North Lincolnshire Council continues to seek a new tenant to take over the Thursday produce auction markets held for many years near the railway station. Details can be found through this link if anyone reading this is interested in taking on the lease or knowns someone who might be willing to do so...
The last selling session took place in June 2019, following which a makeshift sign was erected outside the metal selling 'shed' (not by the council) saying: No Auction Until Further Notice'.
Stennett's ran these Thursday auctions on land off Manley Gardens for many decades until the late 1980s or early 1990s when they were relocated to the former Stockmarket site, off Barnard Avenue.
With Tesco's new store taking shape, the move to Station Road followed in the late 1990s, where they continued for many years, initially through Stennett's, though not latterly.
In our archive we've just found these pictures from the early 1980s when Thursday auctions were still being run down Manley Gardens (the site now being occupied by housing).
One of them shows the well-known directional sign on the side of the cafe on the corner of Bridge Street (now the China Royal restaurant & takeaway). No further marketing was required, as people got to know about Stennett's through word of mouth, with satisfied customers telling friends and family.
There were large attendances at these auctions and people came from far and wide to join Brigg residents in stocking up with produce - often obtained at bargain prices. Eggs, butter, poultry and even pigeons were purchased, together with many other items on a lengthy list.
On all three sites, many auction visitors 'made a day of it' and went on to call at local pubs, eateries and shops to the benefit of the local economy.
