It was a huge undertaking and building was marred by controversary and tragedy when construction was halted by the collapse of the structure. One man was seriously injured, but thankfully went on to make a full recovery. The covered market was finally given a grand opening in 1875 and it has proudly stood in the heart of Preston since then.
Plans to redevelop the covered market – including a glass enclosure – were first proposed way back in 1988, but the idea was shot down. Preston City Council were not be thwarted though and they finally got their wish granted when in 2018 the new covered market was unveiled – complete with a wooden clad and glass interior.
5. Preston's covered market, pictured here in 1984, was the place to grab yourself a bargain, with a large number of different stalls to choose from Photo: Archive
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6. Mrs Gertrude Harrison (left), from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and friend Mrs Mary Singleton, from Dawson's Walk, Preston, were regular visitors to Preston's covered market when this picture was taken in 1981. Mary said she had been shopping at the market since she was a small girl, and Gertrude said claimed she never missed a chance to walk around the market when she was visiting her son who lived in Preston Photo: Marilyn Quilty
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7. Market trading was a gloomy business for stallholder Ray Worrall. He had to revert to gas lamps in order to let customer's see his seat covers on Preston's covered market. The early dark mornings unfortunately combined with a failure in the overhead lighting in 1986 Photo: Lindsey North
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8. Handbag stallholders Clare Green and friend Florrie Smith said they enjoy the market atmosphere. When this picture was taken in 1981 Clare had been working on her stall for 30 years Photo: Marilyn Quilty
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