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First Posted:
29/08/01 Last Updated: December 2005
Writer: John Freeman Photos © John Freeman
 OLD-TIME
MAGIC!
It's one of Lancaster's unsung and some say hidden gems, simply
because for many it's on "the wrong side of the street". And yet for
those who do make the effort to visit, you'll find even they
are often surprised by what they discover -- including a friendly cafe!
Nestling between Lancaster's historic almshouses and Crow's Restaurant
on King Street is the Assembly Rooms, an 18th-century building whose
upstairs rooms now host the world-famous LUDUS dance company, while
on the ground floor many different stall holders offer a wide selection
of collectables, from music and antiques to jewellery and period clothing.
The building was originally one of Lancaster's main public venues and
was built by the trustees of Alderman William Penny, also responsible
for the alms houses next door. The building fell into disrepair, but
after refurbishment the ground floor became the venue for many of the
stallholders who lost their pitches on the old Lancaster Market balcony,
after that burnt down in the 1990s.
Now it is a venue of another kind -- a meeting place for the collector
and the shopper, the former seeking some unexpected rarity among the
many stalls, the shopper probably stopping off for a well-deserved cup
of tea after battling the bustling crowds in Market Street.
After something of a lean period, the Assembly Rooms again has a host of stalls encompassing all manner of collectables and clothing.
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Lynne from Bebe Babettte. "I love
the individual style of the stalls," she says of the
appeal of the Rooms.
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"I love the individual style of the stalls," says Bebe Babette stall
holder Lynne, which sells (and hires) period costume -- everything from
Victoriana to
1970s retro. "There's more to life than the high street," she adds. Lynne is
perhaps one of the longest-serving stallholders. Her offerings of 20th century
period clothing -- dresses, hats, jackets and accessories -- would surely make
any
costume designer drool on sight. One wall of the Rooms is a stunning array of
two centuries of fashion including many rare and sought-after items.
As the Rooms begin to fill up with lunchtime customers I can see what
she means -- teenagers, senior citizens, everyone, it seems, is on the
look out for something that little bit different.
The Old Book and Curiosity Shop of Mister Titus Groan is
a fabulous treasure trove of secondhand books -- some excellent science
fiction titles
can always be found -- and collectibles. Stall runers Steve
and Lynn have a great eye for the quality, and I've picked up a few
really good items at an affordable price.
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| A cornucopia of period
fashion, ephemera and collectible awaits you in the Assembly Rooms |
Babs Bits & Bobs has been in the room for many years.
If you're looking for ephemera and collectibles, this is one place
to
look. Film stuff is often located at an agreeable price for buffs
Lemon is a recent addition to the Rooms -- and there
are some great clothes and unusual gifts to be found.
Right at the back of the Assembly Rooms is a friendly cafe -- great
for dropping in for a coffee or snack. But be warned, it gets quite
busy!
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