Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK
info@capitalofthefens.org.uk

Historic Market Place

Historic Market Place

Wisbech has been a market town for centuries – the “Old Market” has been named that for centuries… So it stands to reason that the buildings have changed use over this time. If you wander around town like a tourist, especially if you take the time to talk to the owners of shops and businesses, you will hear about what each building has been in its past.
I went on a walk last year – as part of the regular Octavia Hill Birthplace House walks – the local conservation officer showed us some of the early 20th Century buildings, often overlooked in favour of the Georgian and Victorian.
One of these was the Hughes building (pictured) on Market Place, another was the QD store. Now I’m sure QD’s building was Woolworths when I first came here, and I think I’m right in saying that it had the first escalator in the town; also that the Hughes building is a steel framed building; I’m hoping those who know better will write in and correct me if I’m wrong! These buildings alone can document recent local history, and stimulate fascinating conversations amongst locals and visitors. What do you remember of the buildings in the Market Place?
While in town planning this column, I bumped into Tony Smith, (husband of Diane Calton Smith, local author and the voice of the revamped Merchants Trail); he suggested I visited the Barbers Shoppe on Market Place and have a chat about their building. They are often told it was a pub, but they’re not sure which one! I know there’s a talk about all the pubs, so I’ll see if it’s being put on again soon and let you know. Meanwhile, I asked the Wisbech Heritage Forum group on Facebook, and pretty immediately got the answer – The Griffin. So thanks to Tony for sending me there, and to all the Forum members for answering me!

One way to see the town as it was is to follow the Merchants Trail as mentioned. It’s just re-launched, with maps available from the Museum, Tourist Information (in Etcetera) and various other places. With an Apple app to guide you around the Trail, (Android available very soon), that’s where you’ll hear Diane narrating the details of 17 places that were part of Wisbech’s success in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Whether it’s pubs in the 1960s, early 20th Century architecture or 19th Century Merchants, there’s a story for you to discover.