Markets in the Borough of Rotherham
Markets have doubtless existed from the earliest times when farmers and tradesmen had good to barter or trade. They have existed under charter in Rotherham since the early Middle Ages.
Rotherham Market
Rotherham Outdoor Market is much decayed at the side of what it was just a few years ago. Some days barely half the stalls are occupied. At one time there were some truly top quality traders standing there but many of these have now gone. The Market Hall still seems to do a brisk trade and empty stalls are very quickly re-let. The outdoor market held in Effingham Street on Tuesdays had many new traders and is consequently busy.The Market Hall is open six days a week. There are market days on Monday, Friday and Saturday, second–hand clothes on Tuesdays, Bric–a–Brac on Wednesdays. On Tuesdays there is an additional market in Effingham Street. The Farmers' Market is on the last Wednesday of the month and has a few food stalls. I called into the Farmers' Market in Rotherham at the end of July 2009 to get some things but the market was down to seven stalls and the ones I'd intended to buy from were not there. This may be because it's holiday season; we shall have to wait and see. Haven't been back since although I've done a lot of my regular shopping in the regular markets.
If you are interested then you can wade through the history at The History of Rotherham >> Markets & Fairs.
Denaby Main Market
Denaby is just over the border in Doncaster but only just so I've included it here. This is a regular market with bric a brac and car boot type stalls – very busy on a Sunday. Open Wednesdays and Sundays 6am – 1pm throughout the year. Covered stalls, hardstanding. Tel. 44 (0)1709 700072.
Dinnington Market
Open Fridays and Saturday 8am – 3pm. Tel. 44 (0)1709 700072. Next to bus station.
Kiveton Park Market
Market and Car Boot Sale every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday 6am – noon behind the Library. Has Fruit and Veg only on a Friday.
Maltby Market
A Tesco store has been built on the site of the outdoor and indoor markets. I presume that there is no longer a market in Maltby contact Maltby Town Council Tel. 44 (0)1709 814060.
Rawmarsh Market
If I thought Rotherham Market was decayed then it has to be said that Rawmarsh Market has virtually withered out of existence. It was still quite lively only fifteen years ago but now only one or two stalls stand. Tuesdays and Fridays.
Farmers' Markets
There has long been a farm stall selling produce at Wentworth Garden Centre and some bright spark decided in 2002 to try and develop this into a proper farmer's market with a wide variety of stalls. The powers that be in Rotherham Council did not like this. I have not followed all the in and outs of the dispute but the latest diktat from the Council stated that the stalls that stood could only sell produce made by the stallholder. This, you can imagine, has kiboshed nearly everybody since most stalls accessed some of their produce from small producers or craftspeople down the road to give their customers a wider choice. This has also kiboshed the charity stall that used to stand selling a variety of products made by the members. Farmers' Markets are held in the Borough of Rotherham at Wentworth on the second Sunday of most months (occasionally elsewhere) and Rotherham Town Centre on the last Wednesday of every month (December may be different). These are listed in Recreation in Rotherham >> Rotherham Events >> Monthly Events Diary on the month by month pages. Visit the website www.syfarmersmarkets.co.uk.
For more information about markets in Rotherham ring Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Markets Department Tel. 44 (0)1709 365021.