ROYAL COUPLE VISITS COUNTY
PRINCE EDWARD AND SOPHIE UNVEIL PLAQUE AND TAKE TOUR
MARKET Harborough welcomed members of the royal family to the town centre to commemorate part of its rich history.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were given a tour of the town yesterday as it celebrates eight centuries of its Tuesday market.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie gave the medieval market the royal seal of approval, unveiling a plaque that also marks the launch of a historic market trail.
The market has been a central part of the town since the 13th century.
The royal visit had been kept secret for security reasons but the couple were met with a warm welcome from schoolchildren and other locals.
Councillor Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “I’m really pleased we managed to get members of the royal family to come and commemorate and celebrate this fantastic market.
“We’ve also launched our historical market trail and a people’s gallery in the market hall and St Mary’s shopping precinct with images and memorabilia of yesteryear that people have given to or loaned to the council.
“We just want to capture as much as we can of our fantastic history.”
A district council spokesman said: “While King John granted a royal market charter to the town of Market Harborough in 1204, the Tuesday market did not begin until 1221, when the market day was changed from Monday to Tuesday by King Henry III.
“The town grew around the market, which continued to trade down the high street, beneath the Old Grammar School, at the Town Hall and on the town square on Tuesdays and then Saturdays for centuries, until in 1903 the cattle market and a covered market was established on what is now Sainsbury’s car park.
“In 1993, the area was redeveloped to create St Mary’s Shopping Centre and the indoor market that you see today was built.”
Coun King said: “This is a hugely important milestone.
“The market has been the beating economic heart of the town for 800 years and we are honoured to be the current custodians.
“The market remains important to shoppers today. As we have seen during the pandemic, it provided a crucial role enabling residents to access food supplies.”