History of Manchester's Markets

Visiting one of Manchester's markets is like witnessing a living history. The traditions and origins of Manchester's markets stretch back centuries, and many of today's traders have been in the business of buying and selling for generations.

Manchester was first given the right to hold markets in 1066 by the newly victorious William the Conqueror. In a congratulatory gesture, he conferred the title of Manor of Manchester upon one of his valued knights. And with the honour came the privilege of holding markets and fairs.

The council's longstanding link with markets was created in 1845, when the authority bought the city's Market Rights from Sir Oswald Moseley. A year later, the Corporation of Manchester was given the power to provide and regulate markets in the city under the 1846 Manchester Markets Act.

For the next three decades, most markets in the city served the wholesale trade, dealing mostly in the slaughter of livestock and the preparation of meat for cold stores and general sale.

In 1872, the Smithfield area around Shude Hill and Thomas Street was transformed by the creation of the wholesale fruit, vegetable and fish markets. Situated in what is now known as the Northern Quarter area of the city, Smithfield was a cavernous structure filled with the vibrancy and chaos of goods being loaded and deals being made.

The beautifully carved arches of the original fish market can still be seen from the cobbles of the High Street, complemented by the glass and metal of new apartment blocks.

The fringes of the area became a haven for retail stalls and barrow boys, busy selling anything from fresh buns to second hand books. The remnants of this early era can still be seen selling fruit and vegetables in Church Street. And Shude Hill's many second bookstores are the relatives of the old stalls that used to line the street on market days.

The wholesale market was re-located to huge-purpose built premises in Openshaw in 1973, and is now one of the largest wholesale traders in the country. Traders work throughout the night to supply the best fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, game and poultry to businesses and other markets across Greater Manchester.

Wythenshawe Market was established in 1975, but is soon to move location as part of the area's regeneration. The new Gorton Market moved to its new indoor hall in June 2008, while Harpurhey Market relocated to new undercover premises five years ago.

And Church Street's stalls - the last remaining descendents of Manchester's original market - will soon be re-housed in a new glass fronted food hall.
The history of Manchester's markets is still being written.