New Site Identified for Relocated Billingsgate and Smithfield Market 

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• New Site Identified for Relocated Billingsgate and Smithfield Market 

08 December 2025

Albert Island, located to the east of City Airport in the Royal Docks, could be the new home for Billingsgate and Smithfield Market traders.

The City Corporation was awarded outline planning approval by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in March 2021 to co-locate these historic markets for the first time, on industrial land at Dagenham Dock. However, the corporation voted to end its interest in the move due to financial constraints in 2024.

Now, the City Corporation and  Greater London Authority have identified a preferred new 25-acre site in the Royal Docks in Newham, at Albert Island.

The move could bring £750 million in local expenditure and over 2,200 jobs. A proposed on-site food skills school is also set to benefit the local community with training programmes to develop future butchers, fishmongers and fruiterers.

The move is subject to the successful passage of the Parliamentary Bill to provide for the cessation of the markets at their current sites. Planning permission from Newham Borough Council will also be needed to enable the markets to operate on site.

The markets will continue at Smithfield and Billingsgate until at least 2028.

Greg Lawrence, Chairman of Smithfield Markets Traders’ Association, said: “Identifying a preferred new site marks a significant step forward — and we’re well ahead of where we thought we’d be by Christmas. This location offers Traders the space and opportunity to grow our businesses while continuing to serve customers across London and the South East.

“Along with my fellow Traders, we will continue to work closely alongside the City of London Corporation, which has led efforts to identify a new site. We’re now all keen to get cracking with the next steps.”

Picture: a photograph showing the inside of Billingsgate market, showing boxes of fish. Image credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 08 December 2025

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