The first market in Todmorden was held in 1802 by the White Hart Fold. It moved along to Church Street, between St Mary's Church and the Royal George by the 1860s. Dorothy said that the idea of a public market building was raised by the Local Board in 1866.

A committee was formed to look at acquiring land, the building needed and the costs involved. Joshua Fielden from Stansfield Hall attended the committee meeting regarding the ratepayer's contributions. The railway would allow two plots of ground by the viaduct and the river to be purchased for the proposed market buildings.

Another piece of land could be rented only from the railway, but one John Turner's house was in the way. An agreement was reached with the railways in 1869 and the land was fenced off.

Dorothy continued with many amusing tales of the "ding dong" arguments which occurred at the subsequent three public meetings held, attempting to gain ratepayers' permission to build the market.

The first public meeting was called by the Church Warden's in September 1869, as the Local Board had few powers. John Fielden of Dobroyd Castle was voted chairman and expressed hopes that a market would bring revenue to Todmorden. Dorothy then told of one Enoch Horsfall who continually contested the market proposals. He considered that the purchase of land, the building of a covered market and the arching over the river would create a costly burden on the rates. John Travis of Walsden asked if the land had already been secured from the Railway Company. This meeting was adjourned for one week to allow all local ratepayers to be present.

The second meeting brought forth over 400 ratepayers, said Dorothy. James Stansfield, clerk to the Local Board, wanted a vote on the original resolution not with amendments. Joshua Fielden said they would loose claim to the Railway Company land if it was not used for a market. He also stated that a covered market was important as 26 out of 52 Saturdays in a year were wet!

The Board wanted to get on with the project as it would bring "inestimable value" in revenue. They advocated a rise in rates from 1s to 1s 1d. Enoch Horsfall objected again; he thought the current street market would suffice and that the river arching would prove too costly. One Mr Gaukroger thought the proposed market would help the poor people of Todmorden.

John Fielden, Chairman, expected and hoped for agreement as the cattle could not continue to roam the street by the Church. Yet the majority of folk were still against the planned market, said Dorothy.

The third meeting was held in March 1870. John Fielden repeated the original motion once again.

On this occasion, Enoch Horsfall suggested that a limit of £5,000 should be allowed to the Local Board to spend on the market. By this time, the chairman had received estimates from various local building firms. The vote caused another division, but John Fielden declared the majority were in favour.