As early as 1610 there has been shops within the building named 'Market Place', later to be known as 'Market House'. The building was named market house because of its use as a daily/weekly market for surrounding villages. The corn market, which was held each Saturday of the month, was one of the most important markets in the country.

The market grew, holding other goods, including livestock and other agricultural products. This shows how important Tarring market had become. Tarring was the most important town in the area in the eighteenth century. The 1798 directory lists Tarring as a market town and refers to Findon, Broadwater, Sompting ect as nearby villages. Around 1778 the old market house was demolished, and was replaced by the present building.

Fenner's grocery shop occupied the present building by 1872, and continued in business until just before the first world war. The shop was then occupied by Hales the baker, and was also the post and telegraph office until the thirties. The building was then taken over by Roberts the wine merchant. We then see it change to Peter Dominic wine merchant before the building is then bought by 'First Quench' and becomes Thresher wine shop.