Legend has it that Gosport’s charter to hold markets dates back almost 1,000 years when in 1158 Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester – in consideration of kindness shown to his brother, King Stephen, who, in a voyage from Normandy, landed here after a storm – bestowed on the village of ‘Gods-port’ three market-days in each week.
Today Gosport High Street has two market days, Saturday and Tuesday. In recent years the volume of traders visiting the market has dipped however, it remains a hugely important part of the fabric of the town centre.
We are therefore working with traders to give market days a bit of a lift by encouraging themed markets and encouraging a broader range of traders.