London's Historic Markets

The London we know today started as a small town, strategically placed on the River Thames which was vital for transport and defence from invaders.

As the city grew, the residents" needs increased, and there became a need for centrally located places to buy food.

Various shopping areas had formed naturally, but in 1327, Edward III passed a ruling which banned the setting up of rival markets within 6.6 miles of the City, (this being the distance a person could be expected to walk to market, sell his produce and return in a day)

In 1400 King Henry IV granted the right to the City to collect tolls from goods sold at Billingsgate, Cheap and Smithfield.

These areas were in those days at the edge of the city, but as London has grown, they are now very central places within the Capital.

Billingsgate Market was originally a general market, selling all types of food, wine, coal, and pottery. However in 1699 Parliament passed an act which made Billingsgate "a free and open market for all sorts of fish whatsoever" "" and the Fish Market was born.
The market was run from open stalls around the dock until 1850 when the Billingsgate Market building was opened. This was too small for the purpose, and was quickly replaced in 1873 by a new building on the same site, designed by Sir Horace Jones, which still stands today and is Grade II listed.
However this site also proved inefficient for the fish market, and the New Billingsgate Market was built in 1982 in West India Docks.
The present location of Billingsgate Market "" directly next to Canary Wharf "" is much in demand as the neighbouring financial area is keen to expand. This has been avoided so far, but in the future it looks increasing likely that Billingsgate may have to move out of the City.

Cheap Market was established in medieval times, and ran for several hundred years. It was made up of Eastcheap and Westcheap Markets. Eastcheap was London"s main meat and fish market, while Westcheap (the present day Cheapside) sold corn and crafts.
Cheap Markets were the main shopping areas in London, until they were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666, and many of the traders moved to other London markets.

Smithfield Market is London"s Meat Market, and has been on it"s current site in Farringdon since the 1100"s. It started as a weekly fair, and grew until the open air meat market was taking place 5 days a week.
Cattle were walked through the London streets to reach the market, and because of this, the Smithfield Removal Act was passed in 1852. This meant the meat market was moved out to Islington, but this wasn"t practical, and a new, indoor market was built on the Smithfield site in 1868 and the meat traders moved back. They incorporated railway lines underneath the building, to bring the animals in, which eliminated a lot of the problems that had existed before.
Part of the building was burnt down in 1958, with a replacement built, and opened in 1963.
As is the case with Billingsgate, Smithfield neighbours some of the main financial districts of modern London, and there have been numerous unsuccessful bids to change the market into offices.

Borough Market sells fruit and vegetables, and is considered by many to be the market which took place on the old London Bridge and dates back to 1014. However the market as we know it was formed by a charter by Edward VI in 1550, and this was confirmed by Charles II in 1671.
It was originally held in Borough High Street, but by 1754 was causing a nuisance and traffic congestion, and was moved to its current site in Rochester Yard, just 200 yards from London Bridge.
The buildings which house the market today were built in 1851, with the ornate glass entrance being finished in 1932.
Originally known as a market for cheap produce, in recent years Borough has been re-invented, with an emphasis on gourmet and artisan foods.

Covent Garden Market was a fruit, vegetable and flower market, and was formed in 1670 by charter from Charles II, and was held to the south of Covent Garden Square. The central market hall was built in 1830, but by 1974 the market was causing huge disruption to the area, so was moved to a new site near Battersea, and re-named New Covent Garden.
It is estimated that 40% of all fruit and vegetables eaten outside of the home in London are from New Covent Garden, and 75% of London florists visit the market daily to buy stock.