Stockport

Stockport is famous for many different things. It was the centre of the country's hatting industry (at one time exporting more than six million hats a year). The Stockport railway viaduct is one of the largest remaining brick constructions in Western Europe. Eleven million bricks were used in its construction - if laid end to end they would stretch 1,500 miles!

The Stockport air disaster in 1967 resulted in the deaths of 72 passengers. In the early 70's I song Berlioz's "Te Deum" in Stockport Town Hall which is now referred to in our house as the Stockport music disaster!

I went to the tourist information centre in Stockport and was delighted to find 3 leaflets labelled "A taste of Stockport". Unfortunately they weren't about gastronomic delights, the leaflet on shopping listed Asda and Sainsburys! However another one did cover a very good reason for visting Stockport, - the historic market.
The market stalls are housed in a Victorian Covered Market Hall, a Speciality Produce Hall and also outside on the street.

The Victorian Covered Market Hall was constructed of timber, glass and iron along the lines of the famous Crystal Palace in London.

It was called the “glass umbrella on stilts” and was originally open to the elements until 1898 when Ephraim Marks (founder of the Marks & Spencer store chain) petitioned to enclose his stall! It's currently being refurbished, so some parts were closed when I called.

Just by the Victorian Covered Market Hall in the Market Place is Staircase House (a Grade II listed medieval town house) which houses two museums and the tourist information centre.

The Market Place is rumoured to be the location of the last wife sale in England. A grinder named Calton sold his wife publicly in the market place, Stockport. She was purchased by a shop-mate of the husband for a gallon of beer. The fair one, who had a halter round her neck, seemed quite agreeable! See here for my source of that story.

The Yorkshire stone Farm Produce Hall (or Hen Market), was built in 1851. It's a fine building, with neo-classical columns.

Inside you can find a baker selling oven bottom baps, a butcher, a deli and cakes for all occasions.














Stockport Market is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Web: http://www.stockport.gov.uk/aboutstockport/visitors/shopping/towncentre/markets