In 1974, the largest wholesale market in the UK opened in Nine Elms – now, for the first time ever, the public can shop there too

For the first time since opening over 50 years ago, the wholesale market that supplies fresh fruit and vegetables to your favourite restaurants has opened its doors to everyday Londoners. You can now walk into Mercato Battersea every Saturday - and buy the same produce the city’s finest kitchens cook with.

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The fruits, oils, sauces and other products for sale at Mercato Battersea — Credit: Mercato Battersea

Yaiza Canopoli

– Branded Content Staff Writer

· 6 November, 2026

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Did you know that the largest wholesale market in the United Kingdom is right here in Battersea? New Covent Garden Market has been supplying the finest restaurants in London and the South East since it opened in 1974, and is now home to 130 wholesale traders.

Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Michelin-starred restaurants, and celebrity chefs all source their produce from the market. Now, over 50 years later, Mercato Battersea is offering that same opportunity to the public for the first time, opening up a section of the market. Every Saturday morning, you can head to The Buyer’s Walk and get the same produce London’s top kitchens cook with.

What can you buy at Mercato Battersea?

Mercato Battersea sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to cheese, charcuterie, fresh bread, dry goods, and more.

The produce comes to London from across the UK and Europe, with specialities delivered directly from Italy twice a week, such as fresh mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella, and more. Everything is seasonal and sustainably grown.

The fruits and vegetables for sale at Mercato Battersea

When is it open to the public?

This small section of the market opens to the public every Saturday morning, from 9 am to 1 pm.

How does shopping at the market work?

This is not a pop-up farmers’ market by the roadside. You’ll actually get to shop at a section of New Covent Garden Market’s Buyers’ Walk, just like the capital’s leading chefs and wholesale buyers.

If it’s your first time navigating a wholesale market and it all sounds a tad intimidating, you can let Mercato Battersea founders Elena and Andrey know (you can contact them on WhatsApp or Instagram), and they’ll take you on a guided behind-the-scenes tour specially run for new visitors. Here you’ll get to know Mercato Battersea and the market at large, and find out more about the world-class produce sold there six days a week.

Even for seasoned market-goers, the guided tours are a fun way to experience the space, bringing you closer to the growers, the food, and the inner workings of the largest wholesale market in the UK – a perfect Saturday morning out for food lovers.

The fruits and vegetables for sale at Mercato Battersea, and a photo of a customer browsing the shelves

For the first time ever, the public can shop at the largest wholesale market in the UK, and it’s on your doorstep. Visit Mercato Battersea on Saturday mornings and get your hands on the same produce London’s finest kitchens cook with.