Fleetwood Market, situated between Adelaide Street and Victoria Street in Fleetwood, Lancashire, is a historic Victorian market hall established in 1840, making it one of the oldest surviving markets in the county. Its origins trace back to a royal market charter granted in 1235 by King Henry III to the manor of Rossall, which encompassed the land where Fleetwood now stands. However, it was not until over six centuries later that Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood, founder of the town, and his wife Lady Hesketh, formally established the market as part of their vision for the new port town.
The original market building was a wooden structure with a slate roof, hosting local farmers selling produce alongside textile traders from Manchester. By 1868, cattle and livestock sales were taking place on-site, reflecting the town’s growing commercial importance. In 1875, ownership passed to the Fleetwood Estate Company, and in 1890, Fleetwood Local Government Board acquired it, adding an open market area. The main hall was rebuilt in 1892 to accommodate the expanding number of traders and visitors.
In more recent times, the market has evolved while retaining its heritage charm. It was extended in 1990 and underwent major refurbishment between 2000 and 2024 at a cost of £3.2 million, part-funded by the High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme through Historic England. In 2024, Fleetwood Civic Society installed a blue plaque beside the Adelaide Street entrance to commemorate the market’s long and “marvellous heritage.”
Today, Fleetwood Market remains a central feature of the town, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor stalls with a variety of goods from food and crafts to clothing and antiques. It continues to host a monthly farmers’ market, upholding a trading tradition that has endured for nearly two centuries.
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