Fruit and vegetables, many of them locally grown
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
The town of St Helier slowly grew up along the seashore, with the hill (Le Mont de la Ville, where Fort Regent now stands) behind it. The early markets would have been near the seafront, before moving to the Royal Square late in the 1500s. They were closely related to fishing and agriculture, which were so essential to island life.
The Royal Square would have been a busy place, next to the town church. It was the bell of the town church which signalled the opening of the market, among many other uses it had. Prisoners awaiting trial would be kept waiting in a cage in a corner of the Square. Any official proclamations would also be made there.
In 1803 the first formal market place was established on the site of the present general market. It was funded by the proceeds of seven lotteries. It consisted of a general market, with the fish market close by.
The cattle market relocated from the harbour to behind Beresford Street (hence the name Cattle Street). Everyone who had a market stall had to pay sixpence a day to the Inspector. There were about 40 stalls selling fruit and vegetables, flowers, poultry and meat.
In 1841 the fish market moved to its new home in Cattle Street, and the cattle market moved to Minden Place (on the site of the present car park).
In 1883 the present Central Market buildings were opened. The design was chosen in an architectural competition and the building took more than two years to complete. It covered a huge area, with seven gated entrances and 37 cast iron pillars to support the octagonal roof. The roof was originally covered by 80 tons of glass. The details of the building are important, both in the ironwork supporting the roof, and in the strength of the façade repeated along both main streets.
Detail of the roof
The central fountain in the general market is built in three tiers with water cascading into a pool. It was designed by Abraham Viel, and is one of three identical fountains built by John Dyson in Yorkshire. One of these can be found in Shropshire, at Ironbridge; the other was lost at sea on its way to Australia. In severe winters the fountain freezes. Many people like to throw coins into the pool, perhaps making a wish as they do so, and certainly benefiting local charities.
St Aubin had its own market, reflecting the fact that the harbour there was the Island’s chief harbour until the harbour at St Helier was extended in Victorian times (see St Helier harbour). The market at St Aubin dates back to at least 1584, and a new building was opened in 1826. This building is located almost opposite the parish hall, and is now the NatWest bank. The road beside it is known as Market Hill.