Forum Topic

Brentford Market

I am trying to find photographs on the web of the old Brentford Market, the one that moved and became Western International Market. I have used the search engines without success. Any ideas please???

Linda F Wright ● 7255d6 Comments

JimThank you for your info on the market and of course my award!I found the photo of the fountain on the Brentford TW8.com site after putting Brentford Market in a search engine.http://scd.mm-b.yimg.com/image/1403170265

Linda F Wright ● 7250d

LindaI like the text in Gillian Clegg's book CHISWICK PAST p134which says that "stalls pitched in the street and the front rooms of houses served as shops in the early centuries"Presumably there were stalls in the Market Place in Brentford High Street..just as there were outside the George IV pub in Chiswick.Of course there were masses of Market Gardens and Nurseries in the local area..but  trade was certainly not on Supermarket lines!!. It seems, from other publications, that  lots of stalls would congregate ..in the roadway..in the late 1800's on Kew Bridge Road (near the Fountain Leisure Centre). and trade would be brisk. One can imagine all the barrows and wheelbarrows coming over the old Kew Bridge adding to the Chiswick's  horse drawn trams. The horses  would stop for water at THAT FOUNTAIN located at the foot of Kew Bridge.I believe that the informal Brentford Market grew and became established in the 1890's  with the Main buildings being opened in 1903...between Lionel Road..and what is now the Chiswick Roundabout. In these early years..early 1900's Edward VII would have visited Chiswick..with all the dignatories and displays on show..as he journey up the Chiswick High road..to open the NEW KEW BRIDGE.I remember the Brentford Market building well. Very elegant facing the High Road with a Nat West bank..and traders offices.  If you walked from Kew Bridge Station..across the first rail bridge, across Lionel Road, over another curving railway line..one  arrived at one of the Market Gateswhich immediately opened onto a cobbled area...with long rows of "large garage like" terraces..following the curve of the railway outside.The main building.. long and parallel with the High Road ..had a roof and hallway similar to a Brunel Railway Terminus!. The Kellys Directory, I have, lists hundreds of stallholders.The market closed in 1974..at the time the Market moved to Parkway (WIM).  But the old brentford Market continued to be used by small firms involved in car maintenance etc..on short leases from the Council.Apparently it was also used for skateboarding.Looking at the area today..where the Fountain Leisure Centre is..and the surrounding Industrial park..it is in no way more attractive than the old Market Building facing the High Road. People around these days..and making the decisions ..just don't appreciate that. The present estate could be anywhere//in Swindon or Birmingham or Watford...awful.Your FOUNTAIN photo ought to be placed on the ""Brentford Pictures"" thread too!!! Where did you find it? I couldn't  work out its journey onto this thread!! ;0)

Jim Lawes ● 7250d

Linda..well done!Your superb picture of the old "Kew Bridge" Water Fountain..(now located at the Western International Market) has given you full marks.We therefore present you with the PP Doctorate for Picture Posters..and your medals are enclosed..below! Wear them proudly!

Jim Lawes ● 7250d

I guess that there are no pictures on the web. I can find ones of a market outside the Court did this move? Was the market where the Fountains Leisure Centre is now and when was it started at that location if so?

Linda F Wright ● 7251d

Well done Linda! You are herewith awarded the Moving Image (MI) Diploma for that posting "Wot no pictures then"...and you now join the others on the Ealing Forum who have mastered that technology and sat the exam!!With regard to photos of the old Brentford Market in Chiswick High Road, I don't recall seeing any myself on my travels around cyberspace..but maybe others have.Maybe there is a photo in one of the Local History books..by Caroline Hammond, Gillian Clegg, or others.I do remember the main building..and the lock up stalls and units..surrounded by cobbled roadways.and the 1938 Kelly's Directory lists the occupants of the front shops,the Warehouses,the Market stalls,the Pitching stands,the Wagon Stands and there were hundreds of traders working in them!Linda: post a picture..and we'll send you the PP Docteratefor picture posters. ;0)

Jim Lawes ● 7253d

      Wot no pictures then.

Linda F Wright ● 7254d