St Martin’s Rag Market

I think I love the Rag market more than anywhere else, or anybody else, I have loved in my entire life. A bold statement indeed but I sometimes think it to be true! I pop in every time I am in town whether I need anything or not. There is such a vast range of stalls it is easy to get lost.
The service and laughter you can have with some of the stall holders cannot be compared to high street stores. My main shout outs being to the fantastic woman on the wig and accessories stall, Lisa’s fancy dress and the lady on the seductive lingerie and hosiery stall!
There is something for everyone here; hardware, jewellery, fabric and materials, pet supplies, make-​up, underwear, clothes, vintage clothes, music, phone supplies, food, shoes… The list is endless. Obviously when visiting a market you have to sort the wheat from the chaff as some of it can be complete tat but there is quality buys and bargains to be had. I often get a discounted price. I urge anybody who hasn’t been yet to go, even if it is to just check it out. A truly wonderful place!

I forgot about this little gem of brum!
I’ve been coming to Rag market since the 80’s (yes I’m that old lol!) and still have items I bought back then (yes I’m a hoarder too!)
Great for bargains & banter!

So, not being terribly creative or crafty, I don’t have much call to visit the Rag Market that often. However, with the wedding coming up in July — I had a need to buy some materials for the outfit for the big day… Naturally I popped into the Birmingham market.
Now, I had, had a previous look online to get an idea of prices and materials — but when you’re colour matching, the internet isn’t ideal. After having a quick mooch at material types, I scooted down to the Market on Thursday to have a nose and see if they could provide what I needed.
I was after some blue netting and elastic to create an underskirt, as well as a ribbon to go around the dress. I had chosen, purchased and on my way out within 20 minutes. Result! The Rag market has many stalls offering everything from kitchen wares to pet care to materials. There are a few great stalls with rolls and rolls of different types and colours of materials to choose from — all priced per metre (although you can get whatever measurement you require).
In terms of ribbon, there is a brilliant stall around the centre of market area which offers loads of different decorative items for dressmaking and sewing. I asked if they had any blue ribbon and was presented with a whole drawer of different widths and shades to choose from. The lady who served me was lovely and chatty, offering me advice as I made my choices.
For the netting, I found a stall offering different types, thickness and colours just opposite the ribbon stall. I was able to feel the fabrics and compare the shades side by side before I made a decision.
I managed to score some lovely ribbon for 60p per metre and 3 lengths of Elastic for £1. The blue netting was the princely sum of £1 per metre also, so I managed to get everything I needed for just over a fiver! Before you go to an expensive haberdashery, make sure you pop into the Rag market. For choice, quality and price — it’s always a winner!

got all I needed for my rocky horror costume hat boa tutu stockings very entertaining with the stall holders was directed to diff stalls to get a better bargain great stuff have used the market before for eyebrow threading ’ what you see is what you get’ stop the snobs and get in there fabby its a real eye opener if you trail round to the food market the goats heads are unbelievable brilliant and its good for fish am a big fan

My sister & I visit the Rag Market every February, to coincide with the trade Craft Fair at the NEC. We love it!
Good choice of inexpensive fabrics n stuff that my sister uses to stock her stall in Ireland, (bringing great bargains to Southern Ireland) & I re-​stock my sewing room.
4 stars not five, because one stall-​holder sold me a fancy telephone promising it would work it did’nt & I live too far away to return it. Can also be cold outside so wrap well in winter.
Great stuff & well worth a visit.
Enjoy!

This market is worth a trip even if you’re not planning on buying anything, but just have some time to kill. And because it’s inside, it’s even worth going on a rainy day
There’s quite a few clothes stalls as you’d probably guess by the name, some selling new clothes, some second hand. Then there’s stalls selling fancy dress items, knives, cds and dvds, electrical goods, tools, fabrics… if you’re after a bargain in almost anything, this is the place to come, though I absolve any journalistic responsibility should the goods not turn out quite as expected!
In the last twenty years, central Birmingham has been given a face lift in many ways with many hundreds of thousands of pounds being spent on development. Going to the rag market seems like visiting the «real» or original spirit of Birmingham.
You’d be a fool not to visit.

St. Martin’s Market is more locally known as the world famous rag market and it is a staple of Birmingham cultural life and has been for many years. The range of stalls and traders here is quite simply remarkable. There is vintage clothing, retro clothing, jewellery and even a pet centre and to be perfectly honest that barely scratches the surface. All of these options and at prices which are far more reasonable than the main stream shopping centres. This place is an experience in itself and one which should not be missed on any trip to the Birmingham. Meet the people, grab a bargain and experience all of the wonders of Birmingham’s most famous market!

