Birkenhead Market has survived many difficult periods in its 186 year history.
Devastating fires in the 1960s and 70s to the building it called home for more than 130 years meant the market was relocated to the Grange Shopping Centre Precinct in 1977.
Now, its future again appears uncertain as Wirral Council plans to move the market to a temporary home on St Werburghs Square next year.
The council argues a move to the temporary location will allow for the current site to be demolished, enabling plans including a new modern, energy efficient permanent home for the market to be developed.
Despite operating in a number of different sites and incarnations over the years, the market has always held a special place in the heart of Wirral shoppers.
It was first established on what is now the site of Birkenhead Town Hall on July 10, 1835.
As the town's population grew, increased demand led to the opening of an expanded market on a nearby site by 1845.
With the market's proud history in the town, we decided to take a look back at its golden era and what the future might hold.
Europe's second largest market
Wirral Council paid £8,154 for the land of the extended market and £23,735 was spent on building what was Europe's second largest market.
At the time, St John's in Liverpool city centre was actually the biggest in Europe.
The market was constructed by Fox, Henderson & Co and was constantly filled with shoppers grabbing their groceries and other bits of shopping.
Michael Marks - one of the co-founders of supermarket chain, Marks & Spencer - opened one of the first 'penny bazaar' stalls in the market in the 1880s.
The market went from strength to strength in this golden era of shopping locally and supporting independent businesses.
Archive photos show the market serving the town as a place of commerce and bustling social interaction in its heyday.
Two fires strike the booming market
In 1969 the 129-year-old building was engulfed by a devastating fire, before being hit by tragedy again in 1974 when it was once more engulfed in flames.
Traders lost thousands of pounds worth of stock - and the second fire wiped out goods bought in ready for Christmas.
The commercial centre of Birkenhead was redeveloped around the main shopping area of Grange Road.
Following the two fires at the expanded market, the decision was taken to move it to a new premises adjoining the Grange Shopping Centre Precinct in 1977.
In the 1990s the Pyramids Shopping centre opened and the previous market site was redeveloped along with the construction of two office buildings - the Land Registry and the Department of Work and Pensions offices.
Fighting for survival and serving a loyal customer base
Over the last few years shoppers and traders alike have raised their concerns about the fortunes of Birkenhead Market, with perceptions it's struggling to stay relevant in a changing retail landscape.
However, the market still has a lot to offer shoppers with butchers, fishmongers and stalls selling everything from clothes to books, toys and cosmetics.
Back in 2018, when the ECHO visited Birkenhead Market we found the regulars were still loyal to his Wirral institution and the cafés were still popular with customers.
Take a trip down memory lane in your area by entering your postcode below
But many feared Birkenhead’s love for its market – and a shopping experience where the shop owner knows your name – isn’t being passed on to a younger generation that has grown up shopping at retail parks.
As cafe owner Ken Bibby put it: “I meet younger people who will say they have never been to Birkenhead Market”, while one beauty salon manager said: “Customers stop coming in because they think there’s nothing here”.
What does the future hold for Birkenhead Market?
New images revealed this week show what the temporary site for an historic Wirral market might look like.
The artist's impressions shows St Werburghs Square in Birkenhead, the proposed temporary location for the town’s market which is set to be up and running early next year.
Under Wirral Council’s plans, Birkenhead Market will then move again to a permanent site from 2025, however the full details for this move have not yet been confirmed.
Wirral Council acknowledges that the new site is smaller than the existing market and not all traders currently operating at Birkenhead Market will move to the new site, however those who do not will be given help and advice on alternative premises across the town centre.
Some traders have argued that the council should use the former Marks and Spencer building to house the market, but that option was ruled out as it was considered too expensive.
