Smithfield meat market in London is set to close its historic Farringdon location by 2028. Following a November 2024 announcement by the City of London Corporation, the 850-year-old market will cease operations, with plans to relocate to a new site at Albert Island in the Royal Docks.
Under the plan, the meat and fish market will relocate to Albert Island, which is part of the London Docklands development area. But the move will not happen overnight – both Smithfield and Billingsgate markets will remain at their current locations at least until 2028, City of London said.
In the week that the City of London voted to close Smithfield Market for good after more than 800 years of trading, I publish the work of photographer Orlando Gili who has been down at the market, documenting the last generation of butchers to work at this ancient site.
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.
What is the history of the Smithfield meat market?
Smithfield became London's livestock market in the medieval period. Animals reared as far away as the Midlands were brought here for sale. In 1174, William Fitzstephen described it as “A smooth field where every Friday there is a celebrated rendezvous of fine horses to be sold…
Historic London Markets To Close: Smithfield & Billingsgate Could Shut After Centuries Of Trading
Who owns Smithfield Meats now?
Smithfield Foods, Inc. Joseph W. Luter, Sr. Joseph W. Luter, Jr. Then known as Shuanghui Group, WH Group purchased Smithfield Foods in 2013 for $4.72 billion.
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, absolutely! Anyone can shop at London's historic Smithfield Market (and Manchester's New Smithfield Market), not just trade buyers like restaurants and butchers, but the general public can buy meat, poultry, fish, and produce, often at better prices, though you'll usually need to buy in bulk and be prepared for an early start.
Yes, you can buy meat directly from abattoirs in the UK, especially smaller, local ones that offer direct sales, private kills (where you buy a whole or half animal for butchering to your specs), or sell to the public, often alongside their wholesale operations for butchers, providing very fresh, traceable, and high-quality meat. Finding them involves searching for approved establishments and contacting them to see if they offer direct-to-consumer services, sometimes requiring you to buy larger quantities like a half carcass.
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.
Lincoln Christmas Market was axed in 2023 by the city's Labour-led council due to concerns about overcrowding. The Conservative opposition proposed a £190,000 increase to City of Council's budget to fund the market's return.
Today Leadenhall Street is closely associated with the insurance industry and particularly the Lloyd's insurance market, which occupied No 12 from 1928 to 1958, and has since been based in the adjacent Lime Street. The 14-storey Lloyd's building, completed in 1986, started a trend for dramatic architecture in the area.
With over eight centuries of history as a livestock market, its architectural beauty and historical significance make it a must-see landmark. Visitors can explore the market's role in London's evolution, gaining insights into the city's past while observing its vibrant present-day operations.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world (36%) followed by poultry (33%), beef (24%), and goats/sheep (5%).
Large Chinese producers and smaller hog farmers raise 97% of the pork to feed their population, but they look to the European Union, the United States, and Canada to round out the remaining 3%. Approximately 1% of their imports come from the U.S. – equaling roughly 496 thousand metric tons worth $1.1 billion.
Smithfield meat market, near St Paul's Cathedral, and Billingsgate fish market in Canary Wharf are to be closed after the City of London Corporation voted to withdraw support for them. The Corporation said it would now work with traders to help them find alternative premises.
In the UK, goat meat is usually just called goat meat, though it can be called chevon (from adult goats) or kid (from young goats) for more specific culinary terms, but unlike in South Asia where "mutton" often means goat, in the UK mutton specifically refers to meat from older sheep.
Ham that has gone bad may have a sour or sulfur-like odor, a slimy texture, or visible signs of mold or discoloration. If you notice any of these signs, the ham should be disposed of immediately in a durable trash bag.
Nathan's Famous, an iconic American hot dog maker that opened its first store in Coney Island more than a century ago, was sold to a Chinese-based pork producer for $450 million. Nathan's Famous, an iconic American hot dog make... Smithfield Meats has been Chinese owned for years.
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.
