If you ever want to know what the people of Tyneside are all about then a visit to the Grainger Market should be top priority. The market traders will greet you with a huge smile and the best Geordie accents in town. The majority of the market traders have family run businesses. Some of them have been operating for over 100 years and have been handed down from each generation. The Grainger Market offers a multitude of goods, from fresh fish, caught in the North Sea, vegetables and local meats. The smells from the cafes are enough to entice you in with a good selection of hot and cold food, cooked freshly for you.
The Grainger Market was originally designed by John Dobson in 1835 but was unfortunately devastated by fire in 1901 and the roof had to be redesigned. The Architect for the job was Richard Grainger. The rebuilt structure still stands strong today and is probably considered by locals as the heart of city centre. In 2010 Newcastle hosted a week of Victorian themed activities to celebrate its 175th birthday.
Below the market are two air raid shelters and although the public no longer have access to these, Newcastle Council sometimes open the doors to the stairs leading down to the shelters for educational purposes.
The Grainger Market is very dear to Newcastle and anyone visiting the area should take time out from the designer boutiques and busy clubs just to relax and walk around the area to get a real sense of ‘The Toon’
The Grainger Market is open every day from 9am until 5pm but closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays and located between Grainger Street and Clayton Street.
