Picturing High Streets was a three-year project delivered by Photoworks to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets through artist residencies and a public call out. It was part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme, and produced in partnership with GRAIN Projects, Impressions Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, London College of Communications, Photofusion, QUAD/FORMAT, Redeye, ReFramed and The Photographers’ Gallery.
From September 2022 to September 2023, people across England responded to themed fortnightly challenges and submitted their photographs on Instagram under the hashtag #PicturingHighStreets. All entries created an unofficial archive documenting a year in the life of the English high street on Instagram, and a selection form this permanent collection in the Historic England Archive.
The photographs in this set were selected to represent the theme ‘Markets’. The brief for this theme was: 'Roll up, roll up, we are spotlighting high street markets. Indoor, outdoor, farmers or craft, show us your wares!'
The photographer wrote the following text to explain how their image relates to this theme: "There has been a market in Swaffham for over 800 years. I visited one Saturday in July and it was fantastic to see it situated in the town centre bustling with locals and visitors. There was a really traditional atmosphere."
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/02/24 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project - Markets; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/02 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Clair Robins
Photographer: Robins, Clair
Market Stall, Shops And Shopping, People At Work
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