Has Norman Gregory worked at London's Smithfield meat market since 1961?
Yes, Norman Gregory has worked at London's Smithfield market since 1961. Starting at age 16, he has spent over six decades as a seller at the historic market, with only a one-year break, The Independent reported. As of early 2025, at age 79, he is considered a staple of the market, AP News noted.
There has been a meat market on the site for more than eight centuries, but after 2028 that is set to change after a corporation vote put an end to its ownership. London's Smithfield meat market is set to close after more than 800 years, with trading expected to cease for good after 2028.
What are some interesting facts about the Smithfield Market?
A grim history of execution and revolution
It was also the site of martyrdom during the Reformation; people were tortured and killed here on many occasions. Most of those executed at Smithfield were religious dissenters, particularly during the peak of the Reformation and Counter Reformation in the 16th century.
Instead, it had offered financial support to the traders to help them find new premises. Now the corporation has identified Albert Island, a brownfield site in Royal Docks owned by the Greater London Authority (GLA) earmarked for regeneration, for the move.
When the plan was made public, in April 2019, excitement was expressed about the City of London Corporation, owner of the Smithfield meat market in Farringdon, Billingsgate fish market in Poplar and the New Spitalfields horticultural produce hub in Leyton, consolidating all three in one place.
BBC The London Markets 2of3 The Meat Market Inside Smithfield 576p HDTV x264 AAC MVGroup org
Why is the London Smithfield Market closing?
While many are concerned for traders and the loss of the market's unique sights, sounds and smells, the corporation's decision – blamed on rising costs – is just the latest step in the decades' long transformation of the wider Smithfield area.
Shane Smith, president and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods since July 2021, guides the company's vision and strategic direction across all operations in the United States and Mexico.
Smithfield Foods, Inc., is a Chinese-owned pork producer and food-processing company based in Smithfield, Virginia. Founded in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company by Joseph W. Luter and his son, the company is the largest pig and pork producer in the world.
A Smithfield Foods spokeswoman said that the smokehouse had reached the end of its useful life and that the company has plenty of genuine Smithfield hams stockpiled to satisfy immediate demand.
Yes, London's historic Smithfield Meat Market is still open and operating with its traditional early morning hours (Midnight to 7 AM weekdays), but it is slated for permanent closure by 2028 after the City of London voted to abandon relocation plans, meaning the market's future in its current location is limited, though traders are being helped to find new spots, and new market complex plans are in progress for Docklands.
Sir Horace Jones designed the buildings and layout of the market. His name may be unfamiliar to some however, he is the same architect who designed one of London's most iconic sights – Tower Bridge. Remarkably, before the Victorian market buildings were constructed most of the site had remained as open land.
Who is the largest shareholder of Smithfield Foods?
As of April 2025, WH Group, a publicly listed entity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 0288.HK), maintains substantial control over Smithfield Foods. WH Group beneficially owns nearly 93% of Smithfield Foods' outstanding shares, solidifying its position as the primary Smithfield Foods owner.
Borough Market has a history spanning over a millenium and is widely considered London's oldest retail and wholesale food market. It's been operating at its current site since 1756. With over 100 stalls covering about 4.5 acres, Borough Market is also one of the largest food markets in the capital.
A Visit To London's Oldest Shop: Lock And Co Hatters. I recently paid a visit to one of London's most iconic shops: Lock and Co Hatters in St James's. It is considered to be the oldest shop in London, but also is said to be the oldest hat shop in the world and is, amazingly, still run by the same family today.
Smithfield was almost a city within a city – and one with its own hours. To give customers time to buy and prepare their meat for sale the same day, the market opened at night.
Is Smithfield meat market operating for 900 years in London to close after vote?
London's oldest meat market is set to close having served the capital for over 900 years, after a City of London panel voted to end its plans to help relocate its traders to a new site in Dagenham Dock.
London's historic Smithfield meat market is to close for good after the City of London Corporation voted to pull out of plans to relocate it and Billingsgate fish market to Dagenham.
On December 3, 2025, Albert Island at the Royal Docks was announced as the new preferred site to co-locate Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets. These markets will become known as New Smithfield and New Billingsgate Markets.
Smithfield Foods Inc has its primary listing on NASDAQ. You can trade Smithfield Foods Inc with a Saxo account, alongside thousands of other stocks worldwide.
He also conducted the first public interview with the Eagles of Death Metal following the 2015 terrorist shooting at their show at the Bataclan in Paris that left 89 dead. In 2015, Canadian Business placed him on "Canada's Richest People", claiming his net worth to be at $1.27 billion.
A native of Terrell, Texas, Shane Smith made music a full-time pursuit after moving to Austin. A passionate musician and songwriter, Shane soon connected with Bennett Brown, along with other musicians many of whom now make up The Saints.
