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Two of London’s most well-known markets, one selling meat and the other fish, are scheduled to shut in the next years, ending centuries-old customs.
The City of London Corporation, which oversees the historic center of the capital city, is scheduled to introduce a bill.
To Parliament on Wednesday to terminate its operations of the Smithfield meat market and the Billingsgate fish market, which have both been in existence since the eleventh century.
That occurs one day after the company declined to move the markets to a new Dagenham complex just east of London.
Due to the rising cost, which was caused by both the recent inflation and a rise in building prices, it decided to cancel the planned shift.
As of right now, the cost is around 1 billion pounds ($1.25 billion). Rather, the company will provide market traders cash remuneration and assistance under a new contract.
With activities continuing until at least 2028, the traders have some time to figure out what to do. Chris Hayward, the policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, 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.”
“We will contribute to the creation of opportunities for these businesses to flourish independently by withdrawing from direct market operations.”
The merchants will now figure out how to get to any location in London, either alone or in groups.
Wherever they end up, their workplace will undoubtedly be brand-new and gleaming. However, it will be devoid of tradition.
The market vendors at Smithfield usually start working around 10 p.m., selling mostly to the restaurant industry, and end up finishing up at about 6 a.m.
Just as the rest of the city is starting to wake up. In the past, pubs near the market were granted special permissions that allowed them to open early in order to service the vendors.
The Billingsgate fish market dates back to the early 11th century, before William the Conqueror arrived in England with his Norman army.
To end the Saxon era, according to Peter Ackroyd, author of the groundbreaking book “London: The Biography” published in 2000.
Later that century, Smithfield—which was constructed immediately outside the ancient Roman wall—became the preferred location for the sale of cattle, sheep, and horses.
Despite their reputation for intoxication, general unruliness, and violence, Smithfield and Billingsgate, together with other markets that sold flowers, fruit and vegetables, and chicken, were an integral part of London life for hundreds of years, according to Ackroyd.
For instance, Smithfield was referred to as a hub of “filth and mire” by the renowned British writer Charles Dickens, who made reference to the market in both “Oliver Twist” and “Great Expectations.”
The marketplaces are obviously not as filthy as they were during the Middle Ages thanks to the introduction of food regulations and many reconstructions.
But there was going to be another expensive reconstruction. While Billingsgate has been at its current location in London Docklands since 1982—a district.
That was abandoned at the time but is now home to the gleaming towers of the Canary Wharf financial district—Smithfield’s buildings are Victorian in origin, with some modifications, and suffered a significant fire in 1958.
While Smithfield is slated to become a cultural hub and home to the new London Museum, plans are on to construct 4,000 much-needed new homes at the Billingsgate site.