Market Hall

Market Place, Stricklandgate

The first covered market area was on the back of and below the St Georges Chapel near the entrance of the Market Place to Stricklandgate. This was supported on columns but open to the sides and not very large so could only accommodate a limited number of merchants and farmers. St Georges Chapel was demolished in 1855 and a new Market House built on it's site but with a larger covered market area at the rear projecting into the Market Place. Eventually, by the end of the C19 that was no longer adequate and the current covered and enclosed Market Hall was built in 1891 behind (and incorporating part of) the old Football Inn with it's wide entrance to the left of the Inn with decorative carved sandstone detailing

This hall was built by public subscription in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee, 1887. The first charter for holding a Kendal market was granted by King Richard I. The fair and market tolls were abolished on the last day of 1864, being purchased by subscription amounting to £1100, from the Lords of the Manor or Barony, the Earl of Lonsdale and the Hon. Mary Howard. The event seems to have been celebrated by a treat of wine and cake given by the Mayor and Corporation, Farmers’ Club, and other gentlemen. Afterwards a procession was formed, headed by a band of music, which wended its way to the Cauld-stean, from whence the Town Clerk read the proclamation declaring the tolls free from twelve o’clock at noon of that day henceforth, and for ever. John F Curwen, Kirkbie Kendal (1900)