The original street market of Oxford can be traced back to the 9th century. The first written reference was in the 12th century. In 1772 a committee was formed to combat the untidy mess and unsavoury produce. The committee soon built 20 butchers shops. After 1773 only meat produce was to be sold within this group of stalls. In the 19th century the whole of the covered market actually got its cover. It was all redesigned providing a lot more room and better facilities.