Market Street (York)

The line of the street is immediately outside the Roman walls of Eboracum. It is first recorded in the 12th-century, as Bretgate, believed to mean "Street of the Britons". It was later known as Jubbergate. In the 1760s, the Little Theatre existed on the street, while in 1796, a Congregationalist chapel was constructed on it, becoming a Unitarian chapel in 1816.[1]

In 1836, Parliament Street was constructed, cutting across the middle of Jubbergate, and entailing the demolition of the chapel. The longer, south-western section of the road was widened in 1852, and then renamed "Market Street".[1][2] The street now forms part of the city's central shopping area, although it has been described as "secondary in terms of retail outlets".[3]

The street runs north-east, from its junction with Coney Street and Spurriergate, to Parliament Street. Beyond Parliament Street, its short continuation retains the old name of Jubbergate. Feasegate leads off the north-western side of the street, while Peter Lane leads of the south-eastern side.[2]

The notable buildings on the street lie on the south-eastern side: 15 Market Street is a four-storey, mid-19th century building, while 21 Market Street is early 18th-century, and the Burns Hotel is mid-19th century.[2][4] Conversely, the modern buildings at 8-10 Market Street and 20 Market Street are labelled "poorer examples" by the City of York Council.[3]