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.

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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

Gatti family

Gatti family

Swiss-Italian family.  Restaurateurs, music hall, theatre and electricity supply entrepreneurs. Four generations of note, all born in Dongio, Val di Blenio, Ticino, Switzerland: Carlo; Agostino (18...

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink, Theatre, Switzerland

1 memorial
Cherry Tree Trust

Cherry Tree Trust

A privately funded charity established by Charles Pink. Its objective is to foster growth by finding a way to support small businesses.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
Sir Clarendon Hyde

Sir Clarendon Hyde

Sir Clarendon Hyde, the deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Railway Company in 1920.

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Thomas Coutts

Thomas Coutts

Banker. Born Edinburgh. With his brother, James, came to London and worked in a bank founded in 1692 by John Campbell. James married Campbell's grand-daughter and through her inherited the bank. Th...

Person, Commerce, Scotland

2 memorials
Fred L. Turner

Fred L. Turner

Businessman. Developed the McDonald's hamburger brand.

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink, USA

1 memorial