Heritage Buildings and history of Market Square

The market square dates from medieval times, when Bromley was granted a market charter in 1205, though it’s first charter was granted by King Ethelbert of Kent, in 862, when it was known as Bromleag.

Until the 1830s the market square had a traditional wooden market building, with open sides, where the market would take place. This was then replaced by the Old New Town Hall, built by Coles-Child from his own bricks, that stood in the centre of Market square .

In the 1933 it had been found that the row of buildings between the High Street and market square made the road too narrow, and these were demolished, and the lovely ‘Old English’ style Arts and Crafts buildings placed in the centre.

Underneath our photo gallery, are links to more pages about the heritage buildings and history of Market Square.

Below is some old and recent photographs of Market Square:

mock-tudor buildings and a road shiny from rain
1920s view of Market square from the south with the Electricity Company’s chimney visible in the background
Looking towards Market square from the north part of the High Street
The original market hall in Market Square
The ‘Town Hall’ built for the town by Coles-Child at his own expense; it housed the police station, a cell, the fire-engine (which was evicted from the church) and free library
Market day in 1905
Market square
Snowy market square
Spectators for a fire in a building in Market square
Market Square corner with brick and black wood frames, tall chimneys and dropped roofs.
‘Island’ shops
Nicely proportioned early concrete building
1957 stylish building for Dunns in Market Square
fine old clock on the side of the building
Paynes clock build as part of the 1930s quadrangle, in Arts and Crafts Movement style, in Market Square.
Heritage Buildings – Market Square 6-8: Caters Supermarket now Lloyds & Bon Marche

Heritage Buildings – Market Square 6-8: Caters Supermarket now Lloyds & Bon Marche

Caters supermarket, Market Square, in the1960s The TSB and Bon Marche occupy the former ‘Caters’ store built in 1957, one...
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High Street No. 147-149 & 151-153 Demolished – The White Hart Inn

High Street No. 147-149 & 151-153 Demolished – The White Hart Inn

This much lamented ancient Inn dated from the medieval era and had been rebuilt as the commercial hub in the...
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High Street No. 160, Victoria Chambers, now Primark’s Annex – Heritage Building Profile

High Street No. 160, Victoria Chambers, now Primark’s Annex – Heritage Building Profile

This fine building is from the 1890s and built in the Arts & Crafts style with its characteristic Dutch influence....
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High Street No. 162 Medhursts, now Primark – Heritage Building Profile

High Street No. 162 Medhursts, now Primark – Heritage Building Profile

Eventually, Medhurst’s had this fine Art Deco /classical style department store built, in 1930, and traded as a family-owned business until...
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High Street No. 180-184 High Street (HSBC Bank) – Heritage Building Profile

High Street No. 180-184 High Street (HSBC Bank) – Heritage Building Profile

This classy building was erected in 1888 by the local butcher David Harris. It was designed by Walter Albert Williams...
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Market Sq No. 14-18 Georgian Terrace – Heritage Buildings

Market Sq No. 14-18 Georgian Terrace – Heritage Buildings

These buildings are the oldest buildings in Market Square. They were originally built as private houses, in the early 18th...
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Market square – Central block – Heritage Buildings

Market square – Central block – Heritage Buildings

These lovely black and white buildings are from the 1933 re-layout of Market square. They exemplify the culmination of the...
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Market Square No. 1-3 – Maunders Bakery now McDonalds

Market Square No. 1-3 – Maunders Bakery now McDonalds

MacDonalds occupies an 18th century shop which for generations until around 1971 was the Bakery of the Maunders family. Next...
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Market Square No. 20 – Town Pump & Darwin Mural

Market Square No. 20 – Town Pump & Darwin Mural

The town pump is in the corner of Market Square, with the Darwin mural  behind it. It stands 25 yards...
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Market Square No. 27, David Greig’s building – Heritage Building Profile

Market Square No. 27, David Greig’s building – Heritage Building Profile

Built in 1912 for the David Greig chain of supermarkets. It has an orate stone frontage in Neo-Baroque style. It...
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Market Square Nos 12-13 Cafe Rouge – Heritage Building

Market Square Nos 12-13 Cafe Rouge – Heritage Building

Cafe Rouge, formerly Herbert Collings Cafe Rouge occupies the first building displaying the transition from a small market town into...
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Market Square Nos 20-25 Former Dunns Building

Market Square Nos 20-25 Former Dunns Building

Dunns furnishers sold high-end stylish furniture from their market square shop. Rebuilt in Arts and Crafts shop after a fire...
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Market Square The Old New Townhall – Heritage Buildings

Market Square The Old New Townhall – Heritage Buildings

Neo-Gothic, 'Elizabethan' style, brick new 'Town Hall' built by the new Lord of the Manor in the 1863 at his...
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Market Square, The Charter Market – Heritage Buildings

Market Square, The Charter Market – Heritage Buildings

Market Square is the centre of the Old Town which, until the coming of the railway in 1858, comprised a...
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