Old Livestock Market

Records of a livestock market in Market Harborough date back to the beginning of the 13th century. In those early days, market day was originally held on a Monday, but by the end of the 1220's, was changed to Tuesdays.
Early photographs taken in the later part of the 19th century show that sheep and cattle were held in holding stalls in The Square and parts of the High Street. By the 1900's, there was much concern over the hygiene of the system, and by 1903, livestock markets were moved to a site off Springfield Street, leaving the retail stalls on The Square.
During the First World War, part of this new site off Springfield Street was used by the army as a Remount Depot, then in later years, up until it's closure in 1993, it's main use was as a Lorry Park.

The picture above shows the auction ring three of four years before before the market moved to it's new site North-east of the town. In the background, it's just possible to make out the Settling rooms building at the top left of the picture.
Below shows the maze of holding stalls, looking across towards the NFU building and market cottage.

Pictures courtesy of Mark Bingley: circa 1989 approx.