Museum of London to create £332m site at historic meat market

Plans have been approved to transform buildings at a London meat market into a £332m museum.

The City of London has approved the Museum of London’s plans to create a “world class” museum on part of the historic meat and poultry market at West Smithfield.

The museum says that the new site will attract an estimated two million visitors a year.

However, traders at the market say that the plans could disrupt their businesses, and that the market may need to move if the museum is built.

The museum plans to be open 24-hours as a “new cultural destination”.

Greg Lawrence, chairman of the Smithfield Market Tenants Association, commented: “They have not considered the disruption and disturbance caused to market traders.

“The current plan is half baked and creates uncertainty about the long-term future of Smithfield market.”

Former Arts Council chair Sir Peter Bazalgette backed the scheme, and said: “It’s an inspiring, imaginative and sympathetic use for Smithfield, an important heritage site.

“It will hugely extend the Museum of London’s appeal and reach.

“And this is important because the story of one of the world’s great cities is also one of diversity which we can all have a stake in.”