Themed Markets

A market at common law is the franchise right of having a concourse of buyers and sellers to dispose of commodities in respect of which the franchise is given, and no person can have a franchise of market without a grant from the Crown or the authority of Parliament.

The Markets and Fairs of Gloucester are of ancient origin. As Gloucester is one of the ancient towns of the country, it has been said that the right to hold a market no doubt existed in Gloucester before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

A Charter of King Edward I, dated 24 October 1302, granted the rights to hold a market in the town.

The City Council is proud of its history as a market City with a Charter dating from AD 1155. We recognise that the type and viability of markets is a dynamic issue which has changed substantially over the years.