Plans to relocate two historic markets to Dagenham are set to go to Parliament – but a date for a third to move is unknown.
City of London Corporation’s main decision-making body – the Court of Common Council – voted today (November 17) to place a Private Bill in Parliament to relocate Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets to the town.
It marks another milestone in its proposal to invest almost £1billion into regenerating 42 acres of industrial land at Dagenham Dock into a wholesale food market.
READ MORE: Go-ahead for plans to move historic food markets to Dagenham
The new market is set to open in 2027 or 2028, a City of London Corporation spokesperson said.
But they admitted it is “not able to give a timeline” on the relocation of New Spitalfields Market.
The spokesperson said: “The City Corporation’s ambition remains to relocate New Spitalfields to Dagenham Dock alongside Billingsgate and Smithfield at a later date.”
According to the corporation, the new market will bring around 2,700 new jobs to Barking and Dagenham.
The borough’s council leader Darren Rodwell hailed the latest development in the scheme.
He said: “I’m delighted we’ve reached this next milestone for the relocation of the world-famous wholesale markets to the borough.
“London is moving east, delivering huge opportunities, like this, for new jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the local economy.”
The bill will be sent to Parliament on November 29 and is required because the relocation can only take place with its consent.
The land where Billingsgate Market, in Canary Wharf, is now situated could see around 2,000 homes built on it.
The site of the current Smithfield Market, in the City of London, is set to become a new London Museum.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s policy and resources committee, Chris Hayward, called the announcement “a major milestone”.
“Our investment in delivering modern, environmentally-sustainable wholesale markets in Barking and Dagenham will boost the economy across east London, supporting jobs, skills and training.
“Relocating our markets will help ease traffic and improve air quality in inner London, while unlocking land at Billingsgate for new housing.”
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