Butchers at London’s historic Smithfield market have spoken of their devastation after City bosses took the decision to close the world’s oldest meat market after almost 900 years of trading.
The City of London Corporation (CoLC) said its council voted on Tuesday afternoon to stop operating both Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market.
In a statement, the corporation said traders will continue their operations at both markets until at least 2028 - but their future beyond that is unclear.
CoLC said "financial support" would be provided to market traders at Smithfield and Billingsgate "to help them relocate to new premises".
The decision has dealt a blow to some at the iconic London institution, with traders describing it as a personal “nightmare” and a “sad day” for the capital.
“It’s going to be a nightmare for some of the butchers in London as some will have to travel across London to go elsewhere,” butcher Joe Howgate, 25, told MailOnline.
“It’s difficult but we’ll carry on elsewhere, you just have to work your way through and things change so we’ll see.”
Another trader, named only as Pat, said the decision has left a question mark over his future.
“My dad was a butcher here in the 1960s. I was here as a little baby,” he told the Guardian. “Many of the people here are local. They’ve only known market life. It’s the end of the work life I know.”
But another source at the market told The Standard some tenants “are prepared to move” once the details of the relocation have been clarified.
“Smithfield with its current space is not the best option and that is why tenants are prepared to move once all the bits and pieces have been sorted out with the Corporation,” the source told The Standard.
“It is too small and there is no space to expand. Also the London Museum will be next door in three years time and that doesn’t work for either the museum or the market. One is a historic cultural destination and one is a business.”
The Smithfield Market Tenants' Association, which represents traders, has not yet officially commented on the move.
The future of Smithfield has been debated for years, but traders had expected they would be relocated en masse to Dagenham in east London, before the plan was put on hold earlier this month and formally scrapped this week.
It is believed a market has existed around the Smithfield site for at least 850 years. The corporation was given the right to run it and other wholesale food markets in 1327.
The current market site was built in 1868, designed by architect Sir Horace Jones, and has evolved ever since.
Billingsgate was also designed by Sir Horace when it was redeveloped in the 19th century, but the market was moved to its current site in Canary Wharf in 1982.
Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, 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.
“By stepping back from direct market operations, we will help to create opportunities for these businesses to thrive independently.
“We’ve worked closely with the traders and thank them for their input and understanding.
“We’re committed to making sure they have the financial support and guidance they need to transition seamlessly and successfully to new locations.”
