London Smithfield Market to Close after 800 Historic Years

Smithfield meat market towers. Image Courtesy: James Ketteringham via Wikimedia Commons

The City of London Corporation Council has voted to permanently close the iconic Smithfield Meat Market and Billingsgate Fish Market. The closure is planned for 2028 and overturned previous plans to relocate Smithfield Market to Dagenham Docks, after relocations were deemed too expensive. The City of London Corporation plans to renovate West Smithfield to establish a new London Museum.

The name ‘Smithfield’ comes from the Saxon English phrase ‘smeth field’ meaning ‘smooth field’, as the location was once a smooth plane of land used for medieval livestock trade, jousts and public executions. The area was famously described in Charles Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’, with Dickens writing: “It was market morning. The ground was covered nearly ankle deep with filth and mire; and a thick steam perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed to rest upon the chimney tops, hung heavily above.” Now, the Smithfield market is the oldest poultry market in the UK, opening in 1875. Many butchers at Smithfields work for family-owned businesses passed down through multiple generations. 

Smithfields is located a stone’s throw from Farringdon station, just one stop away from King’s Cross. Some complain about the extreme levels of congestion around the meat market and believe this was a contributing factor to the decision. With over 100,000 tonnes of meat passing through Smithfield each year, the influx of lorries and vans is constant. The market is open from 00:00-7:00am, in order to avoid congestion zone charges which start at 7am. 

However, the sudden abandonment of relocation plans has stunned vendors and the closure has been heavily criticised by the community. They argue that the meat market should be protected by the City of London Corporation, given its historical and cultural significance. While the City of London Corporation has offered to provide vendors with compensation and relocation assistance, many argue that market vendors should have the right to uphold their business in Smithfield. A petition to ‘Save Smithfield Market’ on change.org has surpassed its goal of 15,000 signatures in less than a week.