A grocery and provision market has been established on the site of the Corn Exchange since medieval times. A permanent building - of classical design - was first erected in Hanging Ditch in 1837. Construction work on the present building - to meet the growing requirements of the North West's Grocery and Provision Traders - began in 1890 and extended over a period of 13 years. The existing building, designed by architects, Ball and Else, is noted for its glass and steel roofed internal market hall.