The area and the market
The opening of the new London Museum in November will attract a host of visitors, and many may be interested in exploring the history and current attractions of Smithfield and Clerkenwell. A new walks hub and visitor centre could complement the existing City Information Centre near St Paul’s. Currently the top visitor attractions in the … Continue reading “Why Smithfield deserves its own visitor centre”
Earlier this month the London Museum announced that it will be opening in West Smithfield on November 28, and as a local resident I was keen to take up the membership offer and “ join the Flock.” The Museum’s icon is a pigeon … The first edition of the Flock and Key newsletter is now … Continue reading “London Museum welcomes its Flock”
I wondered why Tesco in West Smithfield closed last week when it was just across the road from the London Museum, due to open on November 28. Nearby a souvenir shop full of Paddington Bears and Harry Potter is already waiting for the crowds, estimated at 2-3 million a year. The explanation is that the … Continue reading “New office scheme planned near London Museum. What’s next?”
On July 16 1546 Anne Askew was burnt at the stake outside the gatehouse of St Bartholomew the Great in West Smithfield. West Smithfield today In a modest ceremony just 480 years on, the Reverend Taylor Wilton-Morgan blessed a memorial to a woman who refused to compromise her beliefs despite being tortured on the rack … Continue reading “A memorial to Anne Askew in West Smithfield”
The City Corporation has announced plans for redevelopment of The Annex buildings in West Smithfield, originally part of the Victorian-era market. As I wrote earlier, at one point the buildings were to be incorporated in the new London Museum which is due to open later this year. In the photo The Annex is on the … Continue reading “Food hall and hotel planned for West Smithfield Annex buildings”
The London Society staged an excellent discussion last Saturday about housing in the City of London, which has only 8600 residents while hosting 650,000 workers. The main function of the City will remain economic, but is there also scope for more homes? In 1801 the City population was some 130,000, dropping below 5000 after the … Continue reading “The case for more housing in the Square Mile – including Smithfield?”
The City Corporation has announced creation of a 30-year masterplan for the Smithfield/Barbican area, focussed on re-development of the Smithfield Meat Market buildings as an international cultural and commercial hub once trading ceases in 2028. On London has a good report. Update October 2025: Dave Hill in On London provides an exceptionally useful in-depth review … Continue reading “New plans for Smithfield Market. How about a new Cultural Quarter?”
City Corporation planners are developing a new brief to frame options for developing Smithfield Market buildings when wholesale trading ends in three years time, subject to Parliamentary approval. Last December the Corporation agreed closure of the market with traders and a plan, with compensation, to move to a new location “within the M25”. Last week … Continue reading “New planning brief for Smithfield Market buildings”
Why does London’s oldest parish church, St Bartholomew the Great, founded in Smithfield in 1123, have an ancient printing press set up in the Lady Chapel? It is because 300 years ago the young Benjamin Franklin started work there as a journeyman printer with Samuel Palmer, and over the next month you can book in … Continue reading “Benjamin Franklin’s Press celebrated 300 years on”
The City Corporation announced on December 23 2024 that they and the Smithfield traders have agreed on a plan to move the market to a new location “within the M25” when the site closes. See more at the end under updates. The decision yesterday by the City Corporation to close Smithfield meat market within a … Continue reading “Smithfield Market is going – now what next?”