Fascinating pictures show Smithfield market through the years as it celebrates 150th anniversary with festival

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Tom Powell25 August 2018

These fascinating pictures show Smithfield Market throughout the years as the iconic London meat market celebrates its 150th birthday this weekend.

There has been a livestock market at the Farringdon site for over 800 years, but the redeveloped Victorian buildings were officially opened in 1868.

One of the largest of its kind in Europe, the market is located within the Square Mile and is managed by the City of London Corporation.

However, it could be set to move to a different location after the corporation announced plans to merge three historic London markets at a new site.

Butchers prepare meat for sale in Smithfield Market
Getty Images

This weekend, a major, free festival is being held at Smithfield and the surrounding streets to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the market in its current guise.

Smithfield 150, organised in conjunction with the Museum of London, will include music, food, historical re-enactments and other performances across six zones.

The historic Smithfield Market has sold meat to Londoners and restaurants for centuries
Associated Newspapers

Sharon Ament, Director of the Museum of London, previously said: “There has been a market on site at Smithfield in some form for hundreds of years.

“It was the epicentre of market trading in London with people coming from miles around to buy and sell their produce or join in with the historic St Bartholomew’s Fair – one of the biggest festivals of its day.

The market opens for trading at 2am every weekday
Getty Images

She added: “We will recreate this momentous celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of these astonishing markets. All of London is invited to come and be part of this special occasion.”

Gregory Lawrence, Chairman of the SMTA that represents the meat traders, said: “The 150th anniversary is a major milestone in the history of the Market and we look forward to celebrating it with our friends and neighbours.”

The market's current Victorian buildings were opened in 1868
Associated Newspapers

Smithfield market is located in a Grade II listed building in Farirngdon by Victorian architect Sir Horace Jones who also designed Tower Bridge. It opens at 2am every weekday morning, with most of the trading completed by 7am.

Its butchers supply meat game and poultry including to Michelin starred London restaurants.

But plans revealed earlier this month by the City of London Corporation show that Smithfield could be rehomed in a new 100-acre wholesale venue alongside Billingsgate and New Spitalfields.

Tourists often visit the market on early morning tours
Getty Images

The City Corporation’s markets committee has agreed “in principle” to consolidate the markets but the proposals would need Parliamentary approval.

The City said the plan has been developed in order to “to secure their continued operational success”.

The Museum of London is also planning to move to move from its current home by the Barbican into disused buildings at Smithfield at some point over the next few years.

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