Plymouth Pannier Market | |
---|---|
Location | Plymouth, Devon |
Coordinates | 50°22′19″N 4°08′47″W / 50.37190°N 4.14651°W |
Built | 1956-1959 |
Architect | Walls & Pearn |
Architectural style(s) |
Modernist Festival of Britain style |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Designated | 25 March 2003 |
Reference no. | 1350321 |
Plymouth Pannier Market, also called Plymouth City Market, [1] is a pannier market in Plymouth, Devon. The building was designed by local architects Walls & Pearn and built in 1959 and 1960. The market was granted Grade II listed status in 2003, [2] and is seen as one of Plymouth's most innovative and important post-war buildings. [3] [4]: 18 It gets over a million visitors per year, making it one of the most visited markets in the country. [5]
The Prior of Plympton was first granted a charter to hold markets in Sutton (the ancient name of Plymouth) in 1253. [6]: 15 A market building was constructed in 1805 on an "almost unrivalled" site though according to Plymouth architect James Hine, the building itself was "not worthy of a great and civilized community like Plymouth". [6]: 47 It was rebuilt in 1853 and modified again in 1891. [7]
Although Historic England says that the original market was bombed in 1941, [2] Elain Harwood and documents from Plymouth City Council say it survived. [4]: 9 [7] Harwood writes that the old market closed on 5 September 1959 with a firework display. [7]
The project lasted between 1956 and 1959, [8]: 30 and its 1959 opening by Lord Mayor Percival Washbourn signalled the completion of the city centre's redevelopment. [7] [9]
In March 2003, the market was listed at grade II by Historic England, noted for "the quality of its interior and technical ingenuity on a large scale". [2]
The market underwent a £3.2 million refurbishment from September 2016 to September 2017, with stalls remaining open for the duration of the works. [5] The refurbishment included restoring the roof, which had deteriorated due to leaks and build-up of guano from seagulls. [10] The completion of works was celebrated with a 'Grand Day Out' event. [11]
Plymouth's strategic masterplan, released in 2017, proposes the market become the focal point of a new 'Market Quarter' within a new market square. [1]: 14
Plymouth's city architect Hector J.W. Stirling was meant to design the market along with a conference centre and an exhibition hall but the level of work meant the market project was outsourced to a local firm. [7] It was instead designed by H.F. Walls and C.H.P. (Paul) Pearn with Ken Bingham being the project architect. [7]
The market has a 40 feet (12 m) high ceiling with seven concrete frames that span 150 feet (46 m). [8]: 32 Walls and Pearn worked with Albin Chronowicz, a celebrated structural engineer, [12] to create the building's concrete shell. [8]: 30 The roof also had vaults containing north-facing rooflights, [8]: 32–33 which give the interior an even, natural light. [7] Cantilevered flights of stairs at either end of the market lead up to a gallery cafe. [7]
The porches at the main entrances are decorated with murals by sculptor David Weeks. [8]: 32 [12]
The building has been described as modernist, [3] Festival of Britain-style, [4]: 13 [12] and a rejection of classical composition. [8]: 30 It was awarded a Civic Trust Award in 1960. [13]
Alex de Rijke proposed that the market could be used more effectively by the introduction of a mezzanine, creating a balcony level which could be used by cafes and bars. [14]