The Shambles:
York as a Place of Consumption
Directions to the Shambles Market
As a site of consumption, the city of York has a long and fascinating history. This podcast-walk post will explore some of this history from a sociological perspective. The famous Shambles Market in the centre of the city is particular relevance, transforming York into a thriving market town. The podcast-walk explores more recent transformations in consumption practices too, noting how these have led to a physical transformation of York’s urban centre such as the rise of the modern shopping precinct.
As the industrial revolution unfolded, so too did people’s shopping practices. In this podcast-walk, we will learn more about the early twentieth century department stores such as, Fenwicks, Browns and Marks & Spencer, all of which are located in the centre of York. We will learn more about how shifting experiences of class and gender were reflected in these new forms of shopping.
The last part of the podcast-walk will explore the most recent transformations to consumption in York city centre. It will investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the rise of home shopping in considering how these crises have impacted on consumption processes and practices. Looking forward, it will consider the role of the most recent technological advancements such as Amazon and social media in changing the urban landscape.
Listen to the podcast below to learn more!
Emma Casey is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at University of York. She has written widely about consumption and is especially interested in domestic or ‘at home’ consumer practices.
