Smithfield redevelopment inquiry opens

Today (Tuesday) marks the start of yet another public inquiry into the future of Smithfield Market, parts of which have been empty for decades.

The General Market and adjacent Fish Market and Red House buildings at the market’s western site have been under threat of demolition since 2005. The most recent redevelopment plans for the buildings, owned by the City of London, now propose to partly replace the brick and cast-iron market halls with offices and shops – a scheme opposed by the conservation group SAVE Britain’s Heritage.

Yannic Rack spoke to Clem Cecil, director of SAVE, who favours a more sensitive approach to the historic structures, while still catering to the needs of the wholesale market traders.

Video report

Read more about the redevelopment plans here.

For more about the history of Smithfield read about our early morning visit to the wholesale meat market (which would not be affected by the development plans) and listen to an interview with the chairman of the market’s tenants’ association.

Follow Yannic Rack on Twitter: @yannicrack