8 incredible old photos of St Nicks Market in Bristol over the years
St Nicholas Market in the heart of Bristol has been one of the city’s retail hubs since 1743
These days, St Nicholas Market in Bristol is a bustling place full of independent food stalls and shops, but it has been the city’s main place of trading since 1743.
Known to many simply as St Nicks, it has Bristol’s largest collection of permanent independent retailers and the monthly Night Market, which returned last week, draws thousands of people.
READ THIS: 10 amazing photos showing life in Bristol Harbourside over the decades
In the old days, the market was more about flowers, fruit and veg stalls, butchers and fishmongers.
We’ve trawled through the archives to find eight incredible photos of the market over the years.
1. Butchers
With no refrigeration, and sawdust on the floors, the butchers in St Nicholas Market back in 1958 was a simple affair. Photo: Bristol Archives.
2. Busy place
The Glass Arcade in the early 1970s was a busy place and it’s still easily recognisable from today. Photo: Bristol Archives
3. Flower sellers
This stall in 1958 sold flowers, fruit and veg in the Glass Arcade - does anybody recognise the two ladies? Photo: Bristol Archives
4. Long lost pub
The subterranean pub Ye Grotto in St Nicholas Market had a Hobbit-style look. Photo: Bristol Archives