Old Market, Bristol
Encyclopedia
Old Market is a Conservation Area
of national significance, to the east of the city centre in Bristol
, England. Old Market Street and West Street form the central axis of the area, which is approximately bounded by New Street and Lawfords Gate to the north, Trinity Road and Trinity Street to the east, Unity Street and Waterloo Road to the south and Temple Way Underpass to the west.
Old Market Street is an ancient market place which developed immediately outside the walls of Bristol Castle
on what was for many centuries the main road to London (now the A420
); on market days Jacob Street and Redcross Street, which run parallel to Old Market Street, took the through traffic. Old Market’s Pie Poudre Court, which dealt out summary justice to market-day offenders, was not formally abolished until 1971.
The area contains some of Bristol’s most ancient buildings, including the last two remaining houses jettied
over the pavement and over sixty listed buildings. Old Market suffered decades of neglect and severe decline in the mid-20th century due to the removal of Bristol’s historic central shopping area from Castle Street to Broadmead
and the construction of Temple Way Underpass and Easton Way, which severed it from Bristol’s pre-war shopping axis in both directions. Some important buildings still suffer from neglect, but the actions of local conservationists together with grant-aided schemes in the wake of its declaration as a Conservation Area in 1979 have done much to arrest the decline.
Old Market has in recent years become a centre of Bristol’s gay scene, and has been proclaimed as ‘Bristol’s Gay Village’.
In the 13th century, the area was enclosed by a defensive ditch, with Lawford’s Gate at the eastern end separating it from West Street. The ditch marked the boundary of the town of Bristol. The area was characterised by long narrow plots of land, some of which survive today.
West Street was outside Bristol’s jurisdiction and exempt from local taxes, and became a place of inns, low lodgings, squatters and outlaws.
Old Market Street prospered as Bristol’s trade grew, developing into a 370 metres (1,213.9 ft) long street connecting the East Gate of the Castle with Lawford’s Gate, wide in its middle section and narrowing for the gates.
In the 15th and 16th century, the area grew in importance and became the site of almshouses and manufacture, as well as houses, inns and shops.
Old Market did not fare well in the English Civil War
. During the Parliamentarian
attack on Lawford’s Gate, much of West Street may have been destroyed, and buildings to the east of Lawford’s Gate may have been demolished to give the Royalist
s a clear defensive line of fire. Following the Civil War much of the area was redeveloped. The Castle was demolished and with it the East Gate; Old Market Street and Castle Street became a major commercial axis. Many of the buildings erected during this period survive today.
In 1768, Lawford’s Gate was demolished, allowing the extension of the Castle Street – Old Market Street axis into West Street. Old Market became home to a widening range of trades. In Old Market Street and West Street the well-off built town houses; in the side streets leading off to either side the artisans crowded in.
By the end of the 19th century, market trading was becoming increasingly difficult due to the increase in wheeled traffic. Old Market became an important tram terminus, serving areas to the east, north-west and south of the city. By now it was also a well-established shopping street, connecting seamlessly with Castle Street.
Parts of the area were affected by slum clearance programmes in the 1930s, but it was the severance caused by the destruction of Castle Street together with the building of Temple Way Underpass (which obliterated the western end of Old Market Street) that sent the area into near-terminal decline. Some businesses relocated to Broadmead; others closed. Large parts of the area were zoned for redevelopment, and the area was severely blighted.
In the 1970s, the value of what remained started to gain recognition, and in 1979 the area was declared a Conservation Area. Since then many of its at-risk buildings have been restored, and a more sensitive approach to development has done much to improve the area.
, the Holy Trinity Almshouses (founded by John and Isabella Barstaple in the 1402 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century), the Stag and Hounds Public House
(once home of the Pie Poudre Court), the Palace Hotel
and Gardiners Warehouse
.
Other significant buildings include Kingsley Hall
, a Georgian house jettied over the pavement, and 7 Redcross Street, a grand Georgian house with a shell porch. However it is often the townscape that gives Old Market its importance; for example 68-71 Old Market Street where classical Georgian facades stand next to earlier gabled timber-framed houses.
times a court was set up to deal summarily with thieves and debtors of the market and fair called a the Pie-Poudre Court
(also spelt pie poudre or Piepowders). The name comes from the French, "pieds poudrés" which can be translated as "dusty feet", and was a temporary court set up for the duration of a fair or market to deal with travellers who were not resident in the town.
It was held in the open air under an ancient oak
tree, the site of which the Stag and Hounds Public House
was built on. There is no actual record of when the court moved into the inn, where it was reputedly held in the first-floor room.
It is believed that this was the last "active" Court of Piepowders, being abolished by the Courts Act 1971
. Although it had not actually met since the abolition of the fair in 1870, an annual proclamation was still read on the last day of September under the portico of the inn.
