Ellie Ames 27 November 2024

Historic London markets set to close

Historic London markets set to close image
Billingsgate Market. Image: Londontog

Two of the capital’s oldest food markets are set to close after the City of London Corporation agreed to pull out of running them.

Plans had been made to relocate Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to a new site at Dagenham Dock, but the corporation has now said the move is unaffordable.

There has been a market on the site of Smithfield for more than 800 years, and it is now the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.

Billingsgate Market is the UK’s largest inland fish market.

The City of London Corporation said it would support traders financially with relocating and was ‘actively supporting’ them to find new sites.

It will deposit a Bill in Parliament today in a bid to end its responsibilities to operate markets at the sites, although they will keep running until at least 2028.

The corporation's policy chairman, Chris Hayward, said: ‘This decision represents a positive new chapter for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets in that it empowers traders to build a sustainable future in premises that align with their long-term business goals.’

Barking and Dagenham leader Dominic Twomey said the news was ‘disappointing’ but the council understood the financial pressures the relocation project was facing.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Lifeguard - Shift Pattern 2

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 1B (scp 3-4) £12.45 to £12.65 per hour
We are looking for an experienced lifeguard to perform lifeguard duties for the main and teaching pools Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Lifeguard – Shift Pattern 1

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 1B (scp 3-4) £12.45 to £12.65 per hour
We are looking for an experienced lifeguard to perform lifeguard duties Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Lifeguard – Shift Pattern 2

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 1B (scp 3-4) £12.45 to £12.65 per hour
We are looking for an experienced lifeguard to perform lifeguard duties Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Business Support to Senior Leader

Wakefield Council
£24,790 - £25,183, Grade 4, 37 hours, Permanent
Are you flexible, looking for a challenge and a role where no two days are the same? Then this is the role for you! Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Locality Team Manager - East

Wakefield Council
£49,764 - £52,805, Grade 12, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Locality Team Manager to lead and manage a Locality Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner