Former Fish Market

Old Market Place, Warrington

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

A mid-C19 fish market; architect unknown although most probably by James Stevens. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1329719
Date first listed:: 11-Jun-1974
List Entry Name:: Former Fish Market
Statutory Address:: Old Market Place, Warrington

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Date:: 2006-03-01
Reference:: IOE01/15158/31
Rights:: © Mr Martin Byrne. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1329719
Date first listed:: 11-Jun-1974
Date of most recent amendment:: 02-Feb-2012
List Entry Name:: Former Fish Market
Statutory Address 1:: Old Market Place, Warrington

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Old Market Place, Warrington

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Warrington (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: SJ6056688255

Summary

A mid-C19 fish market; architect unknown although most probably by James Stevens.

Reasons for Designation

The former fish market is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Historic: as a mid-C19 little-altered example of a characteristic building type; * Group value: it forms a group with other listed commercial buildings around the Old Market Place, being the one remaining market building which gives the area its name.

History

A market hall designed by James Stevens was constructed to the south side of the market place in 1855-6. This was aligned east-west and was of brick construction with stone detailing. The fish market was an extension to this market hall, abutting its northern elevation at 90 degrees. Pevsner describes the current building as mid-C19, although it is not known whether Stevens remained the architect. The market is described elsewhere as being enlarged 1878-84; it is unclear whether this is referring to an enlargement of the market hall or the construction of the fish market itself, however the former is the most likely. The complex first appears on the 1:2500 1st edition OS map of Lancashire, published in 1894, and was unchanged up until the date of partial demolition.

The complex was listed on the 11th June 1974. In the same year, the old market hall was demolished to make way for new development. At some point after listing, the glazed outer walls and corrugated iron cladding was removed from the fish market, restoring the building to its original open state.

Details

MATERIALS: cast iron.

Plan: rectangular, aligned north-south.

EXTERIOR: this is an open-sided canopy with six iron columns to the east and west, connected by segmental arches with ornamented spandrels. The eight southern columns have foliated capitals. The two to the north are square and substantial, with lion’s head, fruit and foliage motifs within recessed panels. Gable ends are to the north and south; each incorporates glazed roundels.

INTERIOR: it is entirely open, spanned by a gabled roof with iron struts. Six large octagonal lanterns are suspended from the ceiling in staggered bays.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 58817
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, Pollard, R, The Buildings of England: Lancashire, Liverpool and the South-West, (2006), 602
Schmiechen, J, Carls, K, The British Market Hall, (1999), 296

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.