By the early 18th century, Market Place was surrounded by low thatched cottages and large three-storey town houses built by the local gentry.

[2] At its southern end are (in line, from north to south) the Jubilee Lamp (erected in 1887),[3] the whipping post,[4] fish stones,[5] market cross[6] and stocks (each Grade II listed).

[12][13] On 5 March 1732, a fire broke out in the square, resulting in the destruction of all of the properties on its western side.

[14] Most buildings at this time had thatched roofs, as described by Henry Fishwick in his 1885 book Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palatine Counties of Lancaster and Chester, Volume 8.

[15] The first purpose-built police station in the town was erected on the eastern side of Market Place in 1895, using the shell of the former home of the Walmsley family.