Two of London’s oldest markets, Billingsgate and Smithfield, will cease operations by 2028, marking the end of traditions dating back to the 11th century. The City of London Corporation announced Wednesday it will relinquish its responsibilities for the markets and compensate traders as they transition to independent operations.
Plans to relocate the markets to a new site in Dagenham were abandoned due to rising costs, estimated at £1 billion ($1.25 billion). Billingsgate’s Docklands site is slated for housing development, while Smithfield will be transformed into a cultural center, including the new London Museum.
The closures signal the conclusion of a vibrant chapter in London’s history, as traders prepare to rebuild their futures away from these iconic locations that have shaped the city’s identity for centuries.
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