History of Markets in Newcastle

"...When King John made Newcastle upon Tyne a borough in 1216, there were already markets thriving in the town. For the most part these markets were strung out along the Great North Road. This was the town's main thoroughfare and came into the town by the Tyne Bridge, near the site of today's Swing Bridge. The markets included a  herb market, which existed there in 1723, and beyond this was a fish market opposite the Guildhall. The number of specialised markets fell over time but as the town grew beyond its walls, new markets sprang up. It is likely that the demolition of the town walls along the river front encouraged the growth of the Sunday Quayside Market..." (Newcastle City Council)

"No town in the north of England can boast of better market accommodation than Newcastle: The New Butcher's Market, built in 1808, covers an area of 72 by 63 yards and is arranged in four divisions, containing 153 neat butcher's shops, built of hewn free stone. At the north end of the market stands the White Cross, under which butter and eggs are exposed for sale. An edifice of this description formerly stood in Newgate street. The narrow steep and winding street called the Butcher bank may also be considered as a flesh market, being inhabited chiefly by butchers. The Corn Market was formerly held in an inconvenient situation at the foot of Pilgrim street but in May 1812 it was removed to the spacious area on the north side of St Nicholas church, near to which is the street called the Groat Market, where Oats and Bigg are exposed for sale. The Fish Market on the Sand hill is one of the most convenient and serviceable establishments of the kind in the kingdom. It was opened in 1823 and is well supplied with fish brought from Newbiggin, Cullercoats, and Whitburn and during the spring months large quantities are brought from the coast of Yorkshire by the five men boats. The Green Market for the sale of vegetables etc is at the south end of the New Butcher market. The Leather Market House at No 9 High bridge belongs to the Cordwainers company. The sale of this commodity does not take place as might be inferred every week the periods of sale being at two well attended leather fairs, which are held annually on the 13th of August and the 30th October. The Markets are held on Tuesday and Saturday and are numerously attended by farmers, graziers, corn merchants, and tradesmen of the surrounding country, especially the one on Saturday." (W. Parson and W. White, 1827)

Fish Market

Initially a street market on Sandhill by the Newcastle Quayside.

1823 moved into a new section of the Guildhall on Sandgate, designed by John Dobson.

Old Fish market, Sandhill

Clayton Street

Green Market 

Other Markets

• Butcher's Bank (now Akenside Hill) location of master butchers the 17th and 18th century.
• Green Market
• Quayside Market
• Bigg Market
• Cloth Market
• Groat Market
• Milk Market (Sandgate)
• 1808: New Butcher's Market
• 1830: Cattle Market
• 1835: Grainger Market