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 October 24th 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.
Following the successful running of open markets, including car boot sales at the old Cattle Market site over recent years, we left the site at the end of January 2006. We now operate a market and car boot sale from a multi-use purpose built site at Hempsted Meadow|, the Cherry & White Market| on Friday's and Saturday's and a very successful Farmers Market| on Gloucester Cross every Friday. In addition to this, we have a covered Market - Eastgate Indoor Market| situated in the heart of the CIty.
Last Modified: Tuesday 17 May 2011