Historic indoor market celebrates 250 years

The Covered Market has expanded from a meat market to include a variety of traders

A historic indoor market is celebrating 250 years of continuous trade.

Oxford's Covered Market opened in 1774 and has expanded from a meat market to include a variety of traders, cafes, eateries, and non-food outlets.

A party later will include music from throughout the ages in the market square, and actors in period dress acting scenes of market life.

Alex Hollingsworth, the cabinet member overseeing the market, said it would be "for everyone to come together and celebrate all the amazing people and moments that make the market so special".

The market's origins date back to 1771, when the Oxford Improvement Act was passed proposing a covered city market to bring disparate street traders under one roof and improve public health.

The architect for Magdalen Bridge, John Gwynn, was appointed, and a new market complete with timber stalls was built.

It was expanded into its current form in the 1840s, and the Market Street entrances were also added.

Proposals to knock it down and move it after World War Two never came to pass, and the historic building still survives intact.

The market is celebrating 250 years of continuous trade

The market was Grade-II listed in 2000, but the 21st Century also saw it come under criticism for becoming "dark and dated" and not receiving enough investment, leading to a downfall in trade.

But last year the council announced a £6.87m refurbishment project in order to encourage visitors to spend more time there.

Mr Hollingsworth told the BBC: "It’s always a challenge, it’s a historic building.

"Just the maintenance and upkeep. The bill for redoing the electricity’s been a bit eye-watering. That continual need to invest in the fabric.

"But it’s also about change. The council has a masterplan which it’s bringing forward.

"You can see the first stages of that – the new seating areas outside in Market Street – and I think we’ll see the basis for another 100-200, maybe even 250 years more of this market."

The historic site was Grade-II listed in 2000

Sarah Jordan, who owns the Y.O.U Underwear shop at the market, said: "I grew up in Oxford, I was born here, and when I was at school it was the place to come.

"When we got the opportunity to have our own shop here it was like, ‘that’s amazing, to be right in the heart, and somewhere that’s got such a history and story'.

"Because everybody’s small businesses, local businesses, a lot have been here for decades, and it’s just nice to be part of that."

The special evening event also includes an interactive trail for the public, a prize for historic fancy dress, and a photo booth area set in a period style.

Tickets are free but currently sold out.