STREET MARKETS

Bermondsey Market

In 1851 the City Corporation started to redevelop Smithfield Market. The mart s livestock section was moved to Copenhagen Fields in Islington in 1855. There, on the days when cattle were not being sold, a general market operated on the site. This became known as the Caledonian Market because of its proximity to the adjacent Caledonian Road. It became increasingly focused upon second-hand goods and antiques.

During the Second World War both markets were closed down. Following the return of peace, the market authorities permitted only the live cattle one to resume trading on the site. Many of the antiques dealers moved to Bermondsey Street in Bermondsey, where the New Caledonian Market took place in. Others of their number migrated to Portobello Road.

Location: 11 Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN. The market took/takes place on Friday mornings.

Caledonian Market, Market Road, N7 9PW

Website: https://bermondseysquare.net/bermondsey-antiques-market

Berwick Street Market

Berwick Street Market is a Soho street market that takes place six days a week.

Location: Berwick Street, W1F 0PH (red, turquoise)

Brixton Station Road Market

Location: Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PD

Website: https://brixtonmarket.net https://brixtonvillage.com

Costermongers

See Also: SMALL ITEMS Handkerchiefs

Pearly Kings & Queens

Pearly kings and queens are one of the archetypes of Cockney London. The monarchs wear black clothes that have thousands of pearl buttons sewn onto them. These are known as smother suits . Ones that have fewer buttons and more patterns are known as skeleton suits . The symbols upon the suits have particular meanings.

The tradition of Pearly Kings & Queens was created in 1875 by Henry Croft. He had been raised in the Chalton Street orphanage in Somers Town. At the age of thirteen he left it to work as a road sweeper in Somers Town street market. He became friendly with the costermongers who had stalls there. Master Croft wished to help people who were facing adversity. He appreciated that he needed a means of catching people s attention. He started to collect the pearl buttons that he frequently swept up in the street. These he sewed onto a cap. Eventually, he had enough to cover a suit and wore this while collecting money for charitable purposes. Attired in it, he made visits to hospitals, orphanages, and workhouses. He soon found that there were more calls upon his time than he could fulfil. Therefore, he turned to the costermongers. They responded to his call for help and, in order to do so, made their own fitting attire. London was divided into a series of separate kingdoms; as the city spread outwards so new domains were created. Mr Croft s funeral in 1930 was attended by several hundred pearly kings and queens. His descendants still bear the title of Somers Town .

People become pearly monarchs either through blood or marriage. Their buttons are real pearl buttons. Old suits are cannibalised.

Location: Chalton Street, NW1 1JH (blue, brown)

St Martins-in-the-Fields, 6 St Martin s Place, WC2N 4JH. The church contains a statue of Mr Croft. (red, turquoise)

Website: http://thepearlies.org.uk https://pearlysociety.co.uk

East End Street Markets

The East End s street markets, being outside of the City wall, were not subject to either the Corporation or the guilds

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane Market takes place in streets off Brick Lane. It grew up during the 18^thC.

Location: Brick Lane, E1 6RF. Brick Lane is known as Osborn Street in its southernmost portion. (purple, yellow) (purple, red)

Broadway Market

Broadway Market is a street market that by the end of 20^thC had long been in decline. However, at the start of the 21^stC it revived and became vibrant. In part, this was a side-effect of Shoreditch and the East End having become more fashionable and more affluent. The shops along the road are a mix of businesses that supply goods to the area s traditional inhabitants and to its incomers and visitors.

Location: Broadway Market, London Fields, E8 4PH

Website: https://broadwaymarket.co.uk

Petticoat Lane Market

Petticoat Lane Market takes place in Middlesex Street (formerly Petticoat Lane) on Sunday mornings. During the 16^thC the market started its association with cloth and clothing. There is a story that its name derived from the traders being able to steal a woman s petticoat from her as she entered the street and then to sell the garment back to her in the centre without her even knowing that she had had it taken from her.

In 1870 the road s name was changed to Middlesex Street; this is reputed to have been part of an attempt by the local authority to undermine the market. However, the name Petticoat Lane has continued to be used in general parlance. In 1936 an Act of Parliament formally legalised Sunday trading in Petticoat Lane.

The side streets have individual specialisations. Many of the market traders pride themselves upon their spiel. The silent stallholders are referred to by the patter merchants as lurkers .

Location: Middlesex Street, E1 7JF (orange, red)

Farmers' Markets

See Also: FOOD MARKETS

London Farmers' Markets

Nina Plank, an American, came across farmers markets while she was visiting California. She established London s first one in Islington. The district proved to be receptive to them. They soon spread across the metropolis.

Website: www.lfm.org.uk

Whitecross Street Market

Whitecross Street Market is held each weekday. The first reference to it dates from the 17^thC.

In the early 21^stC a large number of stalls supplied lunchtime food for people who worked in the City of London, which was located to the south of the street.

Location: Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8JL (purple, orange)

Website: https://bitecross.co.uk

David Backhouse 2024