-friendly. This has rejuvenated the area’s economy and made it vibrant at night, but it has also led to a proliferation of uses whose frontages are ‘dead’ during the day, reducing natural surveillance and making the area seem uninviting. There are also a number of sex shops and massage parlours in the area which can lead to an unwelcoming atmosphere.
Conservation Area (United Kingdom)
In the United Kingdom, the term Conservation Area nearly always applies to an area considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest, "the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance," as required by the Planning ...
of national significance, to the east of the city centre in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England. Old Market Street and West Street form the central axis of the area, which is approximately bounded by New Street and Lawfords Gate to the north, Trinity Road and Trinity Street to the east, Unity Street and Waterloo Road to the south and Temple Way Underpass to the west.
Old Market Street is an ancient market place which developed immediately outside the walls of Bristol Castle
Bristol Castle
Bristol Castle was a Norman castle built for the defence of Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port.-History:...
on what was for many centuries the main road to London (now the A420
A420 road
The A420 is a road between Bristol and Oxford in England. Between Swindon and Oxford it is a primary route.-Present route:Since the opening of the M4 motorway, the road is in two sections. The first section begins on Old Market Street near the centre of Bristol, it passes through Kingswood before...
); on market days Jacob Street and Redcross Street, which run parallel to Old Market Street, took the through traffic. Old Market’s Pie Poudre Court, which dealt out summary justice to market-day offenders, was not formally abolished until 1971.
The area contains some of Bristol’s most ancient buildings, including the last two remaining houses jettied
Jettying
Jettying is a building technique used in medieval timber frame buildings in which an upper floor projects beyond the dimensions of the floor below. This has the advantage of increasing the available space in the building without obstructing the street...
over the pavement and over sixty listed buildings. Old Market suffered decades of neglect and severe decline in the mid-20th century due to the removal of Bristol’s historic central shopping area from Castle Street to Broadmead
Broadmead
Broadmead is a street in the central area of Bristol, England, which has given its name to the principal shopping district of the city.- History :The name of the street was first recorded in 1383 as Brodemede...
and the construction of Temple Way Underpass and Easton Way, which severed it from Bristol’s pre-war shopping axis in both directions. Some important buildings still suffer from neglect, but the actions of local conservationists together with grant-aided schemes in the wake of its declaration as a Conservation Area in 1979 have done much to arrest the decline.
Old Market has in recent years become a centre of Bristol’s gay scene, and has been proclaimed as ‘Bristol’s Gay Village’.
History
There is documentary evidence of a market immediately to the east of Bristol Castle from the mid-12th century. This area of fertile land with many market gardens was referred to as 'Old Market' from the 15th century.In the 13th century, the area was enclosed by a defensive ditch, with Lawford’s Gate at the eastern end separating it from West Street. The ditch marked the boundary of the town of Bristol. The area was characterised by long narrow plots of land, some of which survive today.
West Street was outside Bristol’s jurisdiction and exempt from local taxes, and became a place of inns, low lodgings, squatters and outlaws.
Old Market Street prospered as Bristol’s trade grew, developing into a 370 metres (1,213.9 ft) long street connecting the East Gate of the Castle with Lawford’s Gate, wide in its middle section and narrowing for the gates.
In the 15th and 16th century, the area grew in importance and became the site of almshouses and manufacture, as well as houses, inns and shops.
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. During the Parliamentarian
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
attack on Lawford’s Gate, much of West Street may have been destroyed, and buildings to the east of Lawford’s Gate may have been demolished to give the Royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
s a clear defensive line of fire. Following the Civil War much of the area was redeveloped. The Castle was demolished and with it the East Gate; Old Market Street and Castle Street became a major commercial axis. Many of the buildings erected during this period survive today.
In 1768, Lawford’s Gate was demolished, allowing the extension of the Castle Street – Old Market Street axis into West Street. Old Market became home to a widening range of trades. In Old Market Street and West Street the well-off built town houses; in the side streets leading off to either side the artisans crowded in.
By the end of the 19th century, market trading was becoming increasingly difficult due to the increase in wheeled traffic. Old Market became an important tram terminus, serving areas to the east, north-west and south of the city. By now it was also a well-established shopping street, connecting seamlessly with Castle Street.
Parts of the area were affected by slum clearance programmes in the 1930s, but it was the severance caused by the destruction of Castle Street together with the building of Temple Way Underpass (which obliterated the western end of Old Market Street) that sent the area into near-terminal decline. Some businesses relocated to Broadmead; others closed. Large parts of the area were zoned for redevelopment, and the area was severely blighted.
In the 1970s, the value of what remained started to gain recognition, and in 1979 the area was declared a Conservation Area. Since then many of its at-risk buildings have been restored, and a more sensitive approach to development has done much to improve the area.
Significant buildings
Old Market contains over 60 listed buildings, some dating from before the 17th century. Landmark buildings include the domed Methodist Central Hall (now converted to flats), Holy Trinity Church (now a music venue and studio), St Jude’s Church, St Nicolas Church, Trinity Road LibraryTrinity Road Library, Bristol
Trinity Road Library is an historic building situated on Trinity Road, St Philips, Bristol, England.It was constructed in 1896 in a Jacobethan style, to the plans of William Venn Gough, and bears an inscription with its original name, St Philips Public Library.It has been designated by English...
