Billingsgate Market moved to its current location in Poplar, East London in 1982, from its previous site on Lower Thames Street. While there have been plans to move it again, most recently to the Royal Docks as "New Billingsgate," the City of London Corporation has halted those for now, with the original market set to close by 2028 as the sites become redeveloped.
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.
After almost eight centuries at the heart of life in the capital and a period where their future lay in doubt, the historic Smithfield and Billingsgate markets are to get a new home on a former industrial site in east London.
Billingsgate Market (and Smithfield) is closing because its current site is outdated, inefficient, and causes congestion, with plans for relocation to the Royal Docks in East London scrapped due to soaring costs, leading the City of London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.
Yes, anyone can shop at Billingsgate Market, as it's legally a "free and open" market for both wholesale (trade) and the general public to buy fresh fish, but you need to go very early (around 4-5 AM) for the best selection and be mindful of the busy, industrial environment, including wearing sturdy shoes and being aware of forklift traffic, with kids under 12 not permitted.
The City of London announces that the markets will still close, but they will NOT now relocate to Dagenham. This seems to spell the end for Smithfield Market and Billingsgate Market as coherent entities.
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.
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.
Lock & Co. The oldest hat shop in the world (and reputedly the oldest shop in London), Lock & Co. is still run by the family who founded the company way back in 1676.
Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century.
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.
Jason Holland. Billingsgate fish market – which is the oldest fish market in the U.K. capital of London and what was once the world's largest fish market – is set to close in 2028 after the City of London Corporation recently decided to withdraw its support.
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! However, tuna catching is highly regulated, and rightly so.
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.
What's the best time to go to the Billingsgate Market?
When is the best time to go to Billingsgate? As the market opens at 4am, most serious buyers are in and out before half five if not before. However, remember you'll have to queue if you arrive before 5am. We would suggest arriving any time after that and possibly the optimal time is around 5:30am.
Although famed for cockney rhyming slang and Pearly Kings and Queens, Bow is undergoing a period of gentrification with stylish hangouts, restaurants and parkland sitting neatly alongside tree lined streets of beautifully kept Georgian terraces and the Roman Road which as well as being home to Unico's office also ...
The truth is, you can find both kinds at Aldi. The company sells value-pack packages of frozen wild-caught pink salmon filets (which make delicious baked salmon with burst tomatoes) along with cans of wild Alaskan pink salmon (which is one canned meat you should be eating).
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.
