A worker pushes newly-delivered pork into a wholesale butchers. The market was originally known as ‘Smeeth-field, the Old English word for smooth to describe the open area west of the Fleet river.A worker pushes newly-delivered pork into a wholesale butchers. The market was originally known as ‘Smeeth-field, the Old English word for smooth to describe the open area west of the Fleet river.
News that the City of London Corporation is to close Smithfield meat market and Billingsgate fish market Originally known as “Smeeth-field”, the Old English word for smooth to describe the open area west of the Fleet river, a market was first established here in 1133, surviving the Great Fire of 1666, and continuing as a livestock market, with 220,000 cattle and 1.5 million sheep annually being driven through the narrow and crowded thoroughfares at the heart of London by the middle of the 19th century.Victorian Londoners became concerned at the poor hygiene conditions and surrounding squalor.
The impact of the London congestion zone had a major impact, too. “It’s very different now. People have to come earlier to avoid the congestion charge. Parking is difficult. It’s not the same. Everyone wants to get away before 6.30am.” He doesn’t quite believe Smithfield has finally had its day. “No, I don’t think so,” he said, with optimism.