Here are links to research pages on Trade & Industry relating to Bridgwater and the surrounding area. Much work needs to be done to recover more on the lost businesses and industries of the old town, and we would be keen to hear from you if you are able to contribute notes on any of these topics.
Also covered in this section are pages on transport (road, rail and shipping), as well as the town’s utilities, essentially the vital infrastructure needed to keep the town’s trade & industry working and moving.
Industry
Shops
Utilities
Transport
Ships & Shipping
Roads and Railways
Markets
Medieval Fairs and Markets
The Cattle Market, Penel Orlieu, 1875-1935 (‘the Old Market’)
The New Market, Lower Bath Road, 1935-c.2001 (‘the New Market’)
Hand-coloured picture postcard of a market on the Cornhill, with carriages waiting to pick up. This postcard was published by Walter Belcher, ‘the Library’ Bridgwater (this was Fore Street, on the east corner with George Street) D240/921. The postmark is Cannington 17 July 1909. It was sent to Miss Cann of 28 South Clifron Street, Lyntham, Lancashire and the message reads: ‘Dear Ada, I suppose I have really offended you this time, as I have not heard, but I suppose ‘what is to be will be’. Hilda.’
Links for Trade & Industry
Also see summaries of the town’s communications and industries from the Victoria County History.
