The north and south facades of the building were altered in 1881 and 1891; it was demolished in 1964, making way for the 1969 St Johns Shopping Centre, the western half of which occupies the hall's site.

Urban population increases in 18th and 19th century England and Wales due to industrialisation gave impetus to changes in the ownership and provision of physical marketplaces for the sale of foodstuffs and other products in towns and cities.

Characteristic of a street market, it provided little protection against inclement weather, which became a subject of very general complaint.

[6] The Corporation of Liverpool determined to remedy the observed problems by removing the market to a new location, protected from the weather and providing no obstruction to public thoroughfares.

[6][7] The structure was commenced in August 1820 and completed in February, 1822, to a design by John Foster, Junior, architect to the corporation, at a cost, exclusive of the land, of about £35,000.

An 1835 reviewer commented that "this ... if not the very first, was one of the first markets in the kingdom, in which the principle of covering in the whole under one roof was attempted; at least on a scale of any considerable magnitude.

"[6] The roof was constructed in five divisions, two of which were raised considerably above the others, forming a clerestory, pierced with windows providing illumination and, swinging upon their centres, allowing air to circulate.

[6] An 1835 review of the market comments:[6] The simplicity and convenience of the arrangement will be obvious on inspection, and do great credit to the distinguished architect by whom the building was designed.

The beautiful perspective formed by the vistas of columns 183 yards long, particularly in the evening, when illuminated by successive rows of brilliant gas lamps; and the grandeur of effect produced by the uninterrupted extent of vision in every direction of the busy scene, form altogether a picture that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

In the summer a delightful coolness pervades the atmosphere, while in the winter it is all that could be desired as a protection from the inclemency of the season.The design was also praised by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who visited in 1826[15] and sketched it in his dairy.

The hall was cleaned each evening by twelve scavengers engaged for that purpose, and two watchmen were employed to guard the property overnight.