In pictures: Swansea market through the centuries
- Published
As a new BBC Wales series follows present-day Swansea market we look back on its colourful history, which spans centuries. The first purpose-built market building was known as Market House and erected in 1774. It was a low roofed, one floored building supported by pillars and had no outer walls. (Archive images and information courtesy of West Glamorgan Archive Service).
The new market was opened in September 1830. It was much larger and boasted entrances on Oxford Street, Union Street and Orange Street. Apart from the pent roof along the wall with the chimneys, the market was open to the elements. The population of Swansea was forever increasing and the town's damp climate was taking its toll on the market. By late Victorian times, improvements were urgently needed.
By the 1890s Swansea had flourished into a grand Victorian town. On 22 June 1897 (the same day as Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee) a brand new red brick-fronted market was opened to the public by the mayor. It covered the same two-acre site as its predecessor, but had a grand façade built around the Oxford Street entrance with two 60ft high towers. This time a roof covered the whole market, and was, at the time, the largest structure of glass and wrought ironwork in the UK. In December 1897 electricity was introduced to the market. The market housed 597 stalls by the end of the 1920s.
The heavy and sustained bombing by the Luftwaffe in February 1941 destroyed central Swansea, including the market. The external walls remained, but the roof and interior were completely destroyed, leaving the iron structure in ruins. The market would have to be replaced along with the majority of the town centre. A temporary market was set up on the upper floors of the bus garage in Singleton Street. The market stalls were reinstated in Oxford Street in October 1941 where it remained as an open-air market through the 1940s and 1950s.
The current market was opened on 18 May 1961. It was designed by Sir Percy Thomas and Son. The £1.25 million building represented optimism in the next phase of Swansea and its market history. As the doors opened, the invited assembly that represented all walks of life were entertained by a brass band. To mark the occasion, Gower traders were present in full Welsh costume, and veteran trader Mrs Margaret Phillips of Llanmorlais (who was 84 years old and still trading) presented flowers to the Mayoress.
The layout of the stalls in the new building was intended to lead shoppers around the market, making the most of the large open-plan structure to surround buyers.
Swansea market in the 1970s. The building has changed very little over fifty years. The pendant lampshades are still intact and the iconic clock is in working order.
Swansea market today. Swansea Market is on BBC One Wales on Friday nights at 19:30 BST from 10 May and will be available on iPlayer.