Petticoat Lane Market is a fashion and clothing market located on Wentworth Street and Middlesex Street in East London, just to the south of Old Spitalfields market, and near to the Brick Lane and Columbia Road Sunday markets. It is considered to be one of the oldest surviving markets in Britain.
Petticoat Lane itself was a street running roughly along the path of Middlesex Street, and was the site of the original market. The street was almost certainly named after the market, originally established by the Huguenot weavers who had settled in the area, to sell their products.

The market was always unpopular with the authorities, being largely unregulated and in some senses, illegal. As recently as the 1930's, police cars and fire engines were driven down The Lane, with alarm bells ringing, to disrupt the market. The rights of the market were only finally protected by Act of Parliament in 1936.

The market remains busy and vibrant, reflecting both its immigrant history and its continuing popularity with locals and tourists.

The prominent businessman, Alan Sugar got his start as a stall holder, in the market.

tags: london, market, shopping

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