The plans to move Smithfield meat market out of Farringdon to a site in Dagenham are on hold.
Smithfield has been a site of butchery since medieval times. But that long tradition appeared to be ready for the chop. Plans have been afoot for years to move the market out of the central area to a larger site in Dagenham. Now, the City of London has decided to review the idea.
Smithfield had been expected to join Billingsgate fish market and (later) New Covent Garden food market in a combined centre out to the far-east of London, sometime around 2027. The consolidation would have many advantages, including the removal of many large delivery vehicles from the narrow streets of central London. But the City has called a halt to the scheme "in order to determine its next steps and to ensure the financial sustainability of the project". Other, undisclosed options are to be explored, apparently, in what amounts to a very vague announcement.
The cessation should not immediately affect the London Museum (formerly Museum of London), who are set to move into the market complex in 2026. Their buildings are to the western end of the site, in spaces no longer used by the meat market.
