Smithfield Market, a crucial part of London's cultural history since the 12th Century, faces closure as support from the City of London Corporation is withdrawn.
Originally located outside medieval walls, Smithfield has been a site for livestock trading since at least the 1100s, noted for its bustling activity and significance.
Charles Dickens famously critiqued the chaotic atmosphere of the market, describing it in "Oliver Twist" as a mix of people, animals, and debris, capturing its vibrant yet messy character.
Despite once being heralded by Daniel Defoe as 'the greatest in the world,' the objections to the combination of livestock and urban life led to changes in the marketplace.
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