The City of London’s markets at Smithfield and Billingsgate are expected to move to their new site in the Royal Docks by the end of 2029, according to evidence presented earlier this week.

The City of London, which runs the two markets, had planned to move them to a site in Dagenham Docks before soaring costs made the plan unviable (and a 775-year-old charter made it difficult). The City still wanted to close the markets but offered support to the traders in finding an alternative site, and one was identified last year in the Royal Docks.

The new market at Albert Island, next to the City Airport, would be run by the market traders rather than the City of London – but the City has a legal obligation to run the markets, so it’s seeking to have that removed.

However, that requires an Act of Parliament, so a Private Bill is currently working its way through Parliament. It was at a committee meeting on opposed bills that the 2029 date was suggested for the markets to move to their new site.

The bill is largely supported by most of the Smithfield market traders, but there was one petition filed from a Billingsgate fish market trader, which triggered the full opposed bill committee hearing in Parliament earlier this week.

The City of London’s representative, Richard Turney KC, explained that the two markets are no longer fit for purpose, as their locations are no longer suitable for the large lorries that deliver to them.

He was supported by Greg Lawrence, chairman of the Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association and the headline star of their annual Christmas Eve auction, who explained that the current sites are physically constrained and cannot be expanded to accommodate more traders.

He also raised the long-standing issue of access to central London due to the congestion charge, as well as road closures that affect deliveries.

Opposition came from Zahaab Amjad of PM Prime Fish, who raised concerns that Billingsgate fish market could be closed down before its replacement on Albert Island was ready. Committee Chair Matt Turmaine MP secured an agreement from the City’s representative that the fish traders would be supported if there was a delay in opening the replacement site.

The bill is now moving onto the report stage, and if unopposed, the City of London will legally sever its centuries-old obligation to operate food markets in London. If the bill is passed by both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it will receive Royal Assent in the House of Lords when a clerk, while bowing, announces to the house, “soit fait comme il est desire“, which is to say “let it be as it is desired”, and that is the formal announcement that the King has enacted the bill.

The Private Act will be printed and stored in Parliament. Until 1956, it was printed on vellum, but today, they use archival paper, so at least they won’t need a dead sheep to close the Smithfield market.

But the markets will continue, in the Royal Docks, as is likely the annual Christmas Eve auction.

Once the markets move, the Smithfield site is earmarked for a cultural centre, while the Billingsgate site is expected to be redeveloped for housing.

You can watch the debate here.