Birmingham's Bull Ring Market

You cannot beat the busy and vibrant atmosphere of a good old local market.  Whether it be the booming voices of the fruit and vegetable sellers, or the jostling of browsers and buyers at car-boot sale, markets have something for everyone.  Nowhere, it seems, is this more apparent than in Birmingham’s Bull Ring Markets.  Held right in the city centre, this host of indoor and outdoor markets brag over 350 stalls and 17 shops around the perimeter.  This regular attraction plays host to every type of market you could think of including Farmers Markets and Antiques Fairs.



The markets have a long history with the first cattle market opening in 1816 on the site which now forms part of the main wholesale market area.  Subsequent farming markets were opened over the century, but the beginnings of the market as Birmingham knows and loves it today was put into motion in 1974 and has been flourishing ever since.

With all these stalls, it is a wonder where the vast amounts of stock can be stored!  For the average car-booter, goods have often been stored around the house for years and a car boot sale at the Bull Ring is the perfect opportunity for some serious de-cluttering.  Other items, for the more serious sellers, can be bulkier and are often put in sheds or stored around the house.  However, before images of Derek Trotter’s overcrowded flat spring to mind, storage centres are also often used for the die-hard market vendors: it is important to remember that keeping market stock clean dry and secure is vital to the livelihoods of some of these market traders.  Especially when you realise that Birmingham holds one of the largest Antiques markets in the UK!

Traders from all over the country come to set up stalls and showcase their wares to prospective buyers that have usually travelled just as far!  The maintenance and storage of such valuable commodities can’t be an easy feat, especially considering the vast array of antiques on offer.  Self storage enables vendors to house their wares between trading days in a safe and secure environment.  Competition is fierce as thousands of dedicated buyers pile into the venue at 7:30am and buy, sell or just mingle until closing at half 12. With such impressive items on sale, it is no wonder some just come for the unbeatable lively atmosphere.



The Bull Ring Indoor Market is open Monday to Saturday 9-5:30pm and the outdoor market Tuesday to Saturday 9-5pm