Sandbach has been a market town since the 16th century. It started with a small market each Thursday and two annual fairs, which lasted for two days, and were held around Easter and early September. Today the Thursday market is still held outdoors and is sited around the Town Hall and on "Scotch Common".

These days, the special market is held on May Day, and next year, 2002, it will be known as the May Day Festival and will be sponsored by Sandbach Town Council. One feature of the May Day market has been the Hog Roast which is located in the square near to the Saxon Crosses.

Visitors come from miles around to the weekly market and is particularly popular with people from the Potteries. A variety of goods are sold and include such items as :-

Scotch Common, seen in the photograph above, is normally a large car park apart from Market day. The Common derives its name from an incident that occurred during the English Civil War and referred to on a plaque displayed on the Common.

The Thursday Market in Sandbach
The plaque 'Erected jointly, Sandbach History Society, Rotary Club and Town Council', states "THE SCOTCH COMMON. This common land was formerly under the supervision of the Lord of the Manor and belongs to the inhabitants of Sandbach in perpetuity. On 3rd September 1651, a troop of Scots, defeated in the Battle of Worcester, arrived here and were set upon by the towns folk as they tried to pass through. Many were arrested and several were killed. The name survives in commemoration of the event."



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