Preston's grand old canopy still going strong after 150 years

Preston Markets are hosting a Victorian themed celebration in mid August 2025 to mark the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Covered Market which took place in November 1875

- writes Keith Johnson.

Markets have always been a part of Preston life from the earliest times and they remain so today although the number of markets and traders has declined. Preston has hosted a number of markets and fairs within the old borough boundaries many of them having their roots in the Victorian era and earlier. By Royal Charters, dating back to 1292, the right to free trade in the old town was granted to the inhabitants.

In the ancient Market Place grain, butter, eggs, poultry, sweetmeats and fish were all sold, whilst linen and flannel goods were sold in the north eastern corner and fruit at the north western corner. Vegetable sellers were in Cheapside, whilst in Church Street the butchers had stalls on the south side of that thoroughfare, with the goose and pork market held in front of the Parish Church wall.

After the erection of the Corn Exchange in 1824 a market for grain, butter, eggs and poultry was held there every Saturday and on the same day a regular pig market was held in St. John's Street. When the Covered Market was erected in 1875 it was used for the sale of furniture on a Monday, hay and straw on a Tuesday and Thursday, fruit, vegetables and butter on a Wednesday and Saturday. Intermingled with the markets were a whole host of fairs selling cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, cheese and crockery.