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Islington Tribune - by SIMON WROE
Published: 12 October 2007

An artist’s impression of what the Smithfield Market site could look like

Battle starts to save historic Smithfield Market from a ‘steel and glass’ fate

English Heritage opens an exhibition to win public support for a new ‘Spitalfields’

AS the fate of the historic Smithfield Market hangs in the balance, a major exhibition launched this week hopes to tip the scales in favour of restoration rather than demolition.
The Market Values exhibition in Cowcross Street, Farringdon, proposes alternative ideas for the future of the famous market ahead of a planning inquiry next month which could see part of the 800-year-old site converted into a
seven-storey office complex.
At present the general market and annex parts of the site lie near-derelict and unlisted.
Developers Thornfield Properties propose to demolish these buildings and replace them with a £250million flat-fronted steel and glass structure, housing offices and shops.
Exhibition backers English Heritage, which supported the Tribune’s own ‘Save Smithfield’ campaign, argue that the demolition of the general market will damage the conservation area considerably and that the space could easily be adapted into an urban market similar to Borough Market or Spitalfields.
Their views are echoed by a brace of high-profile figures, including Prince Charles and TV historian Dan Cruickshank.
Mr Cruickshank said: “Smithfield is astonishingly evocative and moving. Its ancient history is apparent in its buildings and spaces. It is an incredible oasis in a changing world. The small scale and the mixture of uses create a harmonious feel, but that’s all very fragile in cities. So far it is enduring but with one or two mistakes made now it could become a desert in the city.”
“What is decided at Smithfield now affects future generations of Londoners and visitors. We have a huge responsibility – if we make a mistake now and let something go that really should not be let go then we have let down the future.”
But Mike Capocci, managing director of Thornfield Properties, insisted their office complex proposal was the only “viable and deliverable” scheme for regeneration.
He added: “Any credible regeneration needs to be financially viable and safeguard the meat market.
“Our proposals meet all those challenges and that is why they are supported by the City Corporation, the mayor and the market tenants.”

Market Values is at The Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street, until November 2.
It is open 10am-4pm on Tuesdays and 2.30pm-5.30pm on Fridays, with late openings from 5.30pm-8.30pm on October 10, 11 and 18

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