London’s Smithfield Market to close as relocation plan ditched

London’s iconic Smithfield Meat Market, a staple of the city’s trading landscape for more than 800 years, is facing permanent closure by 2028, sparking widespread concern among farmers and traders.

The City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council voted on Tuesday (26 November) to withdraw its plans to relocate Smithfield, together with Billingsgate Fish Market, to a new consolidated site at Dagenham Dock.

Rising project costs, including construction, have made the move financially unviable.

See also: Abattoir sector near ‘tipping point’ warn meat processors

Under a new agreement, the corporation, which runs the site, will provide financial support to traders to help them transition to alternative premises while maintaining operations at their current sites until at least 2028.

An 1837 engraving of the Smithfield site © Adobe Stock

The current Smithfield market was built in 1868, but before that the site operated as a livestock market dating back to medieval times.

Dominic Twomey, the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, expressed disappointment over the dropping of the market relocation plans, but said he understood “the financial pressures that key investment projects are facing with soaring inflation”.

He added: “We are committed to continue working with the City of London Corporation to unlock the huge potential of the Dagenham Dock site to bring new employment uses and high-quality jobs for local people.”