22: The Magic of Market Day

The hustle and bustle of the street market brings extra vibrance to Trinity Square each Thursday. It is today’s face of a tradition that stretches right back to the 13th century when Axminster was first granted the right to hold markets. Today’s market would, however, be dwarfed by those of days gone by, and in particular by the livestock markets that operated in Market Square, Trinity Square and most recently off South Street.

When it opened in 1912, the South Street market had space for 400 mature cattle, 300 calves, 2,000 sheep and 500 pigs with room left for poultry and rabbits. Two firms of auctioneers competed head-to-head at at opposite ends of the market.

The livestock market went into decline with the outbreak of BSE (‘mad cow disease’) in the late 1980s. An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was a further long-term blow to cattle movement, and the site was eventually sold for redevelopment in 2006.