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"The Barras Queen" |
Maggie's Story |
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SHORTLY AFTER THE TURN OF THE CENTURY A YOUNG WOMAN CREATED A TRADING SITUATION IN THE EAST END OF GLASGOW, WHICH HAS NOW BECOME RENOWNED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS; "THE BARRAS" |
MARGARET RUSSELL, DAUGHTER OF AN AYRSHIRE POLICEMAN GOT HER FIRST TASTE OF BUSINESS AT THE TENDER AGE OF TWELVE, WHEN SHE LOOKED AFTER A FRUIT BARROW BELONGING TO HER MOTHER'S FRIEND, IN A STREET IN PARKHEAD, GLASGOW.
SHE THRIVED IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND SAVED UP ENOUGH MONEY TO OPEN A SMALL FRUIT SHOP IN BRIDGETON (EAST END GLASGOW). IT WAS DURING ONE OF HER REGULAR VISITS TO THE FRUIT MARKET THAT SHE MET JAMES McIVER, WHOM SHE LATER MARRIED.
TOGETHER THEY SET UP BUSINESS AT A YARD IN THE DISTRICT OF CALTON WHERE THEY RENTED OUT HORSES AND CARTS TO TRADERS WHO HAWKED AROUND THE WEALTHIER STREETS OF GLASGOW. SOON THEY ACQUIRED MORE GROUND, THIS TIME IN MONCUR STREET (GLASGOW EAST END) WHERE THEY RENTED OUT STATIC BARROWS TO TRADERS TO TRADE TO THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAY MORNINGS.
THIS IS NOW THE PRESENT SITE OF GLASGOW BARROWLAND
(NOW AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS "THE BARRAS")
Click on Image above to see more Photos of the Barras Market History
Memories Of A Glasgow Childhood
Contact
Telephone: 0141 552 4601
Facsimile 0141 552 4997