You can buy pretty much anything on Birmingham’s Rag Market. This huge indoor hall houses in excess of 65 stalls, selling everything from kinky underwear to dog food. I usually head down there to buy sewing accessories from the various haberdasheries, rabbit food (which is surprisingly hard to come by in the city centre), coloured tights, fancy dress items, vintage clothes and make up.
Lisa’s Fancy Dress stall is pretty good. You can rent items or pay a little extra to buy them and it’s quite cheap too. The Rag Market is also an excellent place to buy make up on the cheap. There are 3 or 4 stalls selling all the good brands as well as some unheard of stuff; you can even find Urban Decay items once in a while and they are at least a few quid cheaper than in Boots or Superdrug. Just be sure to get sealed items if available.
The Market is also a great place for people-​watching. As you can imagine, it is filled with ‘salt of the earth’ Brummies, as well as a few eccentric types, and there is usually a scuffle or two to keep you amused.
Here is a full list of categories:
Action Figures & Toys
Books
Candles & Accessories
Clothing

Computer Accessories
Cosmetics
Crystal/​Gifts
Curtain Accessories
Decorative Flowers
Electrical Goods
Fabric
Fancy Dress
Food
Footwear
Greetings Cards
Haberdashery
Hardware
Hats
Hosiery
Jewellery
Lingerie
Mobile Phones & Accessories
Net Curtains
Pet food
Smoking Accessories
Stamps
Tights
Toiletries
Workwear

I went expecting to find loads of great value fabric and haberdashery stalls, there are several there but nowhere near the number I’d expected so I was disappointed, maybe my expectations were too high.
I expected the“rag” market to be the market for fabrics etc and the other markets to be for other goods.
Very easy to find from train stations and shopping centres.

The rag market is a must see for anyone visiting Birmingham. An expansive collection of stalls stocking everything from crafting materials, children’s toys and discounted electronics to clothes and party costumes, there’s something for everyone, whether you go looking for it or simply stumble upon a bargain.
While it can be crowded a times, if you get down there early enough to beat the rush you’re sure to find unexpected treasure. The prices are all very reasonable, and there’s stock here you won’t find anywhere else.

Amazing selection of stalls. You could probably just about manage to only ever shop here and nowhere else.
There are stalls selling meat, fish and fresh fruit and veg which are very reasonably priced and by the end of the day you are sure of a bargain.
There are a number of fancy dress stalls too which sells some fabulous masks, I really want to go to a masked ball and wear one.
More practically there are a number of haberdashery stalls selling buttons, thread, ribbon and large lengths of fabric. Handy in a world where haberdashery is going out of fashion.
It can get very busy at times and on occasion the smell of the fish stall is over whelming. That said a truly Brummie experience.

a favourite past time still well worth a visit! with less stalls now there is still reason to go and see whats there! alot cleaner and friendlier then what it used to be! well worth a visit if your on a day out in birmingham!

I poped into the rag market last week, not having been there for several years and was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot cleaner and friendlier and with the credit crunch in mind, great value for money. There are a lot less stalls, but those that are there are actually worth visiting. They had a great stall selling Angel type perfume and bath salts, which i could not resist as well as some great fabrics for craft and art type people. Alot of the stall owners also sell on ebay, so if you want to avoid the extortionate parking prices your sorted.

Back in the day when I w3as in the ‘hippy chick’ thing and simply HAD to wear flares this was the place I would visit to pick up all my authentic 60s/​70s clothing at bargain prices, as I could be assured I was getting the originals.
Not only this, but the hustle and bustle of the busy market was equally as attractive on a Saturday morning, and reminiscent of Portobello Road, London or Camden Market.
There was always something to look at and always good things on offer to eat — it was very easy to waste a morning (and one’s wages) simply browsing the stalls.

I use this place to buy crazy costumes and to save money on fruit and vegetables. I really recommend it and its definitely worth a visit as there is something for everyone. Great also to buy materials and make sure you visit the costume shop for nights out. Things here are very cheap and there is an opportunity to barter if you think you are paying over the odds. Overall the market stall holders are very friendly and it beats shopping for fruit and vegetables at Tesco both in prices and in the experience. Recommended.

Birmingham Rag market used to be a great place.chaotic.great bargains. I used to buy tons of cheap lace and fabrics. I used to go out of my way to make an effort to go and look round and buy.
The new Rag Market looks very similar to any other market now. was a bit disappointed.
It was late on a Saturday though and stalls were beginning to pack away so need to give it another chance soon.
Stalls include: Fabrics (dress and houshold)/ haberdashery/​vintage clothes/​fancy dress /​foot wear/​jewellery /​pets etc.
To me Rag market means fabrics and haberdashery and other related items but now it seems to be a general market. Shame.
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9am-​5pm

Good deals but less vintage stuff than there used to be.

This market contains everything you could possibly require, from food to fruit! The fresh fruit is great and extremely good value for money. There is always a bargain to be had!

Fabrics, vintage clothes, shoes, books and general bric a brac are the order of the day at Birmingham Rag market. Just 5 minutes walk from the bullring is this indoor market houses jack of all trades stalls.
There are a couple of vintage stalls, mainly stocking men’s clothing, a couple of military stalls, shoes piled high in pairs bound tightly with elastic bands, jewellry, tights, pants, socks, and miles of fabric cut to the metre amongst other things.
There’s not only clothes but food stalls aswell, it’s definitely worth strolling down from town to have a butchers

Just below the Bullring is Birmingham’s Rag Market. Outdoor and indoor stands are vending year round in this huge marketplace. In a city that does not have enough book stores, its alright place to buy a few second-​hand books on the cheap. Loads of low quality make-​up is all over the place but the treats of the Rag Market are the Meat, Fish and Produce stalls. For a fun and thrifty shopping trip, pass by the Bullring and step into Birmingham’s market.