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Doncaster Market lies in the centre of the city of
In the 1780s, cattle sales in the market were gathered together, in Parsonage Row. The market was paved, and it was one of the largest in the country for the sale of wool. In 1843, a corn market was opened, although this was later sold and was re-erected in
In 1845, most of the market buildings were demolished, including the former church. A new market hall was constructed in the middle of the cleared area. The new building was designed by J. Butterfield, and was two storeys high, with a U-shaped plan. In 1871, more buildings were cleared, to permit the construction of a 
In 1930, a single storey fish market was added to the rear of the original market hall. The building was grade II* listed in 1950. In 1994, there was a major fire in the Corn Exchange, following which it was restored. The restoration revealed the Mediaeval cemetery and some Roman pottery. The floor of the market hall was raised, and it reopened in 1997.
J. Butterfield also designed a woollen market, on the north-east side of the marketplace. It is a 9-by-7 bay hall, constructed of brick and iron, with stalls arranged in four arcades. It was completed in 1863, and renovated in the 20th-century with replacement doors and glazing. It was restored in 2019, to house both stalls selling goods, and food stalls. During renovations, a Mediaeval well was discovered under the floor, which is now visible under glass.
Doncaster Market lies in the centre of the city of Doncaster
Doncaster (, ) is a city in South Yorkshire, England. Named after the River Don, it is the administrative centre of the larger City of Doncaster. It is the second largest settlement in South Yorkshire after Sheffield. Doncaster is situated in ...
, in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and metropolitan county, metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of England. The county has four council areas which are the cities of City of Doncaster, Doncaster and City of Sh ...
, England.
History
The market was first chartered in 1248, and was held in and around the church of St Mary Magdalene. It expanded to cover a triangular square, north of the church, on the edge of the then-built-up area. The church was deconsecrated in 1548, and buildings gradually encroached on its churchyard. In 1756, a Butchers' Shambles and butter cross were constructed to the west of the former church, followed in 1778 by a New Shambles.
In the 1780s, cattle sales in the market were gathered together, in Parsonage Row. The market was paved, and it was one of the largest in the country for the sale of wool. In 1843, a corn market was opened, although this was later sold and was re-erected in Goole
Goole is a port town and civil parish on the River Ouse in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The town's historic county is the West Riding of Yorkshire.
According to the 2011 UK census, Goole parish had a population of 19,518, an increa ...
in 1875. In 1900, an underground cold store and public weighbridge
A truck scale (US), weighbridge (non-US) or railroad scale is a large set of scales, usually mounted permanently on a concrete foundation, that is used to weigh entire rail or road vehicles and their contents. By weighing the vehicle both emp ...
were added to the market, and in 1908, the cattle market was extended, with an octagonal auction ring added.
In 1971, a plan proposed the relocation of the market, but this was not carried out. Instead, in 1974, the marketplace was made a conservation area in 1974. The conservation area includes the variety of two- and three-storey buildings surrounding the marketplace, including 18th- and 19th-century coaching inns, and 20th-century shops. By 2007, the northern end of the marketplace was used as a car park. At the time, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council is the local authority of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England, based at the Doncaster Civic Office in Waterdale, central Doncaster. It is one of four local authories in South ...
stated that "the market offers a wide range of goods, lively atmosphere and still draws the community into the market place. This is despite a local perception that the market is in decline". At the time, the main market days were Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Market Hall, Corn Exchange and Fish Market
In 1845, most of the market buildings were demolished, including the former church. A new market hall was constructed in the middle of the cleared area. The new building was designed by J. Butterfield, and was two storeys high, with a U-shaped plan. In 1871, more buildings were cleared, to permit the construction of a corn exchange
A corn exchange is a building where merchants trade grains. The word "corn" in British English denotes all cereal grains, such as wheat and barley; in the United States these buildings were called grain exchange. Such trade was common in towns ...
to infill the "U", and project to the front. This extension was designed by William Watkins and is five bays wide, with red sandstone columns, and a large lunette window. The interior of this section is described by Historic England
Historic England (officially the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It is tasked w ...
as "very elaborate", with the upper storey being a three-sided gallery. It was principally used for the trading of corn, but also for concerts. After World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, it became a municipal restaurant and dance hall, then in 1967 it became part of the market.
In 1930, a single storey fish market was added to the rear of the original market hall. The building was grade II* listed in 1950. In 1994, there was a major fire in the Corn Exchange, following which it was restored. The restoration revealed the Mediaeval cemetery and some Roman pottery. The floor of the market hall was raised, and it reopened in 1997.
Wool Market
J. Butterfield also designed a woollen market, on the north-east side of the marketplace. It is a 9-by-7 bay hall, constructed of brick and iron, with stalls arranged in four arcades. It was completed in 1863, and renovated in the 20th-century with replacement doors and glazing. It was restored in 2019, to house both stalls selling goods, and food stalls. During renovations, a Mediaeval well was discovered under the floor, which is now visible under glass.
References
External links
*{{official website, http://www.doncastermarket.com/ Doncaster Retail markets in England 1248 establishments in England