London's Oldest Meat Market, Smithfield, to Close After 900 Years

READ MORE: Smithfield's 900 years of blood and guts: How traders at London's oldest meat market worked in Dickensian 'filth and mire' for centuriesButchers at Smithfield Market told of their devastation today as City bosses took the decision to close the world's oldest meat market after 900 years at the heart of London life.

There had been plans to relocate the market and Billingsgate to a new £1billion development in Dagenham, east London, but the City of London Corporation put these plans on hold this month and yesterday voted to end them altogether. Mr Howgate said: 'It’s been here for 800 or 900 years, it’s not nice the corporation has said"it’s done’"

'We have always said that five years is a long time in this job and a lot can change. I think they’re saying that in 2028 or 2029 it’s got to go, a lot can happen in that time.' He said: 'The impact to your business is about how you adapt and plan, if you do it well like any business then you’ll be fine, if you stick to your old ways and try to carry on then you’re in for a tough life.

in 1546 during the reign of King Henry VIII, Protestant preacher Anne Askew was burnt at the stake at Smithfield as a huge crowd of people looked on.A meat porter pulls his loaded barrow at Smithfield Market in 1988 Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, previously 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.

However, Ian Wilson, a butcher for 26 years, said the art of the trade is in being able to adapt and if owners are willing to plan then they will do well Author Charles Dickens depicted Smithfield Market in his celebrated novel Oliver Twist. He described it as a place where 'filth and mire' rose 'nearly ankle-deep', as the 'reeking bodies of cattle' massed all around.

Demolishing a tower in Smithfield Market which was unsafe after it had been damaged by a German bomb, 1941 In 1945, as the Second World War neared its conclusion, a German V2 rocket that struck nearby caused an explosion which tore through the market buildings and caused more than 100 deaths. In 1980, King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, was cheered and clapped as he tested the weight of a barrow laden with meat

United Kingdom United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

London's Smithfield Meat Market, A Hub For 900 Years, Set To CloseSmithfield Meat Market, a bustling center of meat sales in London for over nine centuries and once a site for gruesome public executions, is closing its doors after a long history of trade and controversy.
Source: DailyMailUK - 🏆 7. / 90 Read more »

London’s Smithfield Market 'set to close' after 900 years - after Dagenham move haltedLondon’s oldest meat market could close for good, with a crucial vote on its future due to take place today.
Source: LBC - 🏆 17. / 74 Read more »

City of London Votes to Close Centuries-Old Smithfield Meat MarketThe City of London Corporation has decided to shut down Smithfield meat market, which has operated since the 12th century. Independent traders will receive financial support to relocate. The markets will remain operational until at least 2028.
Source: FT - 🏆 113. / 51 Read more »

Smithfield: Historic meat market to close after more than 800 years trading in LondonThere has been a meat market on the site for more than eight centuries, but after 2028 that is set to change after a corporation vote put an end to its ownership.
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »

City of London votes to close Smithfield meat marketPlans to move trading halls to a new, modern facility in Dagenham were shelved earlier this month
Source: ftenergy - 🏆 47. / 63 Read more »

London’s Smithfield Market at risk of closure after more than 800 yearsThe City of London Corporation has shelved relocation proposals for Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market.
Source: LBC - 🏆 17. / 74 Read more »