No longer the market centre of the town, the old marketplace remains an open space adjacent to the High Street, with many alterations since the 16th c. Corn was sold in the protected lower open arcaded section of the late 16th c. market hall, while green goods were sold in the open air to the N. Hence the 2 names, Cornmarket and Applemarket, used for essentially the same area.
The E block of buildings is modern and on the W side the lower 2 floors of the Plough Inn are probably 16th c., but 18th and 19th c. buildings stand on either side. The demolished Booth Hall originally stood at the N end of the market. The statue of Clive of India stands on the site with Owen's Mansion visible beyond, though it would have been on a narrow street running parallel previously. The square therefore would have been considerably smaller than at present, and easily congested; even now it is intimate.
Outdoor performances are recorded in the late 16th c. in the Applemarket or Cornmarket square. These performances likely used the Booth Hall as a backdrop.
The market hall is currently in use as a magistrates' court. The open square remains a pedestrian area with shops and offices lining its perimeter.
1596 The market hall was built replacing two earlier timber houses (1567) that stood on the same site and which also served the same purpose.
REED Shropshire 1.238, 247
