Tenants’ Association

The Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association began life as the London Central Meat & Poultry Markets Association in 1869, the year after the new market buildings were opened.

The Association is governed by an elected Council made up of 20 senior Directors, on a voluntary basis. They represent different Companies and between them cover the complete range of commodities sold on the market. The Chairman is elected by the Council on an annual basis.

The aims of the Association are to protect the commercial and employment interests of its Members. However, it has always been keen to celebrate major milestones in the life of Smithfield Market. In 2004, there was a party in Smithfield to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of war-time rationing and in 2008 a Banquet was held in Grand Avenue, at the centre of the meat market, recreating (for the 140th anniversary) the opening celebrations of the new market buildings.

There have been many visitors to the market over the years, but the best loved must be HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who was present at the Market Centenary Celebrations in 1968. She visited again in 1982 and 1986 at the Association’s invitation – and was serenaded by market workers singing If you were the only girl in the world. She also opened the refurbished East Market Building in June 1997. In more recent years, HRH The Princess Royal has carried on these visits, including the rededication of the Smithfield war memorial in 2005.