Smithfield Market Hall
Smithfield Market Hall is a former market hall on Swan Street, Manchester. History. The area now known as part of the Northern Quarter in Manchester was named Smithfield Market in May 1822 because the potato market had moved to the area in 1820. As the market became more popular more land was acquired in 1850. Built between 1857 and 1858 and roofed over with iron trusses in 1865 the Hall replaced an earlier butchers' shambles on the same site. As the area continued to expand a retail fish market was built the same year; the building has  since been demolished however its extension built in two stages has survived. At its peak in 1897 the market place covered four and a half acres in Manchester City Centre stretching from Swan Street in Ancoats in the north, Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, Shudehill to the east and Oak Street to the west. In these various markets the public could obtain fish, meat, fruit and vegetables; its influence was such that it spread further into Ancoats and through its Italian community spawned an ice-cream manufacturing industry. The market was policed at various points by Manchester Market Police . Current status. Other parts of the market have since been converted into other uses such as the fish market whose external walls are still intact but contained within are apartments and flats. However the former market hall after a period of occupancy has remained derelict since 2008. Closure. Smithfield Market was closed in 1972 and parts of the complex were demolished, the market stalls were relocated to West Gorton at the New Smithfield Market. The Market Hall was Grade II listed in 1973.