About
Opening it’s doors for the first time on 9th September 1995 we are celebrating our 29th birthday for Scotland’s largest purpose-built indoor market with special thanks to all our Traders who offer fantastic deals on the goods on offer. The Forge Market is located on the east side of Glasgow on Duke Street, Parkhead just 10 minutes from the city centre and serviced by extensive public transport and we are seen as a Glaswegian institution that attracts customers and traders from far and wide.
Development started in the mid 1980’s on land that the previous owners acquired at Parkhead on the site of the former Beardsmore Steelworks. The first phase of the development was The Forge Shopping Centre, which was the first purpose built shopping centre to open in Glasgow. The next phase to the development was The Forge Market followed by a Forge Retail Park. The Forge Market is situated adjacent to the shopping centre on its own purpose-designed site.
The efficiency and appeal of the Market’s design was immediately evident as it had 100% occupancy from day one. The building was initially 65,000 sq ft of floor space but in 2003, because the stalls were constantly occupied and in huge demand the decision was made to extend the market – An extension was built onto three sides of the market hall increasing the internal sales space by an extra 20,000 sq ft.
This family friendly Market is centrally heated and all the stalls have mains electricity supply and secure roller shutter blinds. All traders have access into their stalls seven days a week with The Market being open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10.00 am – 5.00 pm to the general public.
The passageways between the rows of stalls are named after market themes such as ‘Rookie Street’, ‘DelBoys Way’ and ‘Carnaby Street’ and each is covered with a CCTV linked to high resolution colour screens which are monitored in the market office.
When it first opened, The Forge Market only opened three days on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but four years ago trading days were extended to include Thursdays. When the extra day was added, stall rents were not increased as a gesture of good faith to the traders.
The Forge Market is a general market that sells a wide range of goods, services and produce ranging from health to well being, personalised goods to high street fashion for all ages, key cutting to home furnishings and improvements, food and confectionery produce to collectibles and hobbies. The Market contains 180 individual units of varying sizes occupied by over 80 individual traders. There is also a two level Benson’s café which can seat up to 200, a Coffee Shop, Seafood bar, Chinese Restaurant/Takeaway, Ice Cream Parlour, Slush and Donuts Kiosk plus an Amusement Arcade. For the kids we have Trampolines, Bumper Cars and “Wee Play” a large soft play area located outside in our Trade Units 1-3. Outside also in Trade Units 4-5 we have Jem Carpets stocked with the latest in all kinds of flooring. Continuing with what’s inside the Forge Market , we have modern public toilets with disabled facilities and a baby changing room. We also have wheelchairs available* to let for those in need (*subject to availability) It even has an ATM machine and its own dedicated National Lotto kiosk.
One of the huge benefits of The Forge Market is that for shoppers it has its free dedicated car park for two hours with spaces for over 440 vehicles plus 30 disabled parking spaces between Thursday – Sunday 10.00 – 5.00pm with charges then implemented thereafter. (1-2hrs – free / 2-3hrs £1.00 / 3-7hrs £4.00) This applies to all drivers.
The Forge Market is the ideal place to kick start a new business. We offer great start up packages for anyone considering about starting and trying out a new business venture but don’t want the large overheads, rates and long term leases that usually tie you down if operating elsewhere. Its also the ideal opportunity for Young Enterprise.
We continually work alongside our community and throughout the years we regularly have different awareness days, events and attractions taking place and this year “it wont be any different” Please continue to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages ” The Forge Market Glasgow” or our “What’s on” section on our web page for further details on what’s happening throughout the course of the year.
So what are you waiting for! Don’t be left out in the cold while shopping for bargains, come in and have a look.
Opening Hours: Open Everyday From Thursday – Sunday 10.00 – 5.00pm
- Please note that we do not open Bank Holidays – See post below for Xmas opening Hours
The Forge Market would like to thank all our loyal customers and traders for continuing to support us throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming you all again.
