In brief
The closure decision follows a significant decline in activity at this iconic site, which has been a trading hub since at least 1174.
In a surprising move, the City of London Corporation announced this week that the Smithfield Meat Market will close, effectively ending centuries of livestock trading in one of London's oldest commercial sites. John Burt, a local butcher with 22 years of experience, expressed his sorrow over the decision. “You wouldn’t have thought that Smithfield Market would ever shut down because it’s been around since the time of Henry VIII,” Burt lamented, even though his own shop will remain operational.Smithfield's history dates back to at least 1174 when traders flocked to the area to buy and sell livestock, including horses, oxen, and pigs. The market solidified its status when King Edward III granted the City of London the right to operate Smithfield and other markets in 1327. The current structure, completed in 1868, is a testament to Victorian engineering, boasting a vast roof and underlying train tracks originally intended for livestock transport.Local authorities had proposed relocating the market to East London; however, the decision to preserve the historic site for other uses means the vibrant culture and history of Smithfield will soon be lost to time.
