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.

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.

Read More

Spitalfields Market - Horner - finished

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

Read More

Spitalfields Market - Horner - started

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

Read More

Other Subjects

Walter Scrimgeour

Walter Scrimgeour

Extremely rich stockbroker. He bought Parkfield from his brother-in-law, Alan Block, when his own home at nearby no. 6 The Grove became too small for his eight children. He then bought the neighbou...

Person, Commerce

1 memorial
Frost Fairs

Frost Fairs

There are records of the Thames freezing over as far back as CE 250. The piers of old London Bridge were broad and close together, meaning that they could get easily blocked creating a dam which wo...

Event, Commerce, Food & Drink, Journalism / Publishing

1 memorial
Rawthmell's Coffee House

Rawthmell's Coffee House

Braxton's Coffee House (1702) at no.24 Henrietta Street became Rawthmell's Coffee House in 1715 and later moved to no.25, where the (R)SA first met. The image shows the painting by Anna Katrina Zi...

Building, Commerce, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's

The second largest supermarket chain in the U.K. Founded by John James Sainsbury at 173 Drury Lane. In June 2015, the group comprised 1,312 branches and convenience stores.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
Frederick Frye

Frederick Frye

Grocer and Liberal politician. Full name Frederick Charlwood Frye. Started a chain of shops in 1870 and by 1894 was running 50 stores across England and Ireland. Was a member of the Metropolitan Bo...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial