Plans to relocate three historic London food markets to Dagenham have been given the go-ahead.
City councils approved the City of London Corporation’s proposal to uproot the Smithfield Meat Market, Billingsgate Fish Market and New Spitalfields Fruit and Flower Market in a large area on Dagenham Dock.
The company is currently reviewing plans to use the Thames to transport products to and from the new markets.
The Barking and Dagenham Planning Committee heard on Monday March 22nd that £ 1.75 million has been earmarked to support a “hub” of independent restaurants in downtown Barking that will be wholesalers supplying fresh produce.
Council Chairman Darren Rodwell said, “This is more great news for the district. The move will bring jobs and new training opportunities as part of our plans to set up a local food school.
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“Coupled with the plans we announced last week for a second film studio that confirm our status as Hollywood in London, this confirms our commitment to the recovery of the local economy.
“I am particularly excited about the intention to use the Thames to move cargo to and from the markets.”
The company paid around £ 100 million for the Dagenham Dock in late 2018.
The location, which will be the UK’s largest wholesale market, is slated to open in 2027.
Developers said the proposal would open up more central London areas to housing developments in Leyton and Poplar.
Smithfield, the UK’s largest meat market and more than 800 years old, is the most controversial move.
The Farringdon site is seen as the cultural center next to which the new Museum of London is to be built.
However, in a preliminary consultation in 2019, four out of five traders spoke out against uprooting.
Planning documents submitted by the company state that “the current facilities and trading environments in the three markets are out of date and unsustainable”.
Dealers and local residents had also raised concerns about the traffic and the impact on local transport services in Dagenham.
The committee heard that the plans would include improvements to the Goresbrook Interchange as well as £ 2 million for developments on the A13.
Cllr Rodwell added, “Moving these iconic markets to our district will bring hundreds of millions to the local economy and create more jobs and education opportunities for the local population.”
