History

The Corn Exchange sign on the front of 17/18 Market Place, Sleaford is misleading. Sleaford Corn Exchange occupied the adjoining site at 19 Market Place. It was built by Kirk & Parry in 1857 and comprised the main exchange building at ground floor level, an extensive basement butter market and other ancillary accommodation.

Sleaford Corn Exchange  

The Corn Exchange was home to various organisations during its history including, for a period of time, the Sleaford Literary Society (a per-cursor to the town’s library which is now located in adjoining premises on the site of nos. 13-16 Market Place).

In 1964, the Corn Exchange front section was replaced with a building of modern appearance which is now occupied by two restaurants. Close inspection of the existing buildings suggests that it incorporates elements of the structure of the original Corn Exchange within the flank wall, rear wall and possibly within structures supporting internal ground floor dividing walls. Regrettably, there is nothing of historic, architectural or aesthetic significance in the existing structure or any of the original that has been retained.

The building which bears the ‘Corn Exchange’ sign in 2012 comprises nos. 17/18 Market Place and pre-dates the Corn Exchange building referred to the above. Its design and construction echo those of other buildings in the town attributed to Charles Kirk, architect and builder.

Inside 17/18 Market Place the building was originally arranged as shop premises with living accommodation to the rear and gardens running down to the River Slea to the south.

In thereabouts 1910, it is probable that the entire building was allocated to retail and commercial use and at which time the rear courtyard was filled with an extension to the shop which included further storage premises to the rear.

In 1969, a fire damaged much of the rear of the property which was partly demolished and replace with a two-storey, concrete-framed building.

In 2013 Dr Richard Shaw undertook an oral history project for Sleaford Museum Trust. The project included an interview with Jeanne Furnival. The interview recorded much of the social history of the Corn Exchange. A transcript is available as a pdf in the Relevant Documents section or follow the link to see the full interview.