Monument record 10086 - The Later Medieval Market: Northgate Street

In the 12th century a second market was established to the north of the ‘forum’ at St Peter’s Church (CHER 10085). The market was located in Northgate Street outside the abbey gatehouse during the time of Earl Ranulph II (1129-53), it too was referred to as a ‘forum’ by the 14th century at least although it was not until the 16th century that the primary focus moved away from St Peters to Northgate Street following the opening of the new Common Hall at St Nicholas Chapel and consequently the oversight of the markets to that place rather than the Pentice court.

Throughout the post medieval period the important markets were gradually moved from the church to Northgate Street following the addition of a new shambles underneath the new Common Hall in 1578 and the creation of an entirely new building in 1695.

Rights to sell produce were gradually stripped from the St Peters forum throughout the later medieval and post medieval period with the butchers moving in 1578, fruit and vegetable in 1690, the fishmongers in 1734 and cheese in the 18th century.

The fish and butchers shambles had fallen into disrepair by the early 19th century when the area was given a major overhaul. The butchers shambles was reduced and replaced by a new butter house while the fish market was moved to the south side of the Exchange, however with the eventual demolition of the Exchange (CHER 10069) in 1862 much of the market was moved to the new public market hall (CHER 10082) adjacent to the Town Hall.

<1> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.