Alan Bennett and Jeanette Winterson among those protesting to American developer over plan to 'gut' architectural jewel
A young boy pushing a trolley in front of the Central Meat Market at Smithfield, circa 1890. Photograph: London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images
Campaigners battling to save one of Britain's finest Victorian market buildings from what they see as a "destructive" redevelopment are set to take their battle across the Atlantic.
In a first for architectural conservation, a UK heritage group has set its sights on persuading global asset management firms based in North America – one of which recently launched a multibillion pound joint venture with British backers of a controversial scheme to refurbish London's Smithfield Market – to respect British architectural heritage.
Conservation groups, historians and an array of prominent figures, including Alan Bennett, Patricia Routledge, Julian Lloyd Webber, Jeanette Winterson and Glenda Jackson, were outraged at the decision taken last week by the market's freeholder, the Corporation of London, to approve a radical redevelopment scheme backed by the asset management firm Henderson Global Investors.
Designed by Sir Horace Jones, the creator of Tower Bridge, Smithfield Central Market opened in 1868 as the capital's main wholesale market for meat. Concern surrounds the future of the nearby Fish Market (1888), the Red House cold store (1899) and the General Market (1888). Much of the market complex is Grade II* listed, placing it in the higher ranks of protected historic buildings in England. The General Market, however, is not listed.
The Henderson scheme involves the removal of a large amount of original fittings and interiors to create a steel-and-glass space for shops, restaurants and offices. The General Market would be cleared back to its external walls and adapted to house office blocks. A large office block is proposed behind the facade of the Red House. Original glass-and-timber roofs would be removed.
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In a first for architectural conservation, a UK heritage group has set its sights on persuading global asset management firms based in North America – one of which recently launched a multibillion pound joint venture with British backers of a controversial scheme to refurbish London's Smithfield Market – to respect British architectural heritage.
Conservation groups, historians and an array of prominent figures, including Alan Bennett, Patricia Routledge, Julian Lloyd Webber, Jeanette Winterson and Glenda Jackson, were outraged at the decision taken last week by the market's freeholder, the Corporation of London, to approve a radical redevelopment scheme backed by the asset management firm Henderson Global Investors.
Designed by Sir Horace Jones, the creator of Tower Bridge, Smithfield Central Market opened in 1868 as the capital's main wholesale market for meat. Concern surrounds the future of the nearby Fish Market (1888), the Red House cold store (1899) and the General Market (1888). Much of the market complex is Grade II* listed, placing it in the higher ranks of protected historic buildings in England. The General Market, however, is not listed.
The Henderson scheme involves the removal of a large amount of original fittings and interiors to create a steel-and-glass space for shops, restaurants and offices. The General Market would be cleared back to its external walls and adapted to house office blocks. A large office block is proposed behind the facade of the Red House. Original glass-and-timber roofs would be removed.
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