Wrexham's markets and fairs made the town central to the economy of North Wales. Farmers' wives sold poultry, eggs, butter and vegetables on Hope Street, the butchers traded from Abbot Street, while High Street was for the craftsmen's stalls.

Traders came from Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire to sell their goods, especially during the important March fair. Purpose-built market halls were built in the late 18th century: Jones's Hall on Queen Street for linen and fancy goods and Yorkshire Square, below St Giles' Parish church, for the cloth dealers.

The Beast Market, at the end of Charles Street, attracted farmers from throughout the borders. Cattle drovers drank in pubs, such as The Horns Inn and the Jolly Drovers, on Bridge Street and Pen-y-Bryn.

The homes of the wealthy such as Bryn y Ffynnon (Priory Lane), Plas Gwern (Tuttle Street) and The Mount (Mount Street) meant there was money in the town. This potential business attracted tradesmen and craftsmen. In the early 18th century there were over 100 different trades in Wrexham including clockmakers, wig, hat and bodice makers, tobacco cutters and spectacle makers - all signs that the inhabitants could afford their luxuries.

Catherine Jones holds all that garden and parcel of land called Place y Kiln and a kiln with other buildings thereupon remaining, between the streets called y Place hen and the lampint.
John Norden, king's surveyor, 1620

We present Thomas Baker for refusing to suffer the towne people or others to sell fish, lemons and other fruits for the comoditye of the towne and country, unless they pay extortion.
Session of the Denbighshire Grand Jury, 1663

I, John Jones, doe assign over forty boards, 17 butcher's trestles and 12 shoemakers standings.
Memorandum on the sale of No.30 High Street, Wrexham

We present Thomas Baker for stoppinge and blocking up the passage or Arches under this buildinge and refusing to suffer the towne people or others to sell fish, lemons and other fruits, which they bring from Chester, and other places, for the commoditye of the towne and country, unless they pay extortion. And we are informed, he hath refused to suffer the stockes to be put under the shade, some of us having known people almost perished there in by reason of a sudden storme. We are requested to motion that while Justice is here above, yet extortion and opp'sion be not below upon the poorer sort that travel for their subsistence and the towne's necessary use.
Presentment of the Denbighshire Grand Jury,
Town Hall, Wrexham, 1663.

Honoured Sir
This is to inform you that lenden faire proved very bad. I have sould but 20 beast for grass is very short hereabouts and I designe to send ye remainder to bush faire which is upon Friday next being ye 29 of August. And what I shall doe there you shall here by ye first oportunyty which is all from your most humble servant. Richard Evanse
Letter from Richard Evans, drover, to Sir Richard Myddelton, August 13 1701

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