Every morning from Tuesday to Saturday, Billingsgate Market, the largest fish market in the UK serves up the best seafood in London. Dating back to the 16th and 17th century, the market was officially recognised by an “Act of the Parliament” in 1699t. At the time it was nothing more than a few sheds erected close to one another where fishmongers from the wharf came to sell their produce. The city architect J.B. Bunning rebuilt the market in 1850. One customer said ‘I went there this saturday and came home with 2 kilos of crayfish for £9. A true bargain, however be sure to scrutinize what ever you are buying’
Located on the Isle of Dogs in Poplar and run by the City of London who pays the “price of one fish” to the freehold owners London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Traditionally only licensed porters carted fish around the market, however they were retired from service to make way for lovers of seafood from all over town. The market today remains open from 6 in the morning to 8.30 in the evenings from Tuesday to Saturday.
Billingsgate Seafood Training School
In the year 2000, a training school was established at Billingsgate, modelled after the Sydney Seafood School in Australia. The school enjoys support from the tradesmen and the city of London. The school encourages youngsters to both enjoy and understand seafood. At the time fish consumption was at an all time low while obesity was high.
The seafood school brought a solution to both traders and consumers by encouraging the consumption of fish. Over the last decade, the school has grown consistently and now trains upward of 6000 people annually majority of which are children. There are also professional courses for the aspiring professionals.
Also included are seminars, workshops, and other events hosted by the school where talks are given by industry icons. Courses are designed to accommodate most budgets, requirements, and schedules.
Apart from the fish market and school there is an order and delivery service which delivers produce to almost all of UK. The market caters to both retailers as well as individual buyers.
Address: Trafalgar Way, London E14 5ST Phone: 020 7987 1118 Nearest Tube: Canary Wharf Station Website: http://www.billingsgatefishmarket.org/
The post Shopping for Fish at Billingsgate Market appeared first on Felix Magazine.
No comments:
Post a Comment