The City of London Corporation has appointed Turner & Townsend to project manage the construction of a purpose-built wholesale market facility in Dagenham Dock and Gardiner & Theobald as cost consultants.

The new site is set to become the future home of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets as part of the City Corporation’s Market Co-Location Programme.

The City Corporation was awarded outline planning approval by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in March for the plans which would co-locate the three historic markets together for the first time. The concept design for the site will be progressed in September.

The appointment of Turner & Townsend and Gardiner & Theobald was awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework and will see the contractors deliver project and cost management services.

Turner & Townsend have been tasked with defining the requirements for pre-construction services (including enabling works, surveying and testing of the site and substructures), the management of the construction of three new markets and their ancillary buildings, and with managing the highways and public realm works to meet planning obligations.

Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, Catherine McGuinness, said:

“The appointment of Turner & Townsend and Gardiner & Theobald marks another significant step towards realising our vision of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets growing and thriving alongside one another at a single state-of-the-art location.

“The Market Co-Location Programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create one of Europe’s largest wholesale market destinations. It has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs, training opportunities, millions of pounds to the local economy and billions of pounds to the national economy.

“We are confident our plans will give our markets and traders the modern facilities they need to thrive and grow, delivering significant benefits for future generations.”

Director at Turner & Townsend, Steve Perkins, said:

“Market developments are complex and multi-faceted, requiring a full understanding of tenants’ businesses and fresh produce logistics, site operations, health and safety, and customer experience. We are looking forward to working with the City of London Corporation, its tenants, and its partners, as well as the new community in Barking, to deliver an exemplar facility reflecting the critical role the traders of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield play in supplying the capital’s fresh produce market.

“Supporting the traders through this migration is critical to the long-term success of this relocation programme. We have significant experience working with Covent Garden Market Authority and Birmingham City Council in the delivery of their new wholesale market facilities, and our team will work in close collaboration with the City Corporation as they develop and refine their proposals, setting this incredible programme up for success.”

Partner at Gardiner & Theobald LLP, Gavin Murgatroyd, said:

“We’re delighted to be part of the team which will deliver this landmark project to create a new home for Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets at Dagenham Dock. It is going to be an exciting new chapter for three of London’s most iconic food markets.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Turner & Townsend:
Turner & Townsend is an independent professional services company specialising in program management, project management, cost and commercial management and advisory across the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

With 111 offices in 45 countries, we draw on our extensive global and industry experience to manage risk while maximising value and performance during the construction and operation of our clients’ assets. www.turnerandtownsend.com

About Gardiner & Theobald:
Gardiner & Theobald is an independent construction and property consultancy delivering cost management, project management and specialist consultancy for the built environment. We are passionate about delivering a truly world class service for our clients, investing in the best people to deliver that service and making a positive impact on the communities in which we work. www.gardiner.com

About the City Corporation’s Markets Co-Location Programme:

The Markets Co-Location Programme (MCP) has been developed by the City of London Corporation to bring together the three historic markets – Billingsgate (fish), New Spitalfields (fruit & veg) and Smithfield (meat) – to one single site.

The City Corporation’s number one priority is to maintain a top-quality market environment that continues to serve London and the south east, however each market is facing a series of pressing and complex challenges. The condition and quality of the buildings are below what is expected of a modern wholesale market. This – along with the many constraints of the buildings – means the ability for businesses to maintain high standards and grow is an ongoing concern.

Dagenham Dock has been chosen as the only viable site to secure the long-term futures of the markets. It will help to reduce unsustainable levels of traffic congestion in central London, improve the capital’s air quality and free up the existing sites for new homes and the City Corporation’s Culture Mile ambitions. For more information, please visit: https://www.wholesalemarkets.co.uk/.

Shani Annand-Baron
Media Officer (Planning and Transportation)
City of London Corporation
E: shani.annand-baron@cityoflondon.gov.uk