Norwich Market History tp Today from England's finest Medieval City

Few images of the 18th century market remain in existence.

Here we show representations of the Market Cross and two contrasting scenes of the market place itself.

Thomas Hearne: "Old Market Cross, Norwich" (undated)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Artist Unknown: "A prospect of the Market Cross in the City of Norwich" (1732)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Robert Dighton: "Norwich Market Place" (1799)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Thomas Rowlandson : "Norwich Market Place" (1788)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery

As the 19th century progressed, artists impressions were supplemented by photos. Both give us very clear images of the hustle & bustle of the market place.

It is particularly interesting to note the predominance of taverns in the surrounding area & the ramshackle nature of the market stalls.

Artist: JS Cotman. Lithographer: H Ninham. "Norwich Market Place" (1809)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery.
Artist Unknown: "Norwich Market Place" (undated)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery.
David Hodgson: "Study of Market Woman" (undated)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery.
Charles Hodgson: "The Old Fishmarket, Norwich" (1821)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery.
David Hodgson: "The Haymarket, Norwich" (1825)

Reproduced by Courtesy of The Yale Centre for British Art.
David Hodgson: "The Old Fishmarket" (1830)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery.
David Hodgson: "Market Place, Norwich" (1842)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
David Hodgson: "Norwich Market Place" (c1855)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Edwin Edwards : "Market Taverns, Norwich" (1880)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Norwich Market Place 1875. The Duke of Wellington's Statue.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
The Flower Market - Late 1800s.

Unknown source
Unknown : "Snapdragon" (1883)

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
Norwich Market Place c1890. Looking towards St Peter Mancroft.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
Norwich Market Place 1891. Looking towards St Peter Mancroft.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
The Fish Market and Wounded Hart c1890

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
A policeman on duty at Norwich Market c1890

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
The Two Necked Swan c1890

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
Norwich Market c1890, Looking towards Peter Mancroft Church.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
Norwich Market c 1890. Looking towards Jarrold's Store

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
Norwich Market Place 1891. Looking towards St Peter Mancroft.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.
The Fish Market c1895

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service.

In 1938 the buildings straddling the market place would be destroyed.Here we see them in their final years. By 1930 many of them had already been taken over by the City Council to house their administrative offices.

The most poignant pictures of the market place during this period are not of the market stalls but of soldiers gathered here ready to leave for The Front. You cannot help but wonder how many would still be alive at the Armistice Day Celebrations which were also held here.

c1900 : Celebrations in the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service

c1900 : Celebrations in the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service

1905 : A TU meeting on the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service

1911 : Celebrations on the Market Place when Edward VII was declared King

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1911 : Soldiers on Parade

Reproduced by Courtesy of Norwich Museum and Art Gallery
1914 : A military assembly

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1915 : Troops are assembled on the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1915 : Troops are prepared for action with a quick "back and sides"

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1915 : Troops are assembled on the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1918 : A Tank is displayed in the Market Place as part of Tank Week

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1918 : A Tank is displayed in the Market Place as part of Tank Week

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1918 : Armistice Day Celebrations

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1919 : The Presentation of Military Medals

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
Undated : The Market Place and Waterloo Tavern

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
Undated : The Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1925 : The Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service

After WW1 the markets committee had gradually bought up the all the stalls on the market,however, no major changes occurred until 1938 in parallel with the development of the new City Hall. At this time the buildings straddling the market place were destroyed and the weird & wonderful selection of stalls & booths which comprised the market were swept away. They were replaced by the striped tilts, which remain synonomous with the market into the 21st century.

A number of pictures record the changes.In particular George Plunkett took fabulous photos of work in progress!

c1930 : The cleared Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
c1930 : Burgess Butchers

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
c1930 : Fish Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
c1930 : Fish Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
1933 : The Guildhall, Civic Offices & the Market

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
c1933 : Norwich Market and trams.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1935 : Norwich City Council Estates Office on the Market Place

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
February 1938 : Gentleman's Walk is widened.

