Part Of Old Smithfield Market To Become A Food Market

By Will Noble

Last Updated 21 April 2026

Will Noble Part Of Old Smithfield Market To Become A Food Market

A low-angle, tilted shot of a long, red brick building with ornate stone trim and a large arched wooden door on a city street. — The new food market will open in west Smithfield in 2028, subject to planning permission. Image: Matt From London

A section of the Smithfield's Victorian market is set to become a food market and boutique hotel.

While Smithfield's General Market and Poultry Market are already deep into redevelopment, as they metamorphose in the much-anticipated London Museum (slated to open later this year), the future of a triangle of former market buildings, storage facilities and engine structures (built circa 1886-1899) on the west of the Smithfield site — collectively known as the Annexe buildings — had, until now, been undetermined.

A triangle to the west of Smithfield Market — Roughly the area where the food market/hotel would be. Image: Google

Now, the City of London Corporation, which owns the site, has revealed a two-stage plan to redevelop these:

Phase One (touted for early 2028): A new food market featuring independent vendors and 'inclusive programming' to complement activities at the neighbouring London Museum. The market, says the City of London, will be inspired by the historic writings of Smithfield as a 'kitchen of the universe', featuring both established and start-up chefs representing the best of London's diverse cuisine.
Phase Two (touted for 2030): A boutique hotel with ground-floor retail, plus a pocket park for community events and live entertainment.

The City of London Corporation says it will work with General Projects Limited and Esselco Group Limited to redevelop the Annexe buildings, alongside a design studio whose name will be familiar to many Londoners — Thomas Heatherwick (of New Routemaster/Olympic cauldron/Garden Bridge fame/infamy). No scamps of the proposed development are available at this time.

A cyclist passing hoardings for the London Museum — The food market and hotel will accompany the soon-to-open London Museum. Image: Londonist

Says Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation: "Smithfield has always been London's kitchen, a place of trade, energy and life for over a thousand years. The Annexe redevelopment honours that history while giving this remarkable corner of the Square Mile a bold new future."

Of course, what we'd REALLY like to see is the return of the Cock Tavern, the bunker-like spit and sawdust pub with reverse opening hours, where Anthony Bourdain washed down a full English with a pint of Guinness once upon a time. You sense a cheap 'n' greasy fry up won't be on the cards at Smithfield's new market.

Meanwhile, the City of London Corporation recently won a judicial review concerning the nearby site of what was the Museum of London, in which campaign group Barbican Quarter Organisation claimed the City of London was planning to demolish buildings in the area without properly consider alternative schemes.