Romford Market

Having referred to David Eldridge's play Market Boy in my previous post, I really couldn't continue without mentioning the market itself.

There has been a market in Romford for over 750 years, having been established on the orders of King Henry III in 1247.

The Market Place developed along both sides of the main road to London, and was only closed to through traffic in 1969 with the construction of St. Edward's Way.

Over the centuries Romford grew into 'a great market town for corn and cattle', as well as selling pigs, sheep, farm tools, clothing, fruit and vegetables. The cattle trade declined after the Second World War, and the cattle market was closed in in 1958.

There is now a market every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, selling mainly food, clothing and household goods, as well as a farmers' market, held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

I visit the farmers' market when I can, but must admit to using the main market only occasionally. Nonetheless, I am very glad that it exists, not simply as the continuation of a centuries old tradition, but because it provides an atmosphere and experience that is completely different from the usual high street and shopping centre.

Perhaps more than anything else, Romford's market made the town what it is; and in many ways, it continues to do so today.