History

Back in the twelfth century the land in these parts was owned by one William Mauduit who was a Chamberlain at the Court of King Henry II; so it seems likely that he was the founder of Market Harborough, especially as he had recently carried out similar improvements to his other estates. His intention was, simply, to develop his land by the creation of a Market Town.

The land around the main route through the centre of this new town was divided into yards, or "Tofts" as they were known at the time, records suggest that there were forty eight such yards, these yards, and the buildings that fronted them, were created for entrepreneurs of the time to start up, and run, businesses from.

Joules Yard, which is situated on the north side of Market Harborough served as storage for several High Street buildings at one point in time, building numbers haven't always been used, but there is evidence that at one point the yard was used by the shops that are today numbered as fifty three, through to fifty six High Street.

Many businesses have occupied these premises since the thirteenth century, some of the most recent in the last two centuries have been music shops, jewellers and bakeries, but perhaps one of the most notable inhabitants of this small collection of buildings has been Faulkners Shoes, trading from number fifty five High Street from 1901 to 1986, Faulkners was so significant to the town that today its old workroom has been preserved as one of the main features of the Market Harborough Museum.

The yard behind these buildings has now been developed in to a multi faceted business called Joules Yard, offering a wide range of products and services to the town of Market Harborough, whilst still retaining all the charm and elegance of the bygone Victorian era.

You can find out a little more about what we have to offer by using the menu down the left side or along the bottom of this page.  Also click here to read an article about us which was featured in "Harborough Living" magazine.