Juvat Impigros Deus…God helps he who helps himself... Queensgate Market, Travel Writing

Juvat Impigros Deus…God helps he who helps himself.

This may sound like a church motto however it is actually quoted from a coat of arms which is located in Queensgate Market, Huddersfield, which just so happens to be a grade two listed building and the named Market Hall of the Year by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

Upon entering the building you will find yourself bathed in natural light which filters through the inventive and unique roof. The market is a popular venue but not to worry, you won’t feel claustrophobic due to the large aisles giving you plenty of space to wander by.

The smell is mouth-watering from freshly polished leather, to the aroma of books which have been pored over by eager readers, to the tantalising scent of freshly baked bread, sugared sweets, freshly washed linens and fabrics and hot food straight from the oven.

There are over 80 stands ranging from cosmetic stalls and the Joker 666 piercing and tattoo studio, to good, old fashioned butchers and produce stalls filled with cuts of fresh meat and the ripest of fruit and vegetables.

No matter what you seek in just a few hours you can collect the family groceries, get a new outfit from Style Lab and fulfil your grooming needs at the Nail Fairy – the makeup stall also does great deals on Rimmel London lipstick.

For the more practical person, you can have your clothes repaired at Sewfix Alterations before having your keys cut at Craven’s Shoe repairs.  Just don’t forget to have a light lunch at one of the nine cafés or takeaways before picking up some knitting patterns and freshly baked biscuits.

Opened on April 6^th 1970, the Queensgate Market Hall was built with a bespoke roof system made up of 21 asymmetric curved shells, which allows optimum light to wash over the market. On the outside of the market there are several panels of relief artwork which were individually sculpted by artist Fritz Steller.

Local architecture expert, Adrian Evans described the market as “A spectacular combination of architecture, engineering and art,” and in 2005 after the building was given a Grade two listing. Culture Minister David Lammy who registered the building stated: “It is an imaginative structure that combines innovative technology of its time to produce a dramatic space full of natural light with the striking focal point of the room.”

In 1671, Charles II granted a charter to hold a market to the Lord of the Manor – Sir John Ramsden.  The family operated the market but after disputes with traders sold the marketing rights to the Local Authority for £14,453 in 1876.

The market was relocated from Ray Street to its present day location at Brook Street and was restored in 1980 to its present day glory. Further work to erect a feature arch and upgrade the area underwent in 2000.

The coat of arms originally displayed on Queensgate Market’s wall was originally fixed above the entrance to a former county borough police station which was erected in 1898 and occupied a part of the market site before being demolished in 1967.

“Juvat Impigros Deus…God helps he who helps himself”, whether you’re a bustling buyer or an architectural admirer, nobody can deny the amount of effort and love which has been poured into this place.