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Oxford's Covered Market Oxford Civic Society

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Covered Market history uncovered thanks to Heritage Lottery grant

The fascinating stories of the people behind Oxford's Covered Market will be told to new generations of visitors, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

covered market The award of £50,000 will help fund a major heritage and history project called ‘WHO is Oxford's Covered Market?' The project will reflect the personal histories and personalities of the Covered Market traders, their customers and other influential people, and investigate how these have shaped the heritage of this unique commercial building.

It will have four key elements: an oral history study of the people behind the Covered Market, the creation of a set of photographic portraits of those involved, development of a new Guided Walk to help tell the stories uncovered to shoppers and visitors, and the building of a legacy exhibition, including a new Covered Market website and printed material, to publish the story told.
Did you used to work in Oxford's Covered Market? OTCN and Oxford Civic Society are keen to trace former owners or managers of Covered Market stalls to play a part in this exciting project. Please get in touch via   or join our Facebook group 'I worked at Oxford's Covered Market'

The project is a joint initiative between OTCN Ltd, the not-for-profit limited company which is the driving force behind the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network, and Oxford Civic Society. OTCN Director Karyn Buck says: "Oxford's Covered Market is a real treasure in the heart of the city. We would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their very generous support of this project which will allow us to tell the great stories behind the Covered Market in many new ways."

covered market OTCN Ltd is currently inviting tenders from organisations and businesses who'd like to play a part in the project. More details here. An important feature will be recruiting and training volunteers and school children to help collect and interpret the historical research. It is also hoped that The Museum of Oxford will host an exhibition which draws together the oral histories and the photographic studies. Oxford Civic Society's Tony Joyce says: "This is a really exciting project. The Covered Market is a unique part of Oxford and the role it has played in the life of the city needs to be better known. Linking its history to the Museum of Oxford will benefit all, and be another source of interest for visitors and residents."

Explaining the importance of the award, Stuart McLeod, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East England said: "Oxford's Covered Market has been a touchstone to city life and business for well over two centuries and this project will delve into the vibrant development of trading and the interaction between the local community and shopkeepers in this historic building."

The project team will be working closely with the Covered Market Trader's Association and with the building's owners, Oxford City Council. Chris Farren, Chairman of the Covered Market Trader's Association, says: "I am delighted to hear that the Oxford Covered Market has been granted a £50,000 award by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Covered Market is unique as it brings together fifty independent traders all working together within a City Centre, something sadly lost to most cities in the country. We all look forward to working together on this project with OTCN." Cllr Colin Cook, who is the City Council's Heritage Champion and has responsibility for the Covered Market, says: "I am very pleased to hear that this award has been made. It is only by understanding our past that we can make informed decisions about how the Market in Oxford will continue to work into the future".

covered market The HLF grant will be added to by a range of sponsorship contributions, including a donation by the legacy fund from the former city centre management company, OX1, which was wound up this year.

Oxford Civic Society is a citizens' membership group concerned with the quality of Oxford's built environment and its impact on people's daily lives. The Society's threefold priority is to protect Oxford's heritage, appreciate today's city and shape its future. See www.oxfordcivicsoc.org.uk/

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of our diverse heritage, and has supported more than 33,900 projects, allocating over £4.4billion across the UK, with over £428 million granted in the South East alone. Details at www.hlf.org.uk

Pictures by Alison Nicholson/OTCN and The OX1 Image Library
This OTCN-led project has been kindly supported by:

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