Kirkgate Market Leeds is a market in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
The markets first opened in 1822 as an open air market, and between 1850 and 1875 the first covered sections of the market had been constructed after the market moved from Briggate.[3] The Central Market hall, built alongside Duncan Street, was surrounded on three sides by shops that were mainly rented to butchers and fishmongers. Inside the hall, stalls were erected for the sale of fruit, vegetables, and dairy produce, with the balcony being used for selling fancy goods.[4] The South Market, bordering Hunslet Lane and Meadow Lane, was used by butchers, various goods shops, open stalls, nine slaughterhouses and eighteen homes.[4] Plans for a market on the Kirkgate site were first unveiled in 1850 by Borough Commissioner to plans modelled on Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace in London's Hyde Park. Development began on the current site in 1857. Then in 1875, further land was acquired to the South and East for the expansion of the market.[5] The Corn Exchange and First and Third White Cloth Halls were all situated in close proximity, creating a market area in the city centre. The Third White Cloth Hall closed in 1865, moving to Queen Street, ending this concentrated area of market trading. [edit]Early expansion In 1894, Fish Row was created, a row of fishmongers in a cooled area of the market. Between 1891 and 1895, a domed glazed roof was added to the market hall. A dedicated meat market and abbatoir was developed in 1899. The cost of these expansions totalled over £25,000.[5] [edit]Marks & Spencer The Centenary Clock, marking the Marks & Spencer connection. In 1894, Kirkgate Market was the founding location of Marks & Spencer which opened in Leeds Market as a penny bazaar.[6] The Marks & Spencer's heritage is marked by the Market Clock in the 1904 hall which bears the shops name. This clock was unveiled in 1984 to celebrate the centenary of Marks & Spencer. As part of the proposed Eastgate development Marks & Spencer have proposed vacating their Briggate site
Size: 4000px × 2667px
Location: Leeds , West Yorkshire , UK
Photo credit: © Steve Morgan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: &, covered, founder, kirkgate, largest, leeds, market, marks, spencer, yorkshire
