Quotes on Smithfield

The imposing facade of the Red House cold store, imitating Jones' architectural vocabulary, holds its own against the drab post-war office developments that surround the area.

"It could be argued that none of this is worth preserving, that the main building does not deserve its Grade II* preservation listing, that the defunct GLC's declaration of a Conservation Area was unmerited, and that it should be swept away for another Barbican development.

The contrary argument is that the handsome 17th century gateway of Bart's hospital, enclosing the splendid inner courtyard by James Gibbs (the architect if St. Martin's in the Fields), the two churches of St Bartholemew whose dedications date back to the 12th Century, the Tudor gateway, the Georgian houses of Charterhouse Square and the surviving buildings of Charterhouse Square and the surviving buildings of the ancient Charterhouse Monastery, all contribute to the character of a small part of the City that is now unique in its survival, and that this should be preserved

Smithfield can be reinforced as a community, its low horizons and domestic scale of living a working relic of the City of old, its economy enhanced with a new cultural and entertainment base - this is the true vision of the future, not the outmoded, yet deadly idea of yet more offices."

"Smithfield is one of the great Victorian market complexes, designed by an acknowledged expert, Horace Jones. The scale of the buildings and their association with the surrounding area is vital to our understanding of the breadth of vision the Victorians had in producing centralised hygienic trading areas for key produce. The Market played a vital role in hygienic meat trading, key to the growth of London. Given the ease with which the buildings could be adapted for new uses it would be near-criminal to damage the cohesion of the complex which is one of the largest market areas in the country."

The interior of the General Market Building, known affectionately as the "village", with offices above the stalls. Its potential is obvious, if untapped.

"The Victorian buildings and architecture of the area are pleasing to the eye and people always comment on how nice the original market buildings are, obviously in contrast to the building we are in now" [The ironically named Central Markets - a 1960s point block which is a typical example of the dreadful buildings dumped on Farringdon Road, replacing another Horace Jones building).

"I've worked here for the last ten years on and off and I really like the space - the buildings are very grand - a real presence and a real landmark and reference point for the start of the City, known across the country. An office block would just be a boring extension of the City."

You will find the beauty in so many details, here the dormers at the former Fish Market

"Smithfield is a vibrant, buzzing area which has rapidly developed over the last five years, attracting and eclectic mix of young London."

"The uniqueness of the area is Smithfield Market - the area operates 24 hours per day, and it has life and soul. Take away the market and you take away its heart. Smiths is a Grade II listed buildings and preserving its heritage is very important to us - the vernacular of the area is what its all about - people come here due to what is still here."

The Central Cafe in the General Market Building. The General Market supported a thriving community and ahs the potential to do so once again.

A bronze pineapple above Jones's typically playful metalwork welcomes you to the General Market Building.

"Horace Jones's General Market buildings are among the last great Victorian public buildings in the City and one of the last grand Victorian frontages along the Farringdon Road. They should not be sacrificed lightly. It is beyond belief that modern architecture cannot find a way of retaining them, as at Billingsgate."

"The General Market buildings are an important part of the whole market and to the development of the Smithfield market complex from 1868 onwards. It makes a very important contribution to the whole street on, Farringdon Road and Charterhouse Street particularly, and I would argue its retention and reuse is very important to the character and appearance of the area. There are plenty of other groups of buildings that have suffered war damage and yet are listed, so why not Smithfield?"

A glance at the interior of the former Fish Market

"The plan to demolish part of Smithfield Market to build another faceless office block is sadly predictable and short-sighted. The Corporation of London must understand the long-term potential of an imaginative use of the market buildings which would keep this historic area alive and preserve a diverse environment in the over-developed City."