Docklands site identified for London’s historic meat and fish markets

London’s iconic meat and fish markets could be relocated to a new site in the capital’s Royal Docks after a deal between the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

A memorandum of understanding has been agreed by the Corporation, which has been responsible for the market for centuries, and the GLA, which owns the waterfront site in Newham.

The announcement puts an end to a period of uncertainty for traders at Smithfield and Billingsgate, after the collapse last autumn of a previous plan to relocate them to a site in Barking & Dagenham.

The two markets are currently located in Farringdon and Poplar, respectively, but the City views the locations as too constrained and the buildings no longer fit for purpose. One former market building at Smithfield has already been closed and is currently being redeveloped as the new home of the Museum of London. 

After the planned Barking & Dagenham move fell last autumn through, due to spiralling costs, the City said it would help market traders search for a different site within the M25, but also put forward a parliamentary bill to remove its statutory duty to provide the markets.

As existing legislation requires the markets to be provided in their current locations, the proposed move to Newham depends on the passage of the bill.

The bill had received some opposition from a group of Billingsgate market customers, due to concerns that the market could be shut without a replacement site being identified.

Traders from both markets welcomed the announcement of Albert Island in the Royal Docks as a preferred site for relocation.

Tony Lyons, chairman of London Fish Markets’ Association, said that while there was “more work ahead of us to design a new, modern market”, the identification of a site would “hopefully put people’s minds at rest”.

He added: “Finding a site just a few miles away means we’ll still serve our customers while vastly improving both our working environment and ability to expand.”

Greg Lawrence, chairman of Smithfield Markets Traders’ Association, said the announcement was a “significant step forward” and put them “well ahead of where we thought we’d be by Christmas”. 

“This location offers Traders the space and opportunity to grow our businesses while continuing to serve customers across London and the South East,” he said. 

Royal Docks is owned by the GLA and currently has planning consent for around 750,000 sq ft of development, as well as a new boatyard.

The Royal Docks is the capital’s only designated enterprise zone and is part of the Royal Docks & Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area.

According to the City, most traders at both markets have agreed to move together to a new site, with the remainder planning to transfer their business to others. A new onsite food school will also be delivered as part of the move.

The markets will be known as New Billingsgate and New Smithfield respectively once they relocate.

The move will be subject to planning permission from Newham council. As announced last year, the markets will continue to remain open at the current locations until at least 2028. 

The City will shortly begin conversations with delivery partners over plans to move the markets to Albert Island.

It plans to turn the existing Grade II* listed Smithfield building into “an international cultural and commercial hub”, while Billingsgate will be redeveloped to deliver around 4,000 new homes and a new bridge between Poplar and Canary Wharf.

Work is underway to determine the future use of the 42-acre Barking Reach site in Barking & Dagenham.