Smithfield Market traders up in arms as another London icon set to move to the suburbs

With London losing its iconic buildings and services on what seems like a weekly basis, yet another institution is on the move away from Central London, and those who work there do not like it one little bit.

According to traders who work at Smithfield Market there are concerns that plans to move the operation to Barking Reach could have a negative impact on their industry. 

New proposals will see Billingsgate Market, New Spitalfields Market and Smithifield Market, housed in one site. 

Although redeveloped and opened in 1868, Smithfield has occupied its current site in one guise or another for over 800 years. 

The City of London Corporation said the move will allow for more modern facilities and space for traders to expand. 

However, according to the Evening Standard traders are not happy at the new plans, with one trader saying that they don't think that they are going to have the room at the new premises to do what they do as wholesalers at the current site.

Another trader said that new regulations brought in by Transport for London is making things complicated for customers, adding that Smithfield still works very well.

However it was recognised by the trader that there would be benefits from being with the fish and the fruit and veg companies in one big market.

Sadly another trader said that they would retire if the move goes ahead.

After the mew plans were announced, Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said the City is committed to keeping the historic markets in London.

Image Source: Geograph

Image Author: Michael Kerans