The markets of Shrewsbury are plentifully supplied with the luxuries and conveniences of life. They are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The first is small; that on Saturday is, perhaps, not surpassed in the display of eatables, by the market of any town of a similar size in the kingdom. Butcher’s meat is sold at the single and double rows on Pride Hill, and at the Shambles in Fish-street. Butter, Eggs, and Poultry of every description at the Butter Market. The green market is held in the square before the town-hall, where there is generally a luxuriant supply of vegetables, and of extremely early production. Wheat and all sorts of grain are disposed of in the market-house. With milk the inhabitants are tolerably well supplied by persons of the town who keep cows expressly for the purpose; but “art, ever jealous of nature, and benevolently careful of the stomachs of the inhabitants, has, by the application of a certain useful element, wisely deprived it of its luxuriant richness.”
The Fish market is well supplied. Not only the Severn salmon, which is caught at their doors, but a very considerable quantity of different descriptions of the finny tribe from Wales, are regularly exposed for sale at tolerably moderate prices. For its excellent brawn, Shrewsbury has long been distinguished.
Fairs.
Fairs are held here on the second Tuesday and Wednesday in every month.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES AND REFERENCES.
Inns and Taverns.
The Lion Inn, on Wyle Cop, is kept by Mr. Tompkins. For elegant accommodation and the greatest attention, it is not surpassed. The London, Holyhead, Newtown, and Ludlow mails run to this house; also coaches regularly from hence to London, Holyhead, Worcester, Hereford, Bath, Cheltenham, Birmingham, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, and all parts of the kingdom.
The Talbot Inn, in Shoplatch, is kept by Mr. Jobson. Extensive premises with requisite accommodations. Coaches run from this house similarly to those from the Lion.
The Raven Inn, in Castle-street. A spacious and convenient house, with excellent accommodation. As a house frequented by commercial gentlemen, it ranks first in the town.
The Raven and Bell Inn, on the Wyle Cop, has extensive and good accommodations for travellers, and is well frequented.