Late 1800s

In 1883, Solomon Andrews, one of Cardiff’s leading Victorian entrepreneurs, put forward a scheme for a new market which included a block of shops and offices on St Mary Street frontage and a rebuilt market hall behind. Andrews had no more success than the borough engineer had in the past, but the rejection of the plan by the corporation seems to have led directly to the erection of Market Buildings on St Mary Street. In 1884 he took a lease for the entire street frontage, including the police station, Edward Haycock’s market entrance and the two small cottages in between. He then erected a huge new building with four floors which for a time overshadowed adjoining buildings, until James Howells extended his store on the same scale.

The Opening of Cardiff Central Market - 1891

A plan was adopted for Cardiff Market in 1890 and Haycock’s market of 1835 closed for demolition. In August of that year a memorial stone was laid for the new market which was officially opened on 8 May 1891. The new central market was designed on similar lines to that of the 1835 version, except that the St Mary Street entrance was provided by the existing archway beneath Market Buildings.

The market was designed by the borough engineer William Harpur, and consisted of a large wrought iron shed running from the back wall of Market Buildings through to Trinity Street.

The main market hall had stalls down each side and on either side of four aisles, with a balcony on all four sides of the hall. In all, 349 stalls were provided in the original layout, ranging from simple open counters to lock ups. There was a determined attempt to group tenants by trade and to confine non-food sales to the balcony in an effort to ensure that shoppers did venture upstairs. A raised office for the market superintendent was provided on the ground floor surmounted by a clock tower.

The Central Market was opened on 8 May 1891 by the Lady Mayoress of the day, the Marchioness of Bute. A plaque to commemorate the occasion can still be seen near the Trinity Street entrance.