BOLD MARKETS
Trading up
Three titans of London’s market landscape are making the journey east to a new home in Dagenham. Shailja Morris reports on how the world-renowned reputations of the markets were built, why the move will benefit the borough and traders, and how the council clinched the deal
W
hen London’s iconic wholesale markets Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields - close the gates to their current premises for the last time, they will be handing a powerful legacy to future generations of residents, businesses and visitors at their new joint home in Dagenham. The world-renowned wholesale
18
giants will be consolidated into a triple mega-market at the 42-acre site of the disused Barking Reach Power Station at Dagenham Dock. A new training school for market traders and food workers of the future will also be developed nearby in the borough. No firm date has been set for this historic relocation although the City of London Corporation, which owns the
markets, predicts it could take up to three years. What is certain is the move will breathe new life into the markets, provide a bigger and better working environment for traders, and be a huge boost to the borough’s economy and its residents. The first plans for the scheme went into consultation stage at the end of January and a planning application is expected to be submitted to the council in the
