“Psst, wanna know where London gets its greens?”
New Spitalfields Market stands before us. It is a vital hub for fresh produce. This isn’t just any market. It’s Europe’s leading horticultural market for exotic fruits and vegetables. It is also the largest revenue earning wholesale market in the UK.
Let’s dive into the market’s history. The original Spitalfields Market was near Bishopsgate. That’s on the east side of the City of London. Traffic and outdated facilities forced a change. Imagine lorries stuck in gridlock. Picture poor refrigeration spoiling goods.
In May 1991, New Spitalfields Market opened in Leyton. This move followed similar relocations. Covent Garden Market and Billingsgate Fish Market also left the city center. The market now sits on a 31-acre site. The Great Eastern Railway founded Stratford Market in 1879. It was meant to compete with Spitalfields. Eventually, Stratford Market closed. It consolidated at the New Spitalfields site. The old Spitalfields Market was regenerated. It now features public markets, shops, and restaurants.
Inside New Spitalfields Market, you’ll find 115 trading units. Wholesalers deal in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The market hall boasts modern facilities. There are cold storage rooms and ripening rooms. Racking is available for palletized produce. Extensive parking accommodates customers and delivery vehicles.
Catering supply companies occupy four separate buildings. Over 9,688 square feet of office space exists here too. You can also find cafes and maintenance facilities. Diesel and propane suppliers are on-site. Specialist pallet services and forklift truck maintenance companies operate here. The Market Constabulary provides security. The Old River Lea runs along the western edge.
In early 2019, there was a proposal to move Billingsgate, New Spitalfields, and Smithfield Market to Dagenham Dock. Outline permission was granted in March 2021. However, in November 2024, those plans were scrapped. They were no longer economically viable. Billingsgate Fish Market and Smithfield Market will close in or after 2028. New Spitalfields Market remains unaffected. It will continue as a key London hub.
So, as you enjoy the vibrant food scene in London, remember New Spitalfields Market. It’s the source of much of the city’s fresh produce. It’s a place where the world’s flavors converge.