1921

BARRAS MARKET

The McIvers bought land at Kent Street and Moncur Street and opened a market for traders who would pay for a pitch with many also hiring barrows from Maggie and James McIver.

1926

BARRAS MARKET

For six weekends in a row heavy rain over Glasgow seriously affected business, traders couldn’t earn a living, and neither could Maggie and James, something had to be done. The McIver solution was to build an open shed over the market area keeping traders and customers dry.

1928

BARRAS MARKET

The shed was now enclosed on all sides making the market wind and waterproof which saw stalls being built as permanent fixtures, hired to traders.

1930

BARRAS MARKET

The decade began with a real blow to the business, James died aged 49 which left Maggie to run the business and continue to raise her family, with grit and determination she kept the market going often uttering her favourite phrase ‘Work hard and keep the heid’.

1958

BARRAS MARKET

Maggie died peacefully at home in Burnside and the mantle was passed on to her children to continue running the business.

1983

BARRAS MARKET

As part of an upgrade, the Barras Arches were installed around the market at Stevenson Street and Moncur Street fronting on to Bain Street and one at each end of Kent Street.

2021

BARRAS MARKET

This was the year of the Barras centenary making it the oldest street market in Scotland. A programme of events marked the celebration with traders ‘Barras Patter’ set into kerb stones around the market.