Why is a thousand-year-old fish and meat market going to close in London?

London's two major fish and meat markets are going to close in the coming years. With this, the traditions of the 11th century i.e. medieval times will come to an end. According to information, both these markets have existed in some form or another in the city center since the 11th century.

The City of London Corporation, the capital's governing body, is set to introduce a bill to parliament to end its responsibilities to run Billingsgate fish and Smithfield meat markets.

The corporation will not relocate due to inflation.

Actually, initially there were plans to shift this fish and meat market to a new location in Dagenham, just east of London, but later the corporation decided not to relocate these markets.

According to reports, the corporation decided to back out from the relocation due to rising costs as inflation has risen recently and construction costs are also witnessing a hike.

Traders will be given compensation and advice

Now, instead of relocating these markets, the corporation will provide compensation and counselling to the market traders under a new agreement. The traders have some time to decide what to do, as for now, its operations will continue until at least 2028.

Chris Hayward, head of planning at the City of London Corporation, said: 'This decision marks a positive chapter for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets, as it empowers traders to build a future in premises that are aligned with long-term business goals.' He said the Corporation would help create opportunities for these businesses to flourish independently, by stepping back from direct market operations.

After the corporation's decision, the traders now have to decide where they want to shift their shops in London. They also have to decide how they will go to the place where they want to shift their shops, on their own or with a group.

Traders work all night in Smithfield

Market traders in Smithfield usually start work at 10pm, mainly selling meat to restaurateurs, and finish at around 6am, just when the rest of the town is waking up. Pubs around the market traditionally had special licences allowing them to open into the early hours of the morning to serve the traders.

Both markets have been in London since the 11th century

Peter Ackroyd, who wrote 'London: An Autobiography' in 2000, says Billingsgate Fish Market has its roots in the early 11th century - when William the Conqueror arrived in England with his Norman troops to end the Saxon reign. While Smithfield, built just outside the old Roman wall, became a popular spot for the sale of horses, sheep and cattle at the end of that century.

Ackroyd explains how for hundreds of years Smithfield and Billingsgate, along with other markets selling flowers, fruit and vegetables and poultry, were woven into the fabric of London life. Even the great British author Charles Dickens mentioned these markets in both 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'.

Smithfield's buildings date back to the Victorian era, with some later alterations, and were gutted by a major fire in 1958. Billingsgate has been on its current site in London Docklands since 1982, a site that was once desolate but is now dotted with the gleaming towers of the Canary Wharf financial district.

House on the Billingsgate site, Cultural Centre at Smithfield

But a question arises: if these markets are closed, will these areas become deserted again? The answer is no, in fact 4,000 new homes have been proposed to be built on the Billingsgate site, while Smithfield is going to become a cultural center, which will also house the new London Museum.