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Spotlight on the Covered Market
The Covered Market began in 1774 as a market for meat, sh, poultry, vegetables and herbs to replace street markets in Fish Street
(St Aldate’s) and Butchers Row (Queen Street).
It was rebuilt and enlarged between 1834–40 and later in the 19th century additional roofs were constructed and new avenues built. Between the 1880s and the 1890s,
extensive reconstruction was undertaken.
It was listed Grade II in 2000. Now the City Council is set to invest £3.1 million to secure its future.
£3.1 million investment
The funding includes £1.8 million to refurbish and preserve the Market’s roof and a further £1.3 million for internal refurbishment, decorations and ooring. The Market was gradually roofed over during the last 50 years of the 19th century.
With Christmas on the horizon, it’s a good time to visit Oxford’s Covered Market to see what’s on o er.
The Covered Market features
more than 50 traders selling fresh produce, gifts, fashion, owers and jewellery, and provides a unique showcase for the very best in local crafts, food and drink.
The Market is open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays, though businesses have their own opening times and some do not open on Sundays.
The City Council has agreed the nal funding for the long- term roof refurbishment project, which started in 2010. The work, which will take place over the next four years, includes refurbishing and replacing the slating and timberwork, and external decoration. Once complete, the work will extend the life of the roof by 60 to 80 years.
The project is highly-specialised because the market is listed and it’s within the city centre conservation area. The structure is not one single roof, it’s more than a dozen gable roofs. Added to this, it’s constructed from traditional Welsh slate, with a timber frame, cast iron trusses and tie beams.
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