Barnstaple Pannier Market and Butchers Row
Barnstaple is a market town where traders once came to sell their produce and the produce market once stretched the length of the main street, but in 1852 an act of Parliament was passing requiring a site to be provided for all market traders.
Butchers Row Barnstaple
The vegetable market, as it was originally called, was designed by R D Gould and the market building running from the Guildhall to Boutport Street was opened on 2nd November 1855. The market soon became known as the pannier market due to the farmer's wives and daughters bringing their produce of vegetables and dairy products in large baskets known and panniers.
Butchers Row, built at the same time as the market consists of 33 shops with pallasters of bath stone and wrought iron supports to an overhanging roof, all face north which kept everything cool.
Barnstaple Pannier Market
All the shops continue to sell some form of agricultural goods, such as bakers, delicatessens, fishmongers, butchers and florists.
After the completion of the Guildhall in 1827, the Borough Council undertook a major redevelopment of the area behind it. The proposals included the construction of a Pannier Market to replace the existing vegetable market and the formation of a new road, "Butchers Row", linking the High Street with Boutport Street.
On one side of the road would be the Pannier Market and on the other would have 33 Butchers' Shops. The scheme, which was completed in 1855, was designed by R. D. Gould, the Borough Surveyor, who was also responsible for the design of the Albert Clock, Bridge Buildings and Bridge Chambers.
Before the Pannier Market was built, those with produce or goods to sell would bring them to Barnstaple in baskets or panniers and line the side of the High Street between Cross Street and lower Boutport Street. The construction of the Market eased congestion that this practice caused, yet maintained the tradition of people selling excess produce whilst providing a purpose built market hall to protect the buyers and sellers from the worst of the elements.
Today, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays of each week, the Pannier Market is full of stalls which display a great range of goods. It is a thriving market with a good atmosphere which is well worth a visit. The unique row of butchers' shops still exists, although fish and vegetable shops and a delicatessen have replaced some of the butchers' businesses.
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