Ever wonder what Oxford was like before the Covered Market? In 1774, just before Christmas, the Covered Market officially opened its doors. It was created to bring order to Oxford’s streets. The Oxford Improvement Act of 1771 led to its creation.
The Covered Market was designed to clear the untidy stalls. Messy and unsavoury stalls were removed from the streets. Food traders were gathered into one covered marketplace. Imagine the bustle of vendors all in one spot.
Oxford’s Covered Market has transformed over time. It evolved from a place for everyday essentials. Now, it is a thriving shopping and food destination. Traders and trades have changed reflecting the city’s evolution. The Covered Market shows changes in the town and gown.
Malcolm Graham, a local historian, has studied the market. His interest goes back over 50 years. He says that attitudes toward the market have changed over 250 years. In the 18th century, it was considered exceptional. Today, it’s a heritage asset for residents and visitors. After World War II, there were even threats to move it.
John Gwynn, architect of Magdalen Bridge, designed the High Street front. It features four entrances. In 1772, the market committee accepted a bid. Nine hundred sixteen pounds and ten shillings would build twenty butcher shops. Twenty more shops soon followed. After 1773, meat could only be sold inside the market. The Covered Market grew to include garden produce and fish.
Today, the Covered Market has numerous traders. About half are food retailers. You can find greengrocers and butchers here. Some butchers even produce the famous Oxford sausage. There are also gift shops, bakeries and sandwich shops. Many shops are larger than the original stalls. So there are fewer businesses in the Covered Market now.
You can enter the Covered Market from High Street or Market Street. There are four entrances on each street. Golden Cross alley from Cornmarket also provides access.
Oxford City Council owns the Covered Market. In 2017, they invested £1.6 million in the building. They repaired the roof and improved public conveniences. They also upgraded external paving and signage.
In May 2017, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited. The Covered Market received the Royal seal of approval.
The Covered Market offers a one-stop shop. You can find food, drinks and gifts here. There is also fashion, flowers and jewellery. It is far from a typical shopping experience. The Covered Market offers places to eat and relax too. You can soak in the unique market atmosphere.
Many businesses are family-owned passed down through generations. The Covered Market also supports new ventures. You can find traditional Oxford fare here. Or you can try something a bit out of the ordinary. The traders offer personal customer service.
The Covered Market opens into the evenings Thursday to Saturday. You can shop, listen to live music or enjoy some comedy.
The Covered Market is proud of its cultural diversity. You can find English fry-ups. There are also cuisines and products from around the world.
Recent restoration work has uncovered original features. These include stone floors and iron trelliswork.
The Covered Market is looking to the future. It welcomed six new businesses. It is opening until 11 pm on Thursdays to Saturdays. This ensures that the market thrives for years to come.
The Covered Market specializes in local independent businesses. Using local produce and minimal packaging is a long-standing quality. The Covered Market values sustainability.