Plans in to move London’s markets to Barking and Dagenham
Plans have been submitted by the City of London Corporation to turn the former Barking Reach Power Station into a new home for its Smithfield, Billingsgate, and New Spitalfields food markets.
Spanning 42 acres, it will be the country’s largest wholesale food market if given the green light by Barking and Dagenham Council.
Designed by Chetwoods, the scheme is to be built using sustainable materials and the latest environmental technology.
Plans have been submitted by the City of London Corporation to turn the former Barking Reach Power Station into a new home for its Smithfield, Billingsgate, and New Spitalfields food markets.
Spanning 42 acres, it will be the country’s largest wholesale food market if given the green light by Barking and Dagenham Council.
Designed by Chetwoods, the scheme is to be built using sustainable materials and the latest environmental technology.
The corporation is aiming to open the new location by 2025/26 subject to planning approval. It reported that 70% of respondents to a series of exhibitions in January and February supported relocating the markets to the new site.
Catherine McGuinness, chair of the policy and resources committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “The submission of our outline planning application is another significant step in our journey to creating a new wholesale food market for the UK, London and the South East in Dagenham Dock.
“Relocating the historic Smithfield, New Spitalfields and Billingsgate markets will secure their futures, providing much-needed modern facilities and spaces for our tenants to grow, so they can continue to support London’s food economy for the next generation.”
James Tumbridge, chairman of the markets committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “People across our markets are making an extraordinary effort to ensure Londoners can continue to get high-quality produce on to their plates.
“As we look beyond the current pandemic, it is so important to invest in the future and help recovery. These plans aim to provide an exciting new home for our markets at Dagenham Dock that will safeguard their long-term future, securing jobs.
“Importantly, a new food school will help to train tomorrow’s market traders by providing the skills required to develop the next generation of butchers, fishmongers, and fruiterers.”
The City of London Corporation is being advised on the project by Deloitte, which is its strategic property adviser and planning consultant.
To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette
