Aromas of exotic spices filled the air. Goodge Place Market bustled with life. This wasn’t just any market. This was a slice of London history.
Goodge Place Market first opened its doors in 1850. It wasn’t always here though. Its original location was Charles Street. That street is now part of Goodge Street. The market’s name honours Francis and William Goodge. These brothers developed Goodge Street as a shopping hub back in 1766. Their legacy lives on in this vibrant market.
For years street markets like Goodge Place Market thrived. They allowed London to expand rapidly. Traders could move freely to new neighbourhoods. People could buy provisions without travelling to central wholesale markets. Early morning was a flurry of activity. Traders would collect goods from wholesale markets. They would clean and sort them before selling them in the streets. These markets often grew into today’s high streets.
The Metropolitan Streets Act of 1867 aimed to stop this. Public outcry and press criticism however forced amendments. Street trading survived but under police regulation.
Walford’s 1878 account described the market. It was bustling on Friday and Saturday evenings. Payday meant many shoppers. He considered it one of the West End’s last remaining street markets. He doubted its survival. It did survive thanks to the area’s working-class population. This area was different from its wealthy neighbours. It had more in common with northern districts.
In 1927 the London County Council took over regulation. The Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras managed the market until 1965. That year St Pancras merged with Camden. By 1983 the market had moved to its current location at Goodge Place.
Perlmutter noted the market in 1983. He found it a small Monday-to-Saturday affair. It seemed out of place among the international goods available in the area. In the 2000s the market changed. It became a popular spot for international street food. It attracted lunch crowds Monday to Friday.
Today Goodge Place Market continues its tradition. It offers a delicious and affordable lunch option for nearby workers and residents. It’s a small piece of history a testament to London’s adaptable spirit and its ever-evolving food scene. Come on let’s explore further.