Saturday, April 17, 2004
Meat eaters
The long history of meat in London seems to go back as far as the 10th century , and the same place is still the centre of the trade Smithfield market It is thought that the name Smithfield came from a corruption of ‘smeth field’ Saxon for "Smoothfield". The City of London gained market rights under a charter granted by Edward III in 1327.
When a grant of a market was made, either to an individual or a municipality, it was usual to allow the grantees the right of taking fixed tolls in view of the expenses necessarily involved in erecting, maintaining and supervising the market. In 1852 the Smithfield Market Removal Act was passed and the live cattle market was relocated to a new site at Copenhagen Fields in Islington.
In 1860 the Corporation of London obtained an act of parliament (The Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Market Act of 1860), allowing the construction of new buildings on the Smithfield site. Work began in 1866 on the two main sections of the market, the East and West Buildings. These buildings were built above railway lines which had newly connected London to every other part of the country, enabling meat to be delivered directly to the market.
The original layout of the East and West Market buildings was 162 stalls which were easily accessible to customers as they were open on most sides. Today, the rebuilt buildings contain just 23 units in the East Building and 21 in the West, rather than being of a uniform size, have been tailored where possible to the tenants requirements. Units are divided into a number of temperature-controlled areas. Customers are able to walk along the central avenues choosing from the goods on display.
There is more to Smithfield that just the buying of raw product.
As with other markets around the world there are restaurants catering to the needs of the workers in the market also public hoses open at more convenient times so if you feel the need for a beer at 6am just travel to a London market you will always find a pub open.
The Hope pub famous for its hearty English breakfasts and steaks is just on the corner of St john street keeping market hours It has been feeding market workers and late night clubbers for many years in oak paneled splendor.
Smithfield has become more modish in the past few years destination restaurants abound ,the eponymous restaurant St John a bones throw from the market also Smiths of Smithfield three floors of food escalating in price and quality as you ascend the floors, all overseen by the Australian chef john Torode they are open for breakfast lunch and dinner with rooftop dining with views over the market and into the city.
For those who like late night and dancing one of London’s major dance scene clubs Fabric is also situated opposite the market
The Hope
The sirloin restaurant
94 Cowcross Street
Farringdon
London
EC1M 6BH
Mon - Fri 07.00 - 14:00pm (last orders). Closed weekends and Public Holidays.
Mon - Fri 07.00 - 14:00pm (last orders). Closed weekends and Public Holidays.
Fabric 77a charterhouse street London EC1M 3HN 0207 336 8898
St. John Bar & Restaurant Smithfield
26 St John Street
London
EC1M 4AY
Reservations 020 7251 0848
Fax 020 7251 4090
Smithfield Market, Charterhouse Street, London EC1A 9PQ. Tel 020 7236 8734.
Nearest tube Farringdon / Barbican. Trading hours Monday to Friday 4.00am –
12.00 noon.
When a grant of a market was made, either to an individual or a municipality, it was usual to allow the grantees the right of taking fixed tolls in view of the expenses necessarily involved in erecting, maintaining and supervising the market. In 1852 the Smithfield Market Removal Act was passed and the live cattle market was relocated to a new site at Copenhagen Fields in Islington.
In 1860 the Corporation of London obtained an act of parliament (The Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Market Act of 1860), allowing the construction of new buildings on the Smithfield site. Work began in 1866 on the two main sections of the market, the East and West Buildings. These buildings were built above railway lines which had newly connected London to every other part of the country, enabling meat to be delivered directly to the market.
The original layout of the East and West Market buildings was 162 stalls which were easily accessible to customers as they were open on most sides. Today, the rebuilt buildings contain just 23 units in the East Building and 21 in the West, rather than being of a uniform size, have been tailored where possible to the tenants requirements. Units are divided into a number of temperature-controlled areas. Customers are able to walk along the central avenues choosing from the goods on display.
There is more to Smithfield that just the buying of raw product.
As with other markets around the world there are restaurants catering to the needs of the workers in the market also public hoses open at more convenient times so if you feel the need for a beer at 6am just travel to a London market you will always find a pub open.
The Hope pub famous for its hearty English breakfasts and steaks is just on the corner of St john street keeping market hours It has been feeding market workers and late night clubbers for many years in oak paneled splendor.
Smithfield has become more modish in the past few years destination restaurants abound ,the eponymous restaurant St John a bones throw from the market also Smiths of Smithfield three floors of food escalating in price and quality as you ascend the floors, all overseen by the Australian chef john Torode they are open for breakfast lunch and dinner with rooftop dining with views over the market and into the city.
For those who like late night and dancing one of London’s major dance scene clubs Fabric is also situated opposite the market
The Hope
The sirloin restaurant
94 Cowcross Street
Farringdon
London
EC1M 6BH
Mon - Fri 07.00 - 14:00pm (last orders). Closed weekends and Public Holidays.
Mon - Fri 07.00 - 14:00pm (last orders). Closed weekends and Public Holidays.
Fabric 77a charterhouse street London EC1M 3HN 0207 336 8898
St. John Bar & Restaurant Smithfield
26 St John Street
London
EC1M 4AY
Reservations 020 7251 0848
Fax 020 7251 4090
Smithfield Market, Charterhouse Street, London EC1A 9PQ. Tel 020 7236 8734.
Nearest tube Farringdon / Barbican. Trading hours Monday to Friday 4.00am –
12.00 noon.
