Comments on: The Last Days Of Smithfield Market

By: Casper

Casper — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 15:19:00 +0000

The real problem with the market is that the roads around the market building are not designed for the size of the HGVs so there is permanent congestion. There is insufficient loading provision from the HGVs as half the loading docks point the opposite way to the one way system around the market. The HGVs are so large these days and many park all weekend keeping their engines running for the refrigeration – this pollution is not good in central London and the health implications are widespread and serious. It is fine to be romantic about the market but nobody who says it is a shame it is closing really shops there, let alone regularly. The buildings are protected by grade ii listing and hopefully the area will be regenerated as it has been badly neglected by the City due to the above issues.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 14:39:00 +0000

Yes yes yes! Let’s celebrate the event, there are better things these people can do. Stop the slaughter, go vegan, peace& Merry Christmas!

By: Zoe Salbsh

Zoe Salbsh — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 19:37:55 +0000

I’m so sad this place is closing, it’s a beautiful ,ornate structure and I cant stand the thought of it being turned into yet another soulless and sanitised space. London is losing all the historic places that made it worth visiting. Good luck to everyone who has/ is working here..

By: Cherub

Cherub — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:55:54 +0000

The end of an era now that Smithfield is moving out to Dagenham, which seems very far away.

Back in the early 90s the bank I worked for moved from Monument up to beyond St Paul’s, not far from Bart’s Hospital. One day some of us decided to go out to explore and ended up round by Smithfield looking for somewhere to eat lunch. The pavement around the market was quite slippery (due to grease) and I went flying, landing on my bottom with my knees together, legs akimbo. My colleagues weren’t aware I’d slipped as they were chatting and were away along the street without me, 2 had to come back as I couldn’t get up from the position I’d landed in!

I still laugh about it now. It will be a terrible shame if the area is redeveloped into housing locals can’t afford, but that’s London for you.

By: William Sovie

William Sovie — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 02:17:08 +0000

No! No! No!
Why is this happening?!

By: Darius Bazargan

Darius Bazargan — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 22:07:08 +0000

What a wonderful selection of photographs, really evocative portraits of these men. It’sa shame the market is closing.

By: Susan Martin

Susan Martin — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 20:01:23 +0000

I’m glad it’s gone. Horrible place. Poor animals. I wouldn’t want to live there for free if they are turning it into housing.

By: Fatai Lawal

Fatai Lawal — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 18:39:45 +0000

I love shopping at Smithfield market. I will miss it. Very sad to hear that it is closing down. Waoooo

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 15:51:58 +0000

These are stunning portraits. They are evocative of two-hundred-plus years ago, when ship’s captains were painted with their ship, or a battle they fought, behind them; or when an architect’s portrait displayed the tools of his trade, with the subject portrayed front of one of his buildings.

It is a shame that Smithfield, which has been associated with meat for centuries, is losing its history to developers.

By: Christine Swan

Christine Swan — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 15:21:46 +0000

As pretty much a lifelong vegetarian, I’ll never quite get my head around people who decide to work among the blood and guts of the meat trade. However, I accept that my lifestyle choices are personal ones and not widely shared. The great London markets are historically significant and therefore, need to be preserved. One of my 2x great grandfathers lived in nearby Cow Cross where the poor animals made their final journeys.

These portraits are very evocative. So many of the markets have moved/ gone in recent years, it must impact massively on those who have worked there for a considerable amount of time. Mr Gili has perfectly captured the expressions of men at work.