Name: Spitalfields Market
Address: 65 Brushfield St, London E1 6AA, UK
Telephone: 020 7377 1496
Rating: 4.5

Lively market with independent vendors for clothing, jewelry, home items, art & gourmet products.

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Spitalfields Market received its official charter from Charles I in 1638, though a market likely existed on the site even earlier.

Market Origins

The market initially specialized in the sale of fruit and vegetables, reflecting the surrounding agricultural area.

Early Focus

The magnificent Christ Church, Spitalfields, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, is a prominent landmark adjacent to the market, built in the early 18th century to serve the growing local population.

Christ Church Connection

The Spitalfields area has a strong Huguenot heritage, with many French Protestant silk weavers settling there in the 17th and 18th centuries, influencing the market's trade and character.

Huguenot Heritage

The existing Victorian market buildings were designed by George Sherrin and built in the late 19th century, giving the market its distinctive architectural style.

Market Buildings

In recent years, Spitalfields Market has transformed into a vibrant hub for fashion, arts, crafts, and diverse food stalls and restaurants.

Modern Transformation

Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields Market, a vibrant hub in London's East End, distinguishes itself through its layered history and eclectic offerings. Originally established in the 17th century following a royal license granted to sell meat, fowl, and roots on Spital Fields, it evolved from a wholesale fruit and vegetable market into a diverse retail and arts space. Unlike other London markets, Spitalfields retains a strong connection to its Huguenot past, reflected in the surrounding architecture and street names, a testament to the area's historical significance as a refuge for French Protestant weavers. The market's unique character lies in its blend of independent artisans, fashion designers, and antique dealers, creating a curated shopping experience. Beyond the stalls, the market's location atop a Roman burial ground adds an intriguing, if somewhat macabre, layer to its story. The presence of street art and performance spaces further cements Spitalfields' position as a dynamic cultural landmark, a place where history and contemporary creativity converge.

Introduction

Spitalfields Market, nestled in London's East End, embodies a rich history as a cultural melting pot, evolving from its origins in the 13th century. The area's spirit is defined by a strong sense of community, shaped by successive waves of immigrants. Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, traders gathered near the market's current site, setting the stage for its growth. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 brought Huguenots, skilled in silk weaving, who left their mark with grand houses, now part of the Fournier Street conservation area.

In the mid-1700s, Irish weavers arrived, seeking opportunities after the decline of the Irish linen industry, many later contributing to the construction of the London docks. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw an influx of East European Jews escaping pogroms, establishing one of Europe's largest Jewish communities, complete with numerous synagogues. By the late 20th century, a vibrant Bangladeshi community flourished, bringing new cultures and businesses, notably transforming Brick Lane into a renowned restaurant district.

Today, Spitalfields showcases its diverse heritage through a Huguenot church, a Methodist chapel, a Jewish synagogue, and a Muslim mosque, coexisting with traditional and modern establishments. This blend reflects the area's continuous evolution as a place where different cultures converge, contributing to London's identity as an international city. The market's regeneration has further enhanced its appeal, drawing visitors to experience its unique cultural tapestry.

Cultural Melting Pot

Spitalfields Market's historical significance is deeply rooted in its origins in 1638, when Charles I granted a license for the sale of flesh, fowl, and roots in Spittle Fields. Formally re-established in 1682 by King Charles II, the market was intended to supply the burgeoning population of London's new suburbs. Its location on Spittle Fields, demarcated by Crispin Street, Lamb Street, Red Lion Street, and Paternoster Row, became a hub of commerce. The existing Horner Buildings, constructed between 1885 and 1893, stand as a testament to the market's late 19th-century form.

The market's significance grew as it became a focal point for successive waves of immigrants. Huguenots, arriving after 1685, brought silk weaving skills that shaped the area's economy. Irish weavers followed in the 1730s, seeking work in the silk trade after the decline of the Irish linen industry. Later, East European Jews escaping pogroms and Dutch Jews further diversified Spitalfields. This blend of cultures contributed to the area's unique character, with Huguenot churches, Jewish synagogues, and other religious buildings standing alongside traditional shops and homes.

