Stockport Market boasts one of the last remaining traditional street markets in the North West in probably the most attractive setting. It is the only market in Greater Manchester still trading where it always has; the heart of Stockport for 750 years!
The refurbished Covered Market Hall
The Market received its market charter in 1260 from Prince Edward, Earl of Chester and in 2010; the celebrations of Stockport Market’s 750th Birthday will be the magnificent centrepiece to the Town Centre’s summer entertainment and event programme.
At first, traders would have set up stalls in the Market Place - originally the outer defence enclosure of StockportCastle which stood on the present site of the Castle Yard. Castle Yard was refurbished for trading in 2004 and is now linked to the Warren Street shopping area through an escalator in TK Maxx. As the market grew in popularity, specialised buildings were added; the first of these was at the top of Mealhouse Brow, where the town’s dungeon still partially survives. The Market Place was also the site used for ancient forms of punishment including the stocks, whipping post, stretch neck and the “brank”. The “brank” or “Scold’s Bridle” was a metal frame placed over the culprit’s head which had a tongue plate with sharp iron pins on the end which went into the mouth and was designed to keep people quiet. A “brank” can be seen today in StockportStoryMuseum at 30 Market Place, alongside Staircase House (a restored Medieval Town House dating back to 1460 and home to a rare Jacobean cage newel staircase).
The Yorkshire stone Hen Market (as it is fondly referred too locally), was built in 1851 and used for the sale of fresh farm produce. For 38 years the top floor was the site of the Town’s free library. Election speeches and Royal proclamations were later made from the balcony; the last known announcement was made in 1910 when George V was proclaimed King. In 2001, this Grade II listed building, one of Stockport's best known landmarks, was transformed to provide a high quality trading environment for both new and established food retailers.
In 1860, the Stockport Advertiser announced that the Manorial Tolls Committee had unanimously selected the design by that of Mr. James Haywood, jun., Phoenix Foundry, Derby , for covering in the open Market-place. The design showed a mode of enclosing the sides and ends of the Market at any future time if required and estimated costs were £2770.
The Market Hall was originally open at the sides which resulted in it being referred to as ‘The Glass Umbrella’. Compared to the traditional building types which surrounded the Market Place the building would have looked remarkable. It was constructed with the most modern methods and materials available at the time. With it’s wrought and cast iron framework and large areas of glass the Market Hall would have had a very light and modern appearance. The first stalls to be allocated were for the butchers, but soon they were joined by earthenware dealers, ironmongers, greengrocers and confectioners.
The main aim of the 2009 restoration project was to restore the historic Covered Market Hall building, maintaining its original function and character whilst vastly improving the facilities offered both for the public and traders alike. In terms of the wider area, this project was the final component in an extensive programme of works carried out by the Conservation Team to regenerate the historic market place.
The Regeneration project team secured a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of just under £1 million in 2006 to implement the scheme and work was split into two phases to enable the market to continue trading throughout the works from January to November 2008.
The Hall had fallen into a poor state of repair and was overcrowded with small stalls inadequate for traders needs. Internally, it had lost much of its original Victorian character. The project included the restoration and repair of the external envelope of the historic Hall and its interior. Careful restoration and redecoration of the structure has rejuvenated the original design and creates a striking interior.
New market stalls have been designed taking precedent from original historic stalls that have been restored. The layout improves circulation throughout and creates long views through the market, highlighting the newly restored architectural features. A new community events space has been created at one end of the Hall. Comprehensive disabled facilities have been incorporated to enable accessibility and encourage greater use of the building by traders, customers and the public.
The scheme was delivered successfully by the Conservation Team in partnership with key stakeholders including the Stockport Market traders, in particular liaising closely with local representatives of the National Market Traders Federation, through consultation with local businesses located in the Market area, with key community groups and with the shoppers, residents and public alike.
Work completed in November 2008 and the Hall was officially opened on the 28th November 2008 by The Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Pam King. In addition a free public Victorian Extravaganza event took place on the Saturday 29th November to celebrate the completion of the project and reopening of the Hall.
So far, the project has won a Conservation Award under Stockport’s Conservation & Design Awards 2009 and has been awarded commendations for Best Indoor Market (NABMA 2009), Regeneration Project (Government Business Awards 2009), NW Royal Town Planners Institute 2009. The project is also a finalist for the Heritage Award under the Royal Town Planners Institute 2009 national awards.