Bags of Taste Successfuly Appeals Right to Testify Against Food Market Closures
Bags of Taste went to the Court of Referees on Monday 3rd March, to defend the attempts by the Corporation of London to limit the petition.
They objected to Bags of Taste's right to be heard, and attempted to limit the rights of the 3 fishmongers to speak from 9 points in the original petition, to 2.
Bags of Taste needed to win either of these objections. If Bags of Taste won, it could speak to the wider concerns detailed in the petition, even if the fishmongers were gagged.
If the fishmongers won, then they would still have the ability to speak about all the 9 points that were originally brought up.
The fishmongers won. This puts them in a much stronger position than they would otherwise have been, so this is a victory.
Alicia Weston from Bags of Taste will still be speaking on their behalf as their representative.
Here is a link to Alicia's Appeal:
City of London Silences Opposition
The London (Markets) Bill will sever the City of London Corporation’s responsibility for Smithfield and Billingsgate markets, eliminating any guarantee of relocation and ending their role as a lifeline for our poorest communities.
This alarming prospect is covered in a BBC Radio 4 Special of The Food Programme: entitled 'Closing London's 'Kitchen of the Universe' Listen here FoodProgramme
On it you can hear Chris Haywood, Political Leader of City of London, responding to our petition, saying the closures will be good for the markets' customers and welcoming the huge Property Development of the former Billingsgate Market site.
The programme will be repeated at 10.15pm on Saturday 1st March.
Using Parliamentary procedure, The City of London has powerfully stamped out counter views, including our own to silence opposition.
There is only one remaining objection to the City of London rushing through its closure legislation. Three small fishmongers from Hackney and Bags of Taste, an organisation supporting people on low incomes, throughout London and the South East, to eat better diets.
You can read more about this here: LondonWorld
On Monday, Alicia Weston of Bags of Taste, will be fighting for the right to be heard by Parliament, as the Corporation of London is trying to kick them off the petition. You can watch at 3pm on Parliament TV.
Bags of Taste argues that the closure of Smithfield and Billingsgate, with no replacement, will not only impact the food security of London and the South East, but also disproportionately affect people in poverty who use, either directly or indirectly, the markets.
Many smaller markets, butchers and fishmongers are supplied direct from Billingsgate. You can read their whole petition here Parliament
We will continue to keep you informed of the next stages but please continue to share this petition and let's raise awareness of this issue and make sure our voices are heard! We can still influence Parliament and block this Bill!
Parliament Will not Hear us!
The Save Smithfield Campaign successfully submitted an objection to a Parliamentary Bill lodged by the City of London Corporation to close Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets.
Following our submission to Parliament, The City of London Corporation raised an objection to our petition on the grounds that we were not directly affected by the closure and that neither did our 35,700 petition signaturiies directly object to the Bill.
These requirements are applicable to Private Bills of this nature and we do not meet them. But it is a shame that the wider public cannot object to legislation that affects wider communities of the UK outside the environs of the markets.
As a result, the Save Smithfield Campaign's Petition will not be heard by the Select Committee of MPs, leading to the closure of Smihfield and Billingsgate markets going through without our campaign being heard.
We will of course continue with our campaign, spurred on by the vast groundswell of public objection to the loss of these vital institutions both in terms of British heritage, the economy, and food security for the eonomically disadvantaged.
Here is our objection to the Bill as lodged with Parliament:
House of Commons
City of London (Markets) Bill
1.I represent the 31,000 people who have signed the Save Smithfield Market petition on Change.org. As a UK citizen, London is my capital city, and while I currently reside in Cardiff, I lived and worked in London for 13 years, including six years in the City of London. I care deeply about London’s economic well-being and heritage, which are both at risk if this Bill proceeds.I also represent the Indian community of Cardiff where many families rely on food from these wholesale markets.
2.The City of London has a duty as the custodian of Smithfield Market, which has served as a vital food hub for the people of London for nearly 1,000 years. My concerns about its closure extend equally to Billingsgate Market, another key part of London’s food infrastructure.
3.Generations before us have safeguarded these historic markets through economic downturns and the devastation of two world wars. The current generation entrusted with the City of London’s governance must do the same, recognising that Smithfield and Billingsgate are essential lifelines for London and beyond.
4.These markets are irreplaceable assets that must be preserved not only for their historical and cultural significance but also for their crucial role in food security. Closing or selling them off would be a short-sighted failure of leadership, impacting rising inflation and one that Londoners will regret for decades to come.
5.The food infrastructure of London depends on Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets. Their closure would severely impact countless communities, including low-income families, schools, the NHS, the Police, and many others who rely on these wholesale markets for affordable and quality sustenance.
6.Moreover, these markets serve far beyond London. Even here in Cardiff, I know of Indian communities that send members to buy food from these markets weekly. They are a vital resource for communities across the UK, reinforcing the national importance of their continued existence.
7.London’s markets—Borough Market, New Covent Garden, Spitalfields, Smithfield, and Billingsgate - are world-renowned. Closing two of these major institutions would be nothing short of a dereliction of duty by the City of London Corporation.
8.The goal should not be to close Smithfield and Billingsgate but to invest in their future. We must ensure they continue to thrive as major economic drivers for London and the wider UK.
9.I urge you to reject this Bill and to work towards a sustainable plan that secures the future of Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets.
End
Feb
2025
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