Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to relocate from central London to Dagenham

Billingsgate and Smithfield markets will relocate to a purpose-built site at Dagenham Dock in east London as part of a £1bn regeneration project.

THE historic meat market is almost certain to leave its 1,000-year-old Smithfield site and move to Barking after traders agreed to a “negotiated” deal with landlords City of London.

The final deal, which would see the traders move to a £100million site in Dagenham Dock, is expected to be rubber stamped in a “special meeting” to be held at the Guildhall on Thursday. More than 100 people are expected to attend.

The 2,000 meat workers at the site finally agreed to leave earlier this year after years of wrangling with their landlords about the forced move.

Greg Lawrence, chairman of Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association, said: “We’ve completed the negotiations with the City of London. There were still two or three issues but we think that’s all been solved and we hope they will decide – and they will – to sign off at common council.”

Explaining the change of heart after what had been a venomous battle at times, Mr Lawrence said the City of London had brought a better deal to the table.

While the original plans involved relocating three markets to Barking – ­Spitalfields New Market as well as Smithfield and Billingsgate Fish Market – it is expected Spitalfields in Leyton will now remain where it is.

The City of London has planned a landmark “super-market” site in east London, which is expected to be the largest in Europe. It is due to open within five years.

They purchased an old power station in Dagenham Dock in 2018 but faced resistance from the meat traders who had threatened to take their fight to parliament.