Traders left Loughborough market and set up stalls on the University campus, whilst academics conducted their lectures in the centre of town for the first time ever.

The ‘Market Lectures’ project was developed by design collective Something & Son in collaboration with Charnwood Borough Council, Love Loughborough and Charnwood Arts.

Something & Son explored the relationship between two of Loughborough’s key features – its markets and the University and shook up the traditional patterns of trade and academic protocol to bring the two locations together.   

The University Market was declared open by University Chancellor Robert Allison and the Mayor of Charnwood, John Capleton. Traders included Danny Round’s fruit and vegetable stall, Barry’s Eggs, Picks Organic Farm, Brockleby’s Pies and more.

Over the two days following, a handful of brave lecturers migrated to Loughborough market and conducted seminar sessions and public lectures including an English seminar on T.S. Eliot, a business and economics lecture and a drama lecture exploring the history and science behind the reasons we laugh.

As part of the commission, Something & Son designed a symbolic structure which functioned as both a market stall and a small lecture theatre to form the centrepiece of both the market and lectures.

Director of LU Arts, Nick Slater, said: ““The project was a huge success and we were delighted to see how well received the market stalls were on campus. A lot of students purchased goods which was encouraging for the stall holders who agreed to take part.

“I would also like to thank our academics who braved the elements to conduct lectures in town which were witnessed by both students and members of the public and many passers-by involved.”