80. Smithfield Tour, 7th June 2023


On 7 June the Mistress attended a Livery Consorts event organized by the Butchers’ Company and attended by the Lady Mayoress. 

A group of around 30 consorts gathered in Smithfield Market at the crack of dawn and were given a talk on the history of the market followed by a tour.   Smithfield is one of the largest wholesale meat markets in Europe with activity dating back to the mediaeval period.  It was a livestock market until the early c19th but now acts as a hub for meat preparation and sales, mainly to the catering, hotel and restaurant trades.  The current magnificent buildings date from the 1860s.  They will close in about 4 years’ time when the market moves out to Dagenham but are to be refurbished to house the new Museum of London.

This was a fascinating insight into the meat trade and as always a thoroughly congenial social event.  The only downside was the need to rise at 4.00 am but the consorts were revived by a glass of champagne and delicious breakfast at Butchers’ Hall.  The event concluded with a tour of the Hall which dates from the 1960s and is the 7th Hall owned by the Company.

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