The world’s oldest meat market has welcomed crowds in central London for its annual Christmas Eve auction – having recently announced its plans to move to a new location in the future.
People of all ages gathered at Smithfield meat market near Farringdon today, making the most of a last chance to stock up on food for the festive season.
The historic market is more than 800 years old and sees hundreds of people turn up on this day every year to get their hands on the finest cuts of meat available.
There were concerns the market would close for good in 2028, but The City of London and Smithfield traders announced on Monday that they planned to move the market to a new location ‘within the M25’ when the original site closes.
For this year’s event, many wore Santa hats and Christmas jumpers as they crowded into the old venue for the auction, run by G Lawrence butchers.
Pictures showed entire families enjoying the atmosphere, with some holding signs reading: ‘Turkey please’.
Butchers young and old and their apprentices wore white overalls and black aprons as they prepared to start handing out goods to the clamouring crowd.
And unlike those rushing to the supermarkets with cards in hand for last-minute shopping today, Smithfield was full of adults waving wads of cash over their heads as they competed to get the best meat.
From turkeys to geese, beef to lamb, almost any meat imaginable goes under the hammer today.
A young butcher takes bids from the animated crowd in Smithfield on Christmas Eve morning
A butcher shows off his turkey to the crowd ready for sale – in perfect time for Christmas
Almost all kinds of meat available hit the market at Smithfield – and it’s not just turkey that’s popular at Christmas
Smithfield has been an iconic part of the London market scene for hundreds of years, and still receives lots of visitors today – from traders to tourists.
It was announced last month that Smithfield meat market and Billingsgate fish market will no longer operate after the City of London Corporation voted to cease trading.
But the trader and City authorities have now agreed to find a ‘New Smithfield’ market.
On Monday, the Corporation and the Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association (SMTA) issued a joint statement, which said: ‘The timing of the construction of the new facility dovetails with the SMTA’s move from Smithfield in 2028/9, and there will therefore be minimal disruption to our supply chains during the transition period.
‘For our part, the City Corporation will continue to work proactively with the SMTA to support a smooth transition.
‘the creation of a “New Smithfield” will also ensure that the meat which passes through the current market site will continue to serve London and the South East.’
The City Corporation and traders’ association will now work together to identify potential new premises for the traders where the corporation is not the landlord, and where the businesses can expand.
There had been bold plans to relocate the market and Billingsgate to a new £1 billion development in Dagenham.
A young helper holds up butchers’ turkeys as the competition heats up
Bidders hold cash in the air as they try to catch the sellers’ attention and secure their bird
The fast-paced market was crammed full of people for the annual Christmas Eve tradition on Tuesday
A girl sits on her father’s shoulders holding a sign that says: ‘Have a very hammy Christmas’
Other children held signs showing what their family was looking for – turkey, beef and even ribs
The G Lawrence butchers’ auction saw meat of all kinds go under the hammer
Many of those in attendance wore festive hats and Christmas jumpers, while others resorted to homemade illuminated signs to catch attention
A female butcher hands a cut of meat to a buyer in the crowd on Christmas Eve
It is not yet known what will happen to the old market hall once the meat market ceases
The market is one of the UK’s most competitive to secure a Christmas turkey – or any other meat
A butchers holds up two huge slabs of meat amid the chaotic sale in London today
A butcher holds a cut of meat at a pre-Christmas meat auction held by G Lawrence butchers at Smithfield Market in London
Several people at the market were pictured in turkey hats as they got into the festive spirit
A young butcher holds aloft a cut of meet for those at the market to consider
Butchers sort racks of ribs on a pallet in Smithfield market on Christmas Eve
But the corporation put the relocation plans on hold in November and confirmed at a private Court of Common Council meeting that it has formally ended its interest in relocating the two sites.
Traders will be able to continue their operations at the markets until at least 2028, the corporation added.
A market has existed around the site for more than 800 years. The corporation was given the right to run it and other wholesale food markets in 1327.
The current market site was built in 1868, designed by architect Sir Horace Jones.
Billingsgate was also designed by Sir Horace when it was redeveloped in the 19th century.
Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, said: ‘This decision represents a positive new chapter for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets in that it empowers traders to build a sustainable future in premises that align with their long-term business goals.
‘By stepping back from direct market operations, we will help to create opportunities for these businesses to thrive independently.
‘We’ve worked closely with the traders and thank them for their input and understanding.
‘We’re committed to making sure they have the financial support and guidance they need to transition seamlessly and successfully to new locations.’