Shutting Smithfield shows a reckless disregard for London’s history

Virtually every aspect of London has changed beyond recognition in the past nine hundred years, but there has been one certainty: Smithfield Market, the city’s most famous and longest established meat market. Now even this great feature of London life looks set to be no more. The City of London Corporation has voted to withdraw support for Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market, meaning that the two markets will close permanently from 2028. The decision shows a reckless disregard for London’s history.

A market was first reported existing at Smithfield in 1133, and it gradually expanded in reputation, size and noise over the next seven hundred years. Charles Dickens wrote of it in Oliver Twist that: “It was market morning. The ground was covered, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire… the bleating of sheep, the grunting and squeaking of pigs… the shouts, oaths and quarrelling on all sides… rendered it a stunning and bewildering scene.