Engravings of Barras Market catchphrases unveiled to mark 100-year anniversary

Today, vendors and shoppers gathered at the corner of Kent Street and Moncur Street, in the heart of the market, to witness the unveiling of engravings of legendary Barras catchphrases.

Still Game actor Gavin Mitchell, MP for Glasgow Central Alison Thewliss and local historian Peter Mortimer all joined to help officially open the permanent display that commemorates 100 years of the Barras, celebrated last year.

From left to right: Stephen Sheriff, from Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, Alison Thewliss MP, historian Peter Mortimer, actor Gavin Mitchell, and Josie Lucky Knickers' niece, Carol Fairfield.

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“Get yer lucky knickers”, “Come a wee bit closer madam, I don’t do mail order!” and “Hurry, hurry Mrs Murray!” are just some of the off-the-scale funny market catchphrases that stallholders could be heard shouting over the decades and are now etched in the Market’s pavements.

The engravings are part of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust’s My Historic Neighbourhood project, a programme of creative activities celebrating the heritage of communities around Glasgow - from the rich history of Govan to roller skating in Anderston, and the 100-year anniversary of the Barras Market.

The catchphrase "Get yer lucky knickers!" honours legendary Barras lingerie trader Josie Lucky Knickers.

Gavin Mitchell, best known for playing Robert "Boaby the Barman" Taylor in Still Game, recalled visiting the market with his grandmother as a child.

He said: “It’s smashing to be here, it’s a real honour and a privilege.

“I’ve been coming here for about 50 years, half the life of the market.

“My granny and I used to go to the Paddy’s Market on a Saturday and we came here on a Sunday.

“It’s a huge part of my history, the Barras, I just adore it and I come all the time, it’s very very close to my heart.

“Here’s to another hundred years hopefully.”

"Everything you need, from a needle to an anchor!"

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Alison Thewliss said: “I am so proud to have the Barras Market in my constituency, I’ve represented it now for 14 years so I’ve gotten to know some of the traders and some of the constituents who work here and come here for the shopping.

“And there was a time during that where we thought the Barras Market wasn’t going to survive. Things were on the decline, people didn’t want to come to a market in the same way.

“But every city has its great market and the Barras is Glasgow’s great market so it’s brilliant to see the investment that’s come in, things getting repainted, new traders, the next generation coming in to make it live, to make it breathe to last another 100 years.

“We need to respect and we need to remember that history and engraving the history in stone is a pretty good way to do that I think.

“Let’s make sure the Barras lasts for another 100 years and beyond because it’s brilliant.”

"Come a little closer madam, I don't do mail order!"

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Historian Peter Mortimer retraced the history of the Barras Market, since it started in 1921.

At the time, it was a safe space for people to trade from their barrows, created by Maggie McIver, who was sometimes known as the Barras Queen.

Over the next 50 years, it became the permanent fixture it is today, central to Glasgow's heritage, filled with memories and cherished connections of the local community.

"Work hard and keep the heid!"

He said: “Since that time, our generation has known Barrowland as a place where you can go to the dancing and importantly, you could go to a Saturday and Sunday market.

“And here we are, 101 years on from Maggie McIver, standing in the marketplace in the area that she bought and is still thriving today.”

Another iconic character of the Barras was the legendary lingerie trader Josie Lucky Knickers, whose family was also present at the event.

Her famous catchphrase “Get yer lucky knickers!” is now a permanent feature of Kent Street, where she used to trade.

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The Barras Market

The engravings were made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which awarded My Historic Neighbourhood a grant of £58,600 thanks to National Lottery players.

The project is also supported by Glasgow City Council and delivered in partnership with Articulate Cultural Trust, Friends of The Pipe Factory, and the Margaret McIver Company.