Building    From 1638 

Old Spitalfields Market

Categories: Commerce

1638 King Charles I gave a licence for flesh, fowl and roots to be sold on Spittle Fields. The market lapsed during the Commonwealth but it was re-founded in 1682 by King Charles II.

The existing buildings (east of Crispin Place) were built by Robert Horner in 1887-93, designed by George Sherrin, to house a wholesale market. He sold to the the City of London in 1920. The extension (west of Crispin Place) was built in 1926 and opened by Queen Mary 23 November 1928. From Britain from above: “The Market Annexe was designed by … Sydney Perks …. In 2003, the Market Annexe was demolished for the 'Bishop's Square' development.” During this work many human remains were found, from the cemetery that used to be on the site. These remains are stored in the Museum of London Rotunda.

In 1991 the wholesale fruit and vegetable market moved to New Spitalfields Market in Leyton and the old market was renovated. This involved the demolition of the extension in 2003 - so that's what we've chosen for our picture.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Old Spitalfields Market

Commemorated ati

Bowler plaque - Apples and Pears

This cast-iron roundel is one of 22 - see Bowler's page for more details.

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Spitalfields Market - Horner - finished

Odd use of English, using the passive to force the subject to be the market r...

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Spitalfields Market - Horner - started

The date is almost lost in the foliage, bottom right.

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Other Subjects

Bromley Market House

Bromley Market House

A market has existed in Market Square since at least 1205. From Bromley Borough Local History Society: "The Bromley Market House, in the Market Square was a timber building with a red tile roof. Th...

Building, Commerce

1 memorial
John Stephen

John Stephen

Founder of Carnaby Street as world centre for men's fashion in the 1960s. From Glasgow. The V&A hold his archive.

Person, Commerce, Craft / Design, Scotland

1 memorial
Ernest Eugene Pither

Ernest Eugene Pither

Art dealer and importer as "E. E. Pither and Sons". 1881 "Commission Agent" living with his mother and brother.  1882-99 operated out of various addresses in the area including 53 and 38 Mortimer S...

Person, Art, Commerce

1 memorial
Wheatsheaf pub

Wheatsheaf pub

Public house popular with London's Bohemian set in the 1930s, as were all the pubs in Fitzrovia, and beyond. Customers including George Orwell, Dylan Thomas, Edwin Muir and Humphrey Jennings were k...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

2 memorials
Harringay Traders Association

Harringay Traders Association

The Facebook page Harringay4Shops has "We are the Harringay Traders Association. From Endymion to Ducketts Common, Green Lanes N4, N8, N15." But the last post was 2011.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial