5 things you didn't know about Freeman Street Market.

1. The Market is nearly 150 years old.

The market first opened back in 1873, back at this time it was an outdoor market that was loved by its locals and the roof wasn’t added until 1959. This means that in 2023 the market will be celebrating its 150-year anniversary! Which is called a sesquicentennial anniversary, meaning one and a half centuries.

2. ‘The Courtyard’

One area of our market that people tend to not know much about is our courtyard. The Courtyard was built in 2010 and has hosted a range of businesses over the years. In the present day the courtyard hosts the amazing Courtyard Café, serving tasty homemade meals. They sell everything from lasagne to full English breakfast along with fresh teas and coffee. The courtyard also hosts the Courtyard Barbers, Beadelightful, Better off Jazzy, B.Impressed, Custom Funky and East Marsh United.

3. The Markets £2.4 million redevelopment.

In 2010 the market underwent a drastic £2.4 million redevelopment which involved all new stalls being built ensuring new and wider isles with some stalls being custom built for existing traders. The building process took place on non-market days and overnight, some days, to ensure that traders didn’t miss out on key trading hours and this dedication of the market team and builders was greatly praised. The redevelopment also involved the building of the business hub in 2014.

4. The ‘oneZone’

Another area of the market that customers enquire about is our ‘oneZone’. This was built in 2018 for the purpose of having a space to host a range of different events/activities. So far it has hosted art exhibitions, children’s clubs, arts & crafts events, local musicians, poetry reading and lots more.

5. Nomination for the Great British High Street Awards.

In 2019 Freeman Street Market were nominated for The Great British High Street Awards. At first the market was put into the category for the ‘Rising Star Award’ and after being viewed by the judges the market was moved into the ‘Champion Award’ category, and overall placed in the top 3, in England, out of 250 entries.