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FACTS
| Markets are the oldest trading undertaking Coventry City Council possesses.
In the 12th century markets were held in both what was then called the Priors half and the Earls half of Coventry.
In the Earls half, Ranulph III, Earl of Chester, in 1218 was granted an annual eight day market in the city known as Trinity Fair which was later known as the Corpus Christi or the Great Fair. In the early 14th century the men of Earls half claimed they had for some years bought and sold goods in Earls Street and in 1346, the men of the Earls half were granted a market and fair by Queen Isabel.
Coventry City Councils' Market Charter by Edward III is dated 11th April 1346 unfortunately the original document never survived, however the content is recorded on Rolls in London.
For centuries, Coventry's market was held in Cross Cheaping (originally known as the Corn Market). The word 'cheapening' itself signifies 'market'. Dominated by the Market Cross the market comprised a number of benches in the open with a majority of traders displaying their wares on the footpath or the roadway. It was only when the Market Cross fell into ruin did the traders tend to distribute themselves in Great Butcher Row and the Bull Ring. It was the vegetable stalls that retained sole possession Cheaping.
Street names were derived from particular markets dependant upon their locality (for example: Ironbridge Row from the 13th century and Potters Row from the 14th century). The official meat market was situated in Butchers Row and this was the locality in which most of the butchers lived with their dwelling houses, shops and slaughterhouses all connected to each other. Close by in Palmer Lane stood Scalding House this was where all the butchers were required to scald the beasts after the slaughter. Fish was sold outside Priory Gate during the 13th century; corn, oats and peas were sold in West Orchard in the early 15th century and the sheep market was held at the junction of Pool Lane and Cook Street. Cloth was sold at the old Drapery at the corner of Palmer Lane and bread at the east door in the boundary of Priors half.
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 |  | After watching Alvin Hall obsessively on video repeat, I now feel I have a few gems of advice to pass on from my years of hardship as a student.
I know it's even more important to keep your funds under control now that grants have gone out of the window. So here's my small contribution - Calvin Call's stingy student top 10.
1. Keep a spending list
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Ok this sounds really dull, but I promise you if you keep a spending list for a month you'll be amazed where your money goes.
The first few months are really expensive, so that's not a true reflection, but after that your spending list should reveal loads. Look at where your cash goes and think about how you can reduce it.
Are you buying sandwiches? Always drinking in bars? Using taxis instead of the bus? Changing small things like this can add up to save £150 a month.
Ìý2. Do the cash point trick
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| Ìý |  | Our hero, Alvin Hall
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Once you've kept your list, you'll know how much (or how little) you can get by on.
The trick now is to take that amount of the bank each Monday and stick to it (pretty much).
I reckon a keen student of my budgeting plan can manage on £30 - £40 per week hard cash, after rent and bills.
ÌýIn a true Alvin Hall style, I'm not going to compromise on this one. I've heard all the excuses but, believe me, you DO have time to work occasionally.
There are many options, the most common being bar work and waiting tables. You can get jobs in the student unions and elsewhere within Coventry and Warwick Universities.
There are also good careers agencies within both universities where they advertise work.
If you don't want the commitment of a regular shift you can join a number of agencies and get silver service skills. This can build up to be fairly regular work, but without the commitment.
Some of the local agencies also provide email facilities for applying for jobs online.
Ìý4. Drink before you go out
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| Ìý |  | The Varsity in Coventry is one of the pubs that has student offers
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Yes, you have to be a cheap-skate to survive being a student!
Drinking at home will help you survive the nightlife making sure you always arrive with a big smile on your face, knowing you only need to buy two more drinks for the whole night!
If you know someone that's going on a booze-cruise, thrown them £20 for 15 bottles of wine. It doesn't matter what it tastes like, that wine will get you and your mates ready for the pub on a cash-saving 15 occasions.
Alternatively, find your local discount booze store and use it.
When you do head out, don't forget to take your NUS card with you.
See our guide to cheap student clubs, bars and pubs by following the link on the left.
ÌýYou know this already, but lots of people still don't do it. As a student you don't pay tax (claim it back in writing before April if you have!) so the cash can really pile up even if you're on low wages.
Before the end of term join a few employment agencies, like those within Warwick and Coventry universities. You can call people you've worked for before and look in the local papers.
My advice is not to be too elite with agencies, either. Friends of mine have struggled with silver service and typing, while I've earned just as much having a laugh working in factories. Manual agencies often have more vacancies and can be more flexible with work, too.
ÌýBelieve me, you'll have an easier time without your own wheels. The costs really build up as insurance, tax, petrol, servicing, repairs never go away. Get a bike, a bus pass or walk. Student buss passes are as little as £61 a term in Coventry.
Ìý7. Travel by coach rather than train
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| Ìý |  | Pool Meadow bus station in Coventry city centre
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For those inevitable trips home, use the slow-coach rather than the pricey train. Remember you're a student, you have more time than money. Get a coach card and use the extra travelling time to snooze.
You can get coaches from Pool Meadow bus station in Coventry. Follow the link on the left for coach timetable and information.
Ìý| Ìý |  | Coventry Retail Market
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This one is the least popular bit of advise, but vegetables are cheap and they'll keep you healthy.
Prescriptions may be free to students, but days off work aren't. Buying vegetables from Coventry's fantastic indoor retail market is so cheap you can eat like a king rabbit for pennies. Follow the link on the left to see the Coventry retail market website.
If you're a student at Warwick University, then try to get yourself over to Cannon Park to do your food shopping. The small supermarket on campus is handy but more pricey.
ÌýAs a student you can get loads of free credit and free financial advise.
When things get tricky always talk to your bank. If pushed they can increase your free overdraft way beyond what they advertise. Of course this isn't great for our budget, but it always beats credit cards, loans and begging to your parents.
ÌýJust a last point that's often forgotten - if you're in a student house you need a TV license. It's an expense at the start of the year, just when you don't need it, but if you club together for one it'll save you cash and worry in the long-term.
Also, remember to return your library books on time, especially with those seven day loan books.
The tearful conclusion
You've come to me for help, you've let out all your emotions and I've offered support and advice. All I can do now, with my limited training of having watched Alvin Hall obsessively, is say your destiny is in your hands.
I know you are a good person and you want to change. I know I look good in polo-necks.
Enjoy being a student.
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