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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
David Morton

Remember this place? How Newcastle's Green Market finally shut up shop

One of Newcastle's many historic markets, the Green Market existed at several locations in the same locale for around 400 years.

Its last major incarnation, as part of Eldon Square shopping centre, closed its doors 15 years ago - on this day in 2007.

Many will remember the indoor market - its shops, its stalls, and its central escalators taking you up and down between two levels.

READ MORE: The story of Northumberland's Delaval family and Seaton Delaval Hall

If the city's old 'Green Markets' had dealt exclusively in fruit and vegetables, the new Eldon Square version had a broader remit.

When it opened in March 1976, the Chronicle reported how you would also find "bakers, shoe shops, sweet shops, carpet shops" and numerous other stores.

Mrs Margaret Collins, a former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, and chairman of the Land and Property Committee which looked after the city's markets, explained: "The new Green Market stands on the site of the old wholesale Green Market that moved to Gateshead.

"At first there were objections because it was felt the title might be misleading, but the committee and myself were determined to retain the old name because it is part of the tradition of Newcastle."

In addition to displays of fruit, vegetables and flowers, there would be around 35 miscellaneous shops, five kiosks, and 20 market stalls.

Operating on two levels, there were central escalators, a main stairway, and a glass roof reminiscent of the Grainger Market's.

In the event, the Green Market would trade for just over 30 years, shutting up shop for good on January 26, 2007.

The Chronicle reported: "As the last stallholders boxed up their stock and the final few customers disappeared, the once bustling Green Market was left looking lonely and desolate as it closed its doors forever.

"The market is to be demolished to make way for a £170m redevelopment at the southern end of Eldon Square shopping centre."

Bags Of Bags, one of the many outlets at the Green Market in Newcastle's Eldon Square shopping centre, 2006 (Newcastle Chronicle)

It was an emotional day for market traders who had until 6pm to leave the building where they had been making a living since 1976.

One trader told us: "The council claims the public would rather have six big shops than 68 specialist traders, which is absolute rubbish.

“A lot of people came into the market to say how sorry they were about the closure and the support from the public has been wonderful.”

Traders were originally told a new Green Market would be created in the revamped Eldon Square, but in July 2008 the council decided that would prove too costly.

They moved instead into units at the centre’s High Friars on a temporary basis, but this arrangement came to an end in 2011, with some of the traders then transferring to the Grainger Market.

It was, at last, farewell to the Green Market.

For more Chronicle nostalgia, including archive pictures and local history stories, click here to sign up to our free newsletter.

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