Abingdon Street Market - Old Police Station
Built circa 1862, the building was originally the town's Police Station ( having a court house, cells and was enlarged in 1880.) Cells still exist in the basement which if you ask are below the fish counter to the right as you go in. It had space for horses and vehicles by way of a large entrance and following the end of its life as the Police Station in May 1893 the Constabulary moved to a new building on Lower King Street, now known as South King Street ( near the Masonic Hall.) As the years progressed the building was bought by joiner T H Smith to enlarge the buildings he owned then later operating as a motor garage and showroom for a period before becoming a market in 1928 and has been going strong as a market ever since. ( info Nick Moore - images J W Gregson )