Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets Set For London Docklands Move

Two of London’s historic wholesale markets could move to the Royal Docks in 2028 and offer a new onsite food school under a new proposal to secure the future of the centuries-old food markets after long-term relocation plans to Dagenham were abandoned last year.

Image: City of London Corporation

The identification of a preferred site – Albert Island in east London – where both markets can be located together has been described as “progress” by The City of London Corporation, which is working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and market traders.

Last November the Corporation revealed plans to close Smithfield and Billingsgate altogether after spiralling costs led to a collapse in the proposed Dagenham Dock move.

By investing in London’s future, the Corporation said in a press release that the new location at Newham’s Royal Docks would protect food security for London and the Southeast, plus thousands of jobs in ports across the UK, as well as the future of existing jobs.

The new site will feature an onsite food school to train future butchers, fishmongers, and fruiterers.

It is estimated that the move of the meat and fish markets will generate around £750 million (m) in local expenditure, plus over 2,200 jobs. 

“Identifying a preferred new site marks a significant step forward – and we’re well ahead of where we thought we’d be by Christmas,” explained Greg Lawrence, Chairman of Smithfield Markets Traders’ Association. 

“This location offers Traders the space and opportunity to grow our businesses while continuing to serve customers across London and the South East.” 

Tony Lyons, Chairman of London Fish Markets’ Association, said he hoped the new location would reassure people that a vibrant future is being created for the two historic markets within the M25. 

“Finding a site just a few miles away means we’ll still serve our customers while vastly improving both our working environment and ability to expand,” Lyons pointed out.

Image: City of London Corporation

Community Benefits, New Onsite Food School

Under the plan, the two well-known fresh food markets will continue to trade at Smithfield and Billingsgate until at least 2028. Following the move, the markets would be known as New Billingsgate and New Smithfield respectively. 

At the new site, which is being regenerated, both markets will continue to operate their respective apprenticeship programmes, the Smithfield Apprenticeship Scheme and the Billingsgate Seafood Training School, which provide jobs targeted at young people. 

A new onsite food school will be developed to support local communities across the London Borough of Newham and the South-East. 

The school will deliver food skills, education and training programmes to train tomorrow’s market traders and provide them with the skills required to develop future butchers, fishmongers, and fruiterers.

The relocation of the historic wholesale markets to the proposed new site near London City Airport fulfils the “shared ambition” of the City of London Corporation and market traders for a new site to be found within the M25, first set out in December 2024, the Corporation said. 

The move is subject to the successful passage of the Parliamentary Bill to provide for the cessation of the markets at their current sites. Planning permission from Newham Borough Council is also required to enable the markets to operate on site. 

Most of the traders from both markets have agreed to move together to a new site with the remaining intending to transfer their business to others, ensuring that 100% of trade will continue, the Corporation noted.