History
The Changing Face of Market Place
Since first opening its gates to the public in 1899, the southern façade of The Arcade has stood watch over many changes in Market Place and the wider town centre.
Replacing a row of three narrow and somewhat unremarkable early nineteenth century Market Place shops, the southern façade of The Arcade was universally hailed as an attractive architectural addition to the town centre.
Built from ashlar, the southern façade boasts three storeys plus attic and is topped by stylish Dutch gables. Above a central archway, the carved words ‘THE ARCADE’ are enhanced with ornate decoration. The southern façade is also slightly narrower and more graceful than the northern, with a central window featuring just two panes and a single dividing mullion. The overall impression is of a building displaying a restrained Renaissance style with subtle detailing and a quality finish. It is a good example of a late nineteenth-century arcade that is faithful to the tradition first imported from Europe almost a century earlier.
In the early days, horse-drawn carriages were a common sight outside the Market Place entrance to The Arcade. The town was a little quieter than in the decades to come, though the ice cream hawkers nevertheless did a steady trade. On market days the square would be lined with stalls, as eager traders vied for the attention of cautious shoppers.
Around the middle of the last century, the market was moved to its current location and Market Place was tarmacked and saw the addition of a central reservation. Cars trundled at a modest pace along the two-way system, occasionally stopping to allow pedestrians to use the zebra crossing which directed shoppers into The Arcade. Those in need of a rest took a break on the walls and benches, admiring the flower beds as they took a breather.
The post-war period saw Market Place at its busiest, as locals thronged the pavements on their tour of the shops. A policeman was always on hand to give directions to pedestrians and to manage the flow of traffic. Roundabouts at each end of Market Place also helped to keep vehicles flowing freely. Queues would often form outside the centrally positioned telephone boxes, an ever-present feature in Market Place for well over half a century.
Later, Market Place would be pedestrianised, losing the two-way system, central reservation and twin roundabouts that had been its defining features for decades. Planters, benches, bollards and bandstands created a more peaceful environment, thought the hustle and bustle of previous decades is missed by many.