Castleford Wholesale Fruit and Veg Market

The ending of an era as an open traditional fruit and veg market situated in the centre of Sheffield makes way in 1961 for a cold replacement on the outskirts, with fencing, barriers and guard dogs. The filmmaker, himself a market holder, captures much of the busy homely atmosphere of the old market and also the sad contrast with the modern alternative, lacking the intimacy of the old market as well as its place in the heart of city centre activity, stuck as it is behind high walls.

We can only presume that the old market in some way become unfit for purpose, but those who worked in both testify that much was lost along the way, in atmosphere and camaradie, as well as some well established market holders. Some note the hard work, carrying 1cwt sacks of potatoes (over twice the weight of the 25kg replacements), and frequenting Mays cafe at the bottom of Broad Street. Another, ‘Tillerman’, recounts one character, Bear, who used to lose his rag if anyone said the word Bazaroo. Apparently, he fought with a bear for prize money at a fairground and was doing ok until the bear's keeper said the word, Bazaroo, after which he fared rather less well.