Smithfield Market

Smithfield Market

Smithfield Market

Introduction

Smithfield is famous for its meat market. A market existed there in 1183 and the site was used for jousting (a medieval chivalric sport), as a place of execution during the Reformation (and the short-lived Counter Reformation). In the 19th century, Smithfield established itself as the largest meat market in England. It was also an important horse and cattle market until 1855 when livestock was sent to the Caledonian Market in Islington. It was also a place for public meetings, for example, the Friends of Radical Reform in Parliament held a meeting there on 21st July 1819 presided over by Henry Hunt (see illustration). In 1868, a market hall with an iron and glass roof was built (designed by Sir Horace Jones). Several sections of the market now handle fresh and frozen meat, poultry, provisions, fish and fruit.

Literature Review

Modern meat market in Europe - which is Smithfield Market, Housed in a glorious Victorian Grade II - meat has been passed through these doors for over 800 years, so that the oldest market in London. Meat, poultry, cheese, pastries and deli products are available for wholesale here understandably attracts large crowds of butchers, restaurateurs and caterers. Most of the best restaurants and hotels buy their meat here and the site is known for the quality of existing products (Wilkerson, 2003).

The great central avenue that runs through the market allows customers to take a stroll through the market. If you want to be closer to the products, you need to dress appropriately in clean protective equipment.

Stakeholder consultation and data indicates that trade at the market is currently reasonably stable. The units are all full, though in the last 15 years the number of tenants has declined. There has recently been growth in custom from foodservice customers, as well as from independent retailers. Chefs come into the market to choose produce for their restaurants, and there is walk-in trade from the street. The area around Smithfield has recently seen many residential and leisure developments, in addition to increasing office space. Congestion caused by the market is an issue for those using the market, for pedestrians using nearby offices and dwellings, and for vehicles passing close to the site.

Urban Tourism

Since the early 1990s, thinking on tourism, its foundations and concepts has not stopped evolving. Nevertheless, the concept of tourism, and despite the recommendations of the definition of the World Tourism Organization, is still marked by a blurring that accentuates the inaccuracies of the discipline of tourism. In addition, for good reason, the low scientific recognition of tourism due to the slow progress theoretical and conceptual contributes to the dependency of tourism vis-à-vis other disciplines. This is also reflected at the prospects of tourism study. In this sense, John Michael Hoerner (2002) summarizes the literature dealing with the tourism phenomenon in two ways:

1. Geographical approach that recognizes that tourism focuses on the premises;

2. economic approach: the light of the growing importance of tourism in the economic structure ...