Visit to Castle Market. Sheffield

 Sheffield Castle Market 1960-2013

The present market is due for demolition and due to be relocated as part of the regeneration of The Moor.
 Markets have been on this site for 700yrs, built on top of Sheffield's castle. The focal point of old Sheffield and the meeting place of the river Don and Sheaf.
The present market was built 1960-65 functional modernism. Planned by the city architect J.Lewis Womersley and the Andrew Derbyshire. It combines optimism and innovation with humanity. Built into the hill, three floors of shops and stalls with a five story office block built on top.
Combines unity, magnificent details, a castle theme and the individuality of the stalls with original 60's signage.
Castellated walls on the outside, mosaic castles, footbridges, towers, cantilevered stairs with views onto the different floors.
Beautiful details; sweeping shaped hard wood handrails and metalwork, mosaic walls, skylights facing north to give an even light, a curving ramp at the back.
Cafes with enticing names; Riviera snack bar, Cafe Internationale, Roof Top Cafe which looks like the inside of a Jumbo Jet.
Stair roofing with roundels of glass to let the light in and give protection. Storage areas above each shop.

Sheffield Archives (Sheffield Central Library)

Looking at the original market plans, books on Sheffield development from the 1960's, newspaper articles from the opening of the market and the photographic archives it is clear that this was an era of socialist optimism. The city was being improved for the people. Slum clearance and the building of Park Hill, Norfolk Park, Broomhall and Kelvin flats.

The Pedestrian in the City by David Lewis 1960
'Every effort has been  made in the planning to equalize the accessibility of all the stalls. The upper market level has large voids left in the floor to provide a visual contact between it and the lower level and stairway connections.'
'Pedestrian only developments enhance mans potential enjoyment of architecture and human society can be realized to the full.'

Photographs of Sheffield Castle Market

Castle Market, turrets and castellated walkways.

Big hair in the Soda Fountain cafe.

Place to lean and talk on the hard wood handrail looking onto the market level below.

Storage units above shops and skylights to ensure light but not direct sun that would fade garments and heat food.

Cantilevered stairs.

   

Space age design of the Roof Top cafe.

            

Mosaics and round glass skylights.

 Tony Christie sings Walk Like a Panther filmed in Sheffield Castle Market:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFyD-JYWD0