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

Royal Society of Arts

Royal Society of Arts

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee House. They carried on meeting in coffee houses and taverns but as the society grew they needed more space. Shipley rented ...

Group, Art, Commerce

18 memorials
Victor Tyre Company

Victor Tyre Company

See Ian Visits for the history of this short-lived company and an advertisement with the same image as the mosaic. Our advertisement, from Grace's Guide - a magnificent resource, shows a different ...

Group, Commerce, Transport

1 memorial
Penny Savings Bank

Penny Savings Bank

From Tottenham Quakers  "In 1798 Priscilla Wakefield founded the first "frugality bank" in England. This she founded at Ship Inn Yard in Tottenham. It was intended to help people on lower incomes t...

Concept, Commerce, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Burmantofts

Burmantofts

Manufacturers of ceramic pipes and construction materials, named after the Burmantofts district of Leeds. The business began when fire clay was discovered in a coal mine owned by William Wilcox and...

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
One Tun pub - Saffron Hill

One Tun pub - Saffron Hill

The present day pub was rebuilt in 1875.

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial