CHECKPOINT 15
Market Hall
Market Hall
The market hall building you see today was built in 1853, and was once a bustling part of town.
Before this building existed, markets took place all over Scarborough on different days, e.g. Thursday’s markets were held in the Newborough and Barr Street areas (the pedestrianised area of the town centre), and Saturday’s markets were held in Princess Street. Having a purpose built building became more convenient for Scarborough locals, and in the 1890s an Order of the Home Secretary banished all street markets with one exception - a Corn Market continued in King Street right up until the 1950s.
The market hall received a £2.7 million revamp in 2016, its worth having a peek inside at the independent traders and stalls.
the vaults
Situated underneath the market’s main hall, The Vaults are well known for containing many local independent businesses, handmade and craft stalls as well as antiques and collectibles.
Previously a Bonded (or Customs) Warehouse in Victorian times, The Vaults were built for storing goods before taxes and duty had been paid. Even with heavy security, it was often the target of raiders and robbers out to make a quick buck.
Scarborough fair
Probably the most famous market in the country, Scarborough Fair was initiated by the Crown - through a Royal Charter by King Henry III in 1253.
The fair lasted 45 days throughout August and September, the longest in the country - showing the importance of the town as a trade centre. Merchants from all over Europe came to Scarborough to sell their wares, it was a real spectacle - jugglers, street performers, and packed streets with people buying and selling everything you could imagine. The fair ran until 1788, but with a little help from Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s, it has been captured in history forever.
In 2023, the Council announced the fair will return for the first time in over 200 years! So watch out for the reinvention of Scarborough Fair in the next few years. More info is available on their website: scarboroughfair.uk
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