The future of Smithfield Meat Market, one of London’s most historic trading sites, hangs in the air following a decision by the City of London Corporation. The market, which has operated for over eight centuries, will cease trading at its current location as part of a plan to withdraw the Corporation’s involvement in direct market operations.

The closure was confirmed after the Corporation voted to end plans to relocate Smithfield and Billingsgate Fish Market to a new £1 billion site at Dagenham Dock. Rising construction costs and inflation were cited as reasons for abandoning the project, which had already incurred £308 million in costs for site acquisition and remediation.

…