In 1920, the City of London Corporation acquired the market, extending it westward in 1926. However, by the late 20th century, the original Spitalfields Market faced challenges due to traffic congestion and lack of space for expansion. The relocation of the wholesale fruit and vegetable market to Leyton in 1991 marked a turning point, leading to the regeneration of the original site and the creation of new public spaces like Bishops Square and Crispin Place. Today, Spitalfields Market continues to evolve, blending its historical roots with modern retail and cultural offerings.

Historical Significance

Spitalfields Market stands as a testament to the East End's dramatic revival, retaining its historical charm within the Horner Square and Buildings, now Grade II listed structures. The restoration of its Victorian architecture, market hall, and roof has cemented Spitalfields as a key component of London's revitalized market scene. Once a wholesale fruit and vegetable hub, the market's 1991 relocation of these operations to Leyton marked a turning point, allowing the original site to evolve into the vibrant Spitalfields Market we know today.

At the heart of this transformation was a contentious redevelopment of the 1926 market extension, resulting in a Norman Foster-designed office block that integrates restaurants, shops, and the Traders' Market, an indoor arts and crafts space. This blend of old and new reflects the broader regeneration efforts in the East End, spurred by the strength of the City's financial sector and its spillover effects on local businesses. The area's artistic renaissance, exemplified by galleries like the Whitechapel Gallery and the presence of artists like Gilbert and George, further contributes to Spitalfields' allure.

Today, Old Spitalfields Market operates as two adjacent marketplaces, with the eastern side retaining its historic character and the western side showcasing modern design. Awarded "Best Private Market" in 2011, it hosts diverse events, including vintage markets, vinyl fairs, and general arts and crafts markets, drawing crowds throughout the week and solidifying its role in the East End's ongoing cultural and economic resurgence.

London's East End Revival

Spitalfields Market's evolution began in 1638 when Charles I granted a license to sell flesh, fowl, and roots in Spittle Fields. By the 17th century, traders operated outside the city gates where the market stands today. A Royal Charter in 1682 formalized the market, allowing trade on Thursdays and Saturdays. The market's success spurred settlement in the area, attracting Huguenots who brought silk weaving skills after fleeing France in 1685.

The market expanded to meet London's growing demand for fresh produce, becoming a major center trading six days a week. However, Spitalfields declined after the 1820s, gaining a reputation as a cheap area that attracted immigrants. Recognizing the need for modernization, Robert Horner, a former market porter, initiated the construction of a new market building, completed in 1893.

In 1920, the City of London assumed direct control, extending the original buildings. Despite its growing reputation, traffic congestion forced the market's relocation to Leyton in 1991. The Spitalfields regeneration program, completed in 2005, introduced new public spaces and restored historic streets, featuring independent retailers and restaurants. Today, Spitalfields Market has evolved into a vibrant destination with designers, makers, and artists selling fashions, homewares, and vintage items.

Market Evolution

Spitalfields Market's architectural narrative is deeply intertwined with its historical evolution, reflecting shifts in London's social and economic landscape. Originally established in 1638, the market's built environment transformed significantly over centuries. By 1876, facing decline, Robert Horner initiated a rebuild, completed in 1893, costing £80,000, marking a pivotal moment in its architectural history. The City of London's acquisition in 1920 led to further extensions eight years later, adapting the market's structure to increasing demand.

The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw substantial regeneration efforts, culminating in 2005 with the addition of Bishops Square and Crispin Place, alongside public art installations, retailers, and restaurants, showcasing a blend of historical preservation and modern design. The area's architectural heritage also includes significant religious structures, such as Christ Church, Spitalfields, dating back to 1729 when Spitalfields became an independent parish. The now-demolished St Stephen Spitalfields, built in 1860, further contributed to the area's architectural diversity.

The survival of Georgian terraced houses, once inhabited by Huguenots and Russian Jewish leatherworkers, exemplifies the area's layered history. Dennis Severs' House in Folgate Street offers a unique "still-life drama," illustrating the lives of Huguenot silk weavers, while the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings maintains its headquarters in a preserved Georgian building on Spital Square. These elements collectively highlight Spitalfields Market's architectural significance, reflecting its dynamic past and ongoing cultural relevance.

Spitalfields Market

Did You Know?

Market Origins

Early Focus

Christ Church Connection

Huguenot Heritage

Highlights from Reviews

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