The Covered Market
Oxford’s Covered Market was officially opened on 1 November 1774 and is still going strong today.
Originally its width corresponded to the elegant and balanced frontage of the houses (now shops) at 13, 14, 15, and 16 High Street, which were rebuilt in 1774.
In 1838 the market extended westwards to occupy the space behind Nos. 10, 11, and 12 High Street on the far left of this photograph.
All six shops now fronting the market are listed ref. 1485/310).
The Universal Business Directory of 1794 has this description of the market:
The old shambles in Butcher Row [Queen Street] are likewise taken away, and a new general market, upon an extensive scale, is erected between the High-street and Jesus College Lane; which market is universally allowed to exceed every thing of the kind in this kingdom. At the south entrance from the High-street it contains forty commodious shops for butchers. North of these are eight others equally commodious, occupied by gardeners, &c. between which are two spacious colonnades for poultry, eggs, bacon, cheese, &c. &c. divided into forty stalls; and beyond these, extending quite to Jesus College Lane, is a large area for country gardeners, fruit, and divers other commodities. There are likewise three avenues running through in direct lines, intersected by another in the middle, affording a free currency of air; and in the front, four elegant and commodious houses have been erected, which give an additional ornament to one of the finest streets in Europe. The open part of this market, fronting Jesus College, is inclosed by an iron pallisade; and the avenues opening upon the New Parade in the High-street are secured by iron gates. The whole extent of the ground appropriated to the purpose of erecting this market, is from north to south three hundred and forty-seven feet, and from east to west one hundred and twelve.
The layout of the original part of the market, described above, is very similar today. The original three avenues, each with its own entrance from the High (one at each end and one in the middle) still exist today as Market Avenues 2, 3, and 4. (The present Market Avenue 1 is a newer entrance, leading to the extension created in 1838.)
Oxford Market, Christmas 2002
The market in c.1903, painted by William Matthison