington is a public company created by an Act of Parliament in the middle of the nineteenth century and can trace its history back to 1244 when Wellington Market was established by Royal Charter. Initially it owned and operated retail, produce and  livestock markets in the town of Wellington, Shropshire.

Since 1996 it has expanded to become the leading private sector retail market operator in the United Kingdom. Currently it operates markets at 21 locations throughout England and Wales from its own freehold premises, leasehold premises and licensed locations. It is the only public company operating retail markets.

The company is determined to maintain its position as the leading operator of markets in the UK by continuing to invest in markets and improve its service to its partners, traders and the public. More than £5 million has been invested in acquiring and refurbishing markets over the past five years and the company policy is to continue the  profitable expansion of the business by both growth and acquisition.

The company ensures compliance with all statutory legislation is strictly enforced. We do not allow bogus, counterfeit or stolen goods to be sold and ensure compliance with Food Hygiene Regulations. We guarantee the quality of all products sold on our markets and accept returns if necessary.

Building relationships with external stakeholders both supports the markets and allows the benefits of their successful operation to flow back into the local community.

The company is actively pursuing a long-term strategy of building relationships with local authorities and town centre partnerships encouraging investment in market halls and street markets thus improving the variety of offer and vitality of retail centres.

Fundamental to the success of such initiatives is the engagement of stallholders and shoppers so that they can input into the development of proposals for investment and enhancements of the markets.