Photos of the Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1980s-90s

Newcastle’s historic indoor market, Grainger Market, opened to the public on 24 October 1835 following a huge celebratory banquet on 22 October. The market is known as Newcastle's first supermarket and is a gem in the heart of the city to this day.

Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1980s-90s

This album from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has been created to commemorate the anniversary of the opening of the Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne on 24 October 1835. The market was part of Richard Grainger’s grand plan to redevelop the centre of Newcastle, much of which still survives today in what is now known as Grainger Town.

The photographs were taken by well-known local amateur photographer Jimmy Forsyth (1913-2009), who enjoyed spending time in the market talking to traders and taking their pictures. While Jimmy’s later work is not of such good quality as his better-known black and white images of Scotswood in the 1950s and ’60s, it is nevertheless a reminder of the times.

Flower stall, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Fruit and vegetable stall, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Fruit stall, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Gregg's, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Maud’s flower stall, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Maud’s flower stall, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Sarah Gaskin, florist, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1980s

Victorian market, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1985

Victorian market, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1985

Victorian market, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1985

Butchers, Christmas in the market, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Butchers, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Butchers, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Christmas in the market, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Christmas in the market, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Christmas in the market, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1990s

Jimmy Forsyth, the photographer himself in the Grainger Market. Jimmy used this image for his personal Christmas card in 2007