Modern Pitsea Market operates in the Northlands Pavement / Pitsea centre area, on the revamped market square created through the regeneration of the former Railway Hotel and market district. It remains close to Pitsea railway station, the High Road and the surrounding retail area.
The exact footprint should not be confused with the 1978 market layout. The wider area has been rebuilt and reorganised, but the market remains in the same general central Pitsea shopping district.
Current market information describes it as The Great Pitsea Market, a general outdoor market. The National Market Traders Federation currently lists market trading on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the Friday session described as vintage and general trading. Because operating days and times can change, visitors should check current market information before travelling.
The current operator describes having more than 250 traders on its books, although that does not mean all of those traders attend Pitsea simultaneously. Current market information commonly describes a busy day as having around 80–100 traders.
As an outdoor market, the individual line-up changes, so a fixed list of named traders would quickly become outdated. Current descriptions show that Pitsea continues the broad general-market tradition established over many decades. Typical modern trading includes:
The four domes belonged to the market's second home on Howard's Field. After the market moved in January 1978, three of the structures were dismantled and Dome A remained temporarily before also being removed. The land was subsequently redeveloped for retail use and became commonly known locally as the old market site.
The third market site was incorporated into the major 2010s regeneration. Old market buildings and several surrounding structures were demolished or replaced. New retail development altered the layout, while the market itself was relocated onto the former Railway Hotel part of the redevelopment area.
Pitsea Market is unusual because its history can be used to trace almost a century of change in the town. Its first home reflected the railway-centred Pitsea of the 1920s. The spectacular domes reflected the road-building and New Town era of the late 1960s. Northlands Pavement became part of everyday Pitsea life from 1978, and the present market reflects the regeneration of the twenty-first century.
Despite those moves, the basic purpose has remained recognisable: independent traders selling directly to local people. Food, clothing, household goods, textiles and bargains have appeared repeatedly throughout the market's history, even though individual traders and pitches have changed.