Last updated: 27 November 2024
Next review: 27 November 2025
Background
New Spitalfields Market opened in the 13th century next to St Mary Spital Church in the Square Mile. The market then relocated to Leyton in the early 1990s.
Sadly the Leyton site can't meet the needs of a modern market. This is due to a lack of storage and display space for products as well as outdated buildings.
There are no delivery or unloading bays, and it has a several operating challenges. These include conflicts between pedestrians and forklift trucks, which drive through the main market floor.
What is planned for the site?
The City of London Corporation has decided to combine the location of all three of its wholesale markets. This includes Billingsgate, New Spitalfields, and Smithfield Market. They will be moved to a site at Dagenham Dock.
The future of the Leyton site is likely to include:
- A mixed use residential development to provide new homes for local people
- Commercial space for creative industries to support local firms and provide employment for local people
Our aim is to realise the full benefits of this opportunity for the borough. We've commissioned Gort Scott to create a detailed urban design strategy and development framework for the New Spitalfields and Leyton Mills area.
To find out more, see Leyton Mills Development Framework
Timeline:
- It is hoped to complete the new market site at Dagenham Dock by 2026/7 after which New Spitalfields Market site will become available for regeneration.
- June 2020: City of London Corporation held an online public consultation January to March 2021: Leyton Mills Urban Design Strategy produced
- April to July 2021: Leyton Mills Development Framework produced including public engagement
- 2026/7: It is hoped the new market site at Dagenham Dock will be complete after which New Spitalfields Market site would become available for regeneration.
Contact information
More information is available from:
- The City of London Corporation website
- Gary Webb, Stakeholder and Consultation Lead. City of London Corporation, marketsprogramme@cityoflondon.gov.uk
- Sarah Custance, Waltham Forest Masterplan Project Manager, sarah.custance@walthamforest.gov.uk
- Freephone helpline 0800 307 7549