Imagine being transported back to 1882. That was the year Upper Campfield Market Hall was established. It was later restored in 1885. Today, we stand before Upper Campfield Market Hall. It is a building with a rich past and a promising future.
Upper Campfield Market Hall is located a short distance east of its sibling. Its sibling is the Air & Space Gallery. The Air & Space Gallery is part of the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry. It was formerly known as Lower Campfield Market. Both Upper and Lower Campfield Market were built on either side of St Matthew’s Church. Sadly, the church was demolished in 1951.
Initially, Upper Campfield Market Hall served as a cheese and vegetable market. Lower Campfield Market was intended as an open-sided market hall. It was completed in 1878. However, Lower Campfield Market quickly transitioned to hosting travelling exhibitions. One such exhibition was the Smoke Abatement Exhibition in 1882. Upper Campfield Market Hall retained its original purpose a bit longer.
Lower Campfield Market ceased operating as a market in 1900. Walls were added. It became a more suitable exhibition space. In 1909, it was transformed into the City Exhibition Hall. An advertisement boasted that it was the largest, best-lit, and most well-equipped building in the kingdom.
During World War I, Lower Campfield Market served as an indoor military parading ground. Women workers also used the hall to test fuzes for explosive shells. After the war, it trained soldiers and sailors in new occupations. Between the World Wars, Manchester’s textile, engineering, and commercial industries used the hall for displays. During World War II, women tested barrage balloons inside Lower Campfield Market due to its size.
After renovations, Lower Campfield Market reopened as City Exhibition Hall in 1947. It hosted popular public exhibitions like Brighter Homes and Ideal Homes. It became a go-to destination for modern lifestyle exhibitions. Generations of Mancunians enjoyed glimpses of imagined homes of the future.
In 1974, Lower Campfield Market received Grade II listed building status. But it fell into disrepair. A fire in 1977 damaged the east end of the building. Manchester City Council considered demolition. Instead, they restored it to house the Manchester Air & Space Museum.
The Manchester Air & Space Museum opened in 1983. Its purpose was to showcase Manchester’s role in aviation. Sixteen full-size aircraft were brought into the building. Star exhibits included an Avro Avian IIIA and an Avro Shackleton. In 1985, it became the Air and Space Hall gallery of the Science and Industry Museum.
The Science Museum Group took stewardship of the building in 2012. The Air and Space Hall closed in 2021. Manchester City Council is now working to introduce new activities into the building.
Upper Campfield Market Hall has been used for exhibitions and museum storage. In 2017, Design Manchester hosted Design City Weekender within the space.
Manchester City Council has partnered with Allied London to refurbish both Upper and Lower Campfield Markets. The goal is to create a tech, media, and creative industries hub. This initiative will create jobs and support Manchester’s economic recovery.
Upper Campfield Market Hall stands as a testament to Manchester’s past. It is a symbol of innovation and creativity. It is ready to play a dynamic part in Manchester’s future.