, the Holy Trinity Almshouses (founded by John and Isabella Barstaple in the 1402 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century), the Stag and Hounds Public House
Stag and Hounds Public House
The Stag and Hounds Public House is on Old Market Street, Old Market, Bristol.It was built originally in 1483, probably as a private house. However the current building is predominantly from the early 18th century, when it was a Public house and it has been partly rebuilt in the 1960s, and...
(once home of the Pie Poudre Court), the Palace Hotel
Palace Hotel, Bristol
The Palace Hotel is an historic public house situated on West Street, Old Market, Bristol. It is a grade II listed building. Its exterior ornamentation includes two Assyrian-style hermai.-History:...
and Gardiners Warehouse
Gardiners warehouse
The Gardiners warehouse is on Straight Street, Broad Plain, Bristol, England.It was built in 1865 by William Bruce Gingell and is an example of the Bristol Byzantine style. It was originally part of Christopher Thomas and Brothers' soap works, but is now a warehouse...
.
Other significant buildings include Kingsley Hall
Kingsley Hall, Bristol
Kingsley Hall is at 56 Old Market Street in Old Market, Bristol.It was built as a private house in 1706 and restored in the late 19th century for use as a political club and office premises...
, a Georgian house jettied over the pavement, and 7 Redcross Street, a grand Georgian house with a shell porch. However it is often the townscape that gives Old Market its importance; for example 68-71 Old Market Street where classical Georgian facades stand next to earlier gabled timber-framed houses.
Pie-Poudre Court
In NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
times a court was set up to deal summarily with thieves and debtors of the market and fair called a the Pie-Poudre Court
Court of Piepowders
A Court of Piepowders was a special tribunal in England organised by a borough on the occasion of a fair or market. These courts had unlimited jurisdiction over personal actions for events taking place in the market, including disputes between merchants, theft, and acts of violence...
(also spelt pie poudre or Piepowders). The name comes from the French, "pieds poudrés" which can be translated as "dusty feet", and was a temporary court set up for the duration of a fair or market to deal with travellers who were not resident in the town.
It was held in the open air under an ancient oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
tree, the site of which the Stag and Hounds Public House
Stag and Hounds Public House
The Stag and Hounds Public House is on Old Market Street, Old Market, Bristol.It was built originally in 1483, probably as a private house. However the current building is predominantly from the early 18th century, when it was a Public house and it has been partly rebuilt in the 1960s, and...
was built on. There is no actual record of when the court moved into the inn, where it was reputedly held in the first-floor room.
It is believed that this was the last "active" Court of Piepowders, being abolished by the Courts Act 1971
Courts Act 1971
The Courts Act 1971 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom the purpose of which was to reform and modernise the courts system of England and Wales....
. Although it had not actually met since the abolition of the fair in 1870, an annual proclamation was still read on the last day of September under the portico of the inn.
Gay Village
Old Market has been declared Bristol's Gay Village, and most of the pubs and bars on Old Market Street are gay run or LGBTLGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
-friendly. This has rejuvenated the area’s economy and made it vibrant at night, but it has also led to a proliferation of uses whose frontages are ‘dead’ during the day, reducing natural surveillance and making the area seem uninviting. There are also a number of sex shops and massage parlours in the area which can lead to an unwelcoming atmosphere.
Notable people
- Thomas LawrenceThomas LawrenceThomas Lawrence may refer to:*Sir Thomas Lawrence, British artist, President of Royal Academy*Thomas Lawrence , mayor of colonial Philadelphia*T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia"*Thomas Lawrence , U.S. politician...
was born in Redcross Street. - Edward William GodwinEdward William GodwinEdward William Godwin was a progressive English architect-designer, who began his career working in the strongly polychromatic "Ruskinian Gothic" style of mid-Victorian Britain, inspired by The Stones of Venice, then moved on to provide designs in the "Anglo-Japanese taste" of the Aesthetic...
was born in Old Market Street. - Horace BatchelorHorace BatchelorHorace Cyril Batchelor was famous in the UK during the late 1950s and early 1960s as an advertiser on Radio Luxembourg. He advertised a way to win money by predicting the results of football matches, sponsoring programmes on Radio Luxembourg...
had his office in the Old Market. - Cary GrantCary GrantArchibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
worked as a lime-lighter at the Empire Theatre. - Amelia DyerAmelia DyerAmelia Elizabeth Dyer née Hobley was the most prolific baby farm murderer of Victorian England. She was tried and hanged for one murder, but there is little doubt she was responsible for many more similar deaths—possibly 400 or more—over a period of perhaps twenty years.-Background:Unlike many of...
, serial killer, lived in Trinity Street around 1861. In the same street another crime was committed in 1835.