Things are hotting up in the Square Mile, and no, we’re not talking about the heatwave. The City of London Corporation has laid out a timeline for the opening of the new Smithfield and Billingsgate markets.
The news follows the revealing of the opening date of the long-awaited London Museum, which has relocated to part of the old Smithfield site. Part of the location is also being transformed into a food market, with vendors and cooked food stalls.
These upcoming features will go some way to plugging the gap set to be left by the iconic Smithfield Meat and Billingsgate Fish markets. Plans to move both historic markets from their long-term central London locations were announced by the corporation in 2022 and their new shared home on Albert Island in Newham’s Royal Docks was confirmed last year.
Now, the City of London Corporation has revealed a date for the move.
The new combined market is due to be fully fitted out and operational by 2029, provided the Private Bill regarding the move receives Royal Assent by mid 2027.
Once Charlie gives the plans the green light, it’s predicted to take around two years for the new site to be built and for Billingsgate and Smithfield traders to vacate their current homes.
The Corporation has agreed to support traders with a hefty compensation package during the transition, but won’t oversee the management of the markets once the move is complete.
Currently, traders at both markets have no room to expand and grow their businesses due to a lack of space. The move also shifts the markets outside the London Congestion Zone, meaning they would be able to extend their trading hours.
Major redevelopments are planned for both the existing Smithfield site in the Square Mile and the Canary Wharf-adjacent Billingsgate once traders relocate to Albert Island.
Did you see that Stratford could be getting a huge new food and arts destination?
Plus: a vast new food hall is coming to one of London’s major train stations.
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