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
February 1938 : North East Corner of Norwich Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
February 1938 : North East Corner of Norwich Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
March 1938 : The Lumber Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
March 1938 : Norwich Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
April 1938 : The Excavation of the Old Fish Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
May 1938 : Destruction of the Municipal Buildings

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
May 1938 : Temporary market stalls in Bethel Street

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
May 1938 : Temporary market stalls in City Hall courtyard

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
May 1938 : Temporary market stalls set up to the rear of the City Hall

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
June 1938 : Destruction of the Municipal Buildings

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
June 1938 : Destruction of the Municipal Buildings

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
July 1938 : Work on the Market Place continues

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
June 1938 : The Upper Terrace which will be the site of the War Memorial is reconstructed

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
September 1938 : Building the new Memorial Garden

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
September 1938 : The Market is repaved.

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
1938 : The new Norwich Market before the arrival of the stalls

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
October 1938 : The flagstaff is hoisted in the new Memorial Garden

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
October 29th 1938 : Crowds Gather for the opening of the City Hall by King George VI & Queen Elizabeth

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
April 1939 : The Memorial Garden

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett
April 1939 : The Norwich Market

George Plunkett’s photo reproduced by kind permission of Jonathan Plunkett

The only notable change that was made to the market over this period was the 1976 refurbishment which included : the introduction of lock up stalls and covered gangways, resurfacing and the installation of new electrical mains cables.

1940s : Fish Stalls and Sir Garnet Wolseley

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1949 : The Market

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
1951 : A view of Norwich Market from St Peter Mancroft Tower

Reproduced by kind permission of the Norfolk Library and Information Service
c1960 : A view of Norwich Market from Jarrold's Store

Photographer Unknown
c1960 : Ponds Flower Stall
c1960 : Sid Lucas' Fruit & Veg Stall
c1960 : Sid Lucas' Fruit & Veg Stall
c1970 : Book Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
c1970 : Fish Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
1971 : Norwich City Council Market and Car Park staff

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
c1974 : Back of market

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
1970s : Mike Read's Fruit & Veg Stall
Post 1976 Rennovation: Fruit & Veg Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of Norwich City Council
c1985: A view of Norwich Market, The Guildhall and St Peter Mancroft

Reproduced by kind permission of Tom Mackie
c1985: A view of Norwich Market and Castle

Reproduced by kind permission of Tom Mackie

After much discussion and the odd bit of controversy the Market was totally redesigned 2004/ 2005 under the aegis of Michael Innes and Rupert Kitchen of LSI Architects. The challenges were similar to those encountered in the 1930s i.e. how to meet current legislative requirements and shoppers needs whilst maintaining the unique ambience of this historic site.

Pre - Renovation : A view over the canopies

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : The market stalls locked up

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : Metal Canopies

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : A fruit stall

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : The Fish Stalls

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : Roof Tops

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
Pre - Renovation : A Book Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : A Shoe Stall

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Pre - Renovation : Roof Tops

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
2004 : Crowds celebrate Norwich City's promotion to the Premiership

Reproduced by kind permission of Archant
February 2005 : Norwich Market

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
Renovation underway : new stalls on right, excavation in the middle, old stalls on the left. Also note the temporary stalls on Gentleman's Walk

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
Excavation : During the renovation archeologists excavated the site and located the site of the Market Cross

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
Excavation : During the renovation archeologists excavated the site and located the site of the Market Cross

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
Reconstruction : New Stalls put in place

Reproduced by kind permission of BBC Voices
January 2006 : New shutters

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
25th March 2006 : New Market is declared open

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
25th March 2006 : New Market is declared open

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
25th March 2006 : New Market is declared open

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
25th March 2006 : New Market is declared open

Reproduced by kind permission of Robert Maguire
Post Renovation : Rooftops and canopies
Post Renovation : View over the market from City Hall Tower
Post Renovation : Carey's Flower Stall
Post Renovation : Mike and Debs Fruit & Veg Stall
Post Renovation : Fruit Stall
Post Renovation: Market Stall
Post Renovation: Front of Market
Post Renovation: The Market at night

Reproduced by kind permission of LSI Architects
Post Renovation: View over Market to City Hall

Reproduced by kind permission of Archant