"There's so much to see": People encouraged to visit Halifax Borough Market on 130th anniversary

The Borough Market will celebrate the milestone birthday on Saturday (July 25), and a host of events and activities are planned to mark the day.

These will include live choir and brass band performances, a record fair, history tours, food tours, and workshops.

Chris Harris DL, of Halifax Heritage Tours, explained what makes the market special, and why it is important to celebrate the building.

Chris said: “This building is so precious and so valuable in Halifax because it’s a thoroughfare, you can get anything you want in the market — from a birthday card to a pair of socks, curtains, food, produce — and behind me is now the exposed clock, this beautiful clock.

“The Leeming brothers, who were the architects for this market, went on to do Leeds market.

“There is a clock in Leeds market — but it’s not as big as ours and it’s not as beautiful as ours.”

The structure of the building is a particularly interesting aspect, Chris said, with houses built above the market.

Historically, shop keepers would have lived in them above their shop, and nowadays, visitors can go up and look around on bookable Streets in the Sky tours.

Chris urged visitors to visit the market during its anniversary, to appreciate the building and take part in the events.

“There’s so much to see in this market.

“Come on down people, people of Halifax, treasure what you’ve got on your doorstep, all in quite a small walking area.

“This is Halifax, and it’s magic,” she said.

Calderdale Markets Manager John Walker said there is a long history of markets in Halifax, and said the Borough Market is still a thriving asset to the town.

John said: “Markets have been central to human society for thousands of years, serving as places for trade, social interaction, and civic discussion.

“The concept of a market dates back to ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and biblical lands.”

He added: “Today, Halifax Borough Market still remains a thriving commercial and community asset, generating significant income and continuing a trading tradition that stretches back many centuries.

“It stands as both a functioning marketplace and one of Calderdale’s most important historic buildings, which attracts in the region of 3 million people through its entrances each year.”

Evidence suggests markets existed in Halifax in medieval times, although the exact origins of Halifax Market are unknown.

Halifax’s original market stood near to what is now Corn Market.

In 1790, the original market was replaced by the new market, located between Market Street and Southgate.

In the 40 years between 1851 to 1891, Halifax’s population increased from around 33,500 residents to 82,800, and the existing market facilities became inadequate.

Plans were made for a larger and more prestigious market, and in 1891, architects and Halifax brothers Joseph and John Leeming won a design competition for the new market.

Construction began in 1891, and it opened on July 25, 1896 by the Duke and Duchess of York – later King George V and Queen Mary.

The building featured a covered retail market hall, a fish market, arcades and shops, residential accommodation over shops, offices and living quarters for the market inspector, grand entrances and extensive retail frontage.

The structure remains largely unchanged and is now a grade II* listed building due to its architectural and historical importance.

Sympathetic restoration work has taken place in recent years, however, after Calderdale Council secured Future High Streets funding at the turn of the pandemic.

This included 16 packages of work, ranging from new glazing and insulation, new toilet facilities, restoration of the clock tower and the development of Albany Arcade, to the removal of the last remaining swing doors and restoration to external properties.