About Billingsgate Market

Date updated: 28/02/2023

Billingsgate Market is the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market. An average of 25,000 tonnes of fish and fish products are sold through its merchants each year. Approximately 40% of that tonnage comprises fish imported from abroad.

Billingsgate is served by almost every port in the United Kingdom. Most of the fish is transported by road directly from the coast and arrives at the market in the early hours of the morning.

Market layout

The Market complex covers an area of 13 acres and is entirely self-contained. The ground floor of the building comprises a large trading hall with 98 stands and 30 shops, including two cafes; a number of individual cold rooms; an 800 tonne freezer store (maintained at a temperature of -26°C); an ice making plant and 14 lock-up shops used by processors, catering suppliers and merchants dealing primarily in trade sundries, non-perishables and potatoes.

Billingsgate Market Hall Layout PDF (46KB)

Date submitted: 21/11/19

Markets Bill

The City of London Corporation submitted a Private Bill to Parliament on Monday 28 November to relocate Billingsgate Market and Smithfield Market to Dagenham Dock.

More information on our Markets Co-location Programme can be found on our dedicated website.

City of London (Markets) Bill PDF (373KB)

Date submitted: 29/11/22

Site Market Map PDF (2MB)

Date submitted: 29/11/22

The first floor of the building consists of offices for use by the General Manager and his staff; the London Fish Merchants' Association, and for individual traders.

The Market is policed by Market Constables, appointed by the General Manager and Head of Security, who are supervised by 2 Market Sergeants.

Day-to-day cleaning and maintenance of the site and facilities is carried out by a team of City of London staff under the direction of the Market Site Manager.

Background and product information

Each trading day at Billingsgate Market offers buyers an opportunity to see the largest selection of fish in the United Kingdom.

Daily arrivals from the coast and overseas ensure a continuity of fresh supplies from over 40 merchants offering a wide selection of fish and fish products, cooking oils, potatoes, trade sundries, and restaurant and catering supplies.

Some merchants offer a delivery service, serving London and the Home Counties and - on arrangement - dispatch to most parts of the country.

For more information about individual merchants and their service offering, please contact the merchants directly.