Western International Market, Wholesale market in Hayes, UK
Western International Market is a wholesale center spanning extensive grounds between Southall and Hayes that serves as the main distribution point for fresh produce near Heathrow Airport. The facility handles large volumes of fruits, vegetables, and other foods daily, sending them out to shops and restaurants across the region.
The market began in the 1880s when a farmer started growing cabbages near Kew Bridge. It relocated to its current Hayes location in 1974 to be closer to Heathrow Airport and major transport routes.
The market serves as a vital supply hub for London's diverse food needs, bringing together wholesalers and traders dealing in produce from many countries. Visitors can see how the region's fresh food distribution works through the daily movements of goods and people across the trading floors.
The site is very close to the M4 Motorway and easy to reach by car, especially if you're bringing vehicles for trading or delivery. Opening times are in the early morning hours, so plan to visit while it's still dark if you want to see the trading in action.
At the entrance stands a historic fountain from the 1800s that connects the modern wholesale site to its past as a simple farming market. This monument reminds visitors of how far the operation has grown from its small rural beginning.
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