Bridport's mayor is praising the street market as a 'jewel' that makes the town so special - highlighting the wonderful mix of traders that can be found there.

Bridport market has a long history. In 1253, King Henry III granted a charter to Bridport and since then the market has been in operation almost continuously.

Bridport mayor councillor Ian Bark explains that in Saxon times, 'port' meant a place of trade, any type of trade and not necessarily a seaport. This port, market, or bullring was often a widening of the main street in the town centre and in Bridport this can be found in South Street near St Mary's Church.

When the Royal Charter was issued, the market gradually moved to East Street and eventually to the site of the town hall. Shambles – permanent fixed open stalls with sloping roofs – were built on the pavement by the George Inn, and opposite the Town Hall.

The event was incredibly popular and had a royal visit from Princess Margaret, with an estimated 10,000 people filling the streets of Bridport as she arrives at the town hall and greeted by Bridport Mayor, H. R. C. Palmer.

Cllr Bark said: "Today, Bridport is a thriving, bustling market town, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the street market is in full flow from around 8am until the afternoon.

"If you visit the market, you will find a diverse range of stalls selling a wide assortment of goods and produce including local food, street food, clothing and jewellery, arts and crafts, antiques and bric-a-brac, books, furniture, flowers, plants and lots more. A special feature of the Saturday market is the bric-a-brac stalls in South Street.

"In addition to the regular twice weekly markets, Bridport also hosts a vegan and craft market held on Barrack Street on the third Saturday of every month which hosts a vibrant mix of stall holders selling mouth-watering vegan food and local, fresh produce, hand crafted items and beauty products. Everything from authentic Greek pitta wraps to sweet and savoury baked goods, locally grown oyster mushrooms, recycled jewellery, organic skincare, kids clothing and vegan pick and mix can be found here."

A farmers' market is usually held on every second Saturday of the month on Barrack Street and in The Lyric, but it is not yet known when it will be returning to Bridport following the last lockdown.

Cllr Bark added: "Over the past couple of weeks I have visited the market and spoken to as many stallholders as I could and taken a picture of them and their wares. I met stallholders who have been coming to Bridport for over 30 years and a couple for whom it was their first time.

"It is very easy to spend a morning browsing the stalls and during peak months up to 100 to choose from, it means a visit to the market is always special. But what makes Bridport's street market really special is the people behind the stalls. Not only are they all passionate about what they have to offer for sale but are a great group of really knowledgeable and friendly people who love what they do."

You can read the whole of the mayor's blog here.

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below!

You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.