Newcastle's Grainger Market still just as popular
Oct 23 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
IT has survived two world wars, depressions and recessions and plays a crucial role in Newcastle’s city centre. Environment Editor Tony Henderson visits Tyneside’s bustling Grainger Market to mark a very special occasion.
IT was 175 years ago this weekend that 2,000 male guests seated themselves in Newcastle’s Grainger Market.
They were there for a grand dinner to celebrate the opening of developer Richard Grainger’s latest major enterprise.
The covered market, designed by John Dobson, extended over more than two acres and was the wonder of its time.
Also present were 300 ladies who were accommodated separately on a specially constructed balcony, and all dined beneath the new gas lighting to an orchestral accompaniment.
The Journal was there too and – given that the market included an astonishing 180 butcher’s shops – the paper did not mince its words.
It marvelled at the butchers’ market with its 360 windows and four aisles of 338ft in length, the poultry market, and the vegetable market and its Kenton stone fountains and cathedral-style roof supported by 30 cast iron pillars.
“These markets are the most wonderful in the world,” was The Journal’s verdict.
Many visitors “expressed their admiration and astonishment at the beauty of the architecture and the extent of the design”.
Today, the market is a bustling, Grade I-listed heritage jewel which still plays a crucial role in Newcastle’s city centre.
Raymond Morris, who is chairman of the Grainger Market and Arcade Traders Association, said: “The market is a very special place which has survived world wars, depressions and recessions.”
The fact that Raymond’s business, The Jewel Box, has been in the market for 67 years sums up the distinctive character of the place in a retail world of modern shopping malls.
The feeling is that it complements but does not compete with the neighbouring Eldon Square shopping centre.
The market is home to more than 100 small businesses and according to Raymond the majority are family owned.
