Yes, Billingsgate Fish Market is moving. The City of London Corporation announced in December 2025 that the market will relocate to a new site at Albert Island in the Royal Docks, East London, with the move expected by 2028. The current Poplar site is set to be redeveloped for housing.
What is happening to the billingsgate fish market?
April 2019: The City of London Corporation announces plans to move Smithfield, New Billingsgate and New Spitalfields markets to one mega-site in Dagenham. November 2024: Dagenham is off! The City of London announces that the markets will still close, but they will NOT now relocate to Dagenham.
The proposal by the City of London Corporation – the governing body that runs both sites as well as the Square Mile financial district – would relocate the markets to Newham's Royal Docks.
The City of London Corporation's Court of Common Council has attributed the decision to abandon relocation to high inflation and increasing construction costs that have made the switch unaffordable. The fish market's origins date back to the 1700s, making it the oldest fish market in the city.
Most traders from both markets have agreed to move together to a new site, although the current markets will stay open until at least 2028, the City of London Corporation said. It added that it had signed an agreement with the Greater London Authority to work on the proposals.
1978: Should BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET Move? | Nationwide | Voice of the People | BBC Archive
What is the petition for Billingsgate Market closure?
The petition was created by former London resident Peter Acton to oppose plans to close Billingsgate and Smithfield markets by 2028 after relocation plans were rejected. He argued that these historic sites are vital to London's food supply and cultural heritage, and that relocating will not suffice.
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.
In November 2024, the council announced it did not intend to proceed with these plans as they were no longer economically viable; instead, Billingsgate Fish Market and Smithfield Market would close in or after 2028 with no replacements.
In 2025, 68% of London leavers stayed in the South of England (South East, South West or East of England) – the highest proportion since 2021 and up from 62% in 2024. This marks a reversal of the pandemic and then affordability-led trend that pushed buyers further into the Midlands and North.
At its core, the 3-5-7 rule sets three clear boundaries: 3%: The maximum amount of your trading capital you should risk on any single trade. 5%: The total amount of capital you should have exposed across all open trades at any given time. 7%: The minimum profit you should aim to make on your winning trades.
Yes, Bradford's historic Kirkgate Market (and the adjacent Oastler Market) closed permanently on June 28, 2025, to be replaced by the new, modern Darley Street Market, with demolition of the old market planned for new housing as part of a city regeneration project. Traders have moved to the new facility, and while many are sad to see the old market go, they are optimistic about the future in the new space.
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.
Covering 3.6ha, the old Sydney Fish Market site will be redeveloped to deliver new homes, unlock economic and social opportunities, and create thousands of jobs.
The best days to buy fish are generally Thursday through Sunday, as these are the busiest days, meaning more turnover and wider variety, especially for specific types like Mahi-Mahi or whole fish, though Monday/Tuesday might be best for certain staples if deliveries are consistent, but always check with your fishmonger for local freshness. While the old rule was to avoid Mondays due to weekend delivery gaps, modern supply chains often make fresh fish available daily, so asking your fishmonger when it arrived is the best advice, regardless of the day.
Billingsgate Market (and Smithfield) is closing because its current site is outdated, inefficient, and causes congestion, with plans for relocation to the Royal Docks in East London scrapped due to soaring costs, leading the City of London Corporation to halt support and plan permanent closure, though a new site may yet emerge, with current operations continuing until at least 2028.
Billingsgate and Smithfield markets are set to relocate to a new joint site on Albert Island in east London's Royal Docks, under plans unveiled by the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority. The proposal follows the Corporation's decision last year to scrap a previous move to Dagenham.
Formerly an office used by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Custom House is neighboured on the waterfront by Sugar Quay to the east and Old Billingsgate Market to the west.
Yes, fish is generally cheaper at London's Billingsgate Market, especially if you're buying in bulk (by the kilo or box) and are willing to get up early to shop, offering wholesale prices that beat many high street retailers, though some find prices similar to supermarkets for smaller quantities, with the main benefit being freshness and variety.
Last month we saw the first fully licenced bluefin tuna caught on a commercial vessel in Newlyn. The landed fish weighed in at 245 kg and made a sale price of over £14 per kilo a whopping total of over £3400!
