Commemorative plaque 87784

This green commemorative plaque records: NEW SHAMBLES. New Shambles is an ancient lane linking Market Place with Finkle Street. Shambles were places where butchers slaughtered animals and displayed and sold meat. Blood and offal ran down the sloping yard to the river. Slaughtering ceased in New Shambles in the 19th century when a town abbatoir was opened. The old butchers' shops were open-fronted with wooden shutters that were drawn down to make a counter. The last butcher's shop in New Shambles has glass windows to protect the meat. Recorded plaque organisation: Kendal Civic Society.

New Shambles is an ancient lane historically significant for its role as a site of butchery and meat trade, reflecting medieval urban commercial practices until the 19th century when sanitary reforms led to centralized slaughtering.