There were 77 trades people living in Corbridge in 1296. Only Newcastle in the county had more.
They included a weaver, miller, dyer, tailor, goldsmith, forester, shepherd, butcher and a slater. Records from that date also refer to “the shop on the south side of the churchyard where the goldsmiths live”.
In 1821 there were 16 shops in the village and by 1871 this number had increased to 26, several with splendid frontages that still exist today.
The display windows of most of the shops in Middle Street, with their wood-carved mullions and fascias, are virtually as they were in the 19th century.
Likewise their internal construction shows many features of earlier times.
Author Walter R. Iley, writing in the 1970s, called Middle Street “a happy street” and refers to the baker, newsagent, fashion shop, draper, inn and restaurant, ironmonger, fish shop, hairdresser and wool shop.
Today Corbridge is blessed with many independent shops and businesses of all kinds which attract both locals and visitors from far and wide.
Historic Corbridge 