Markets in London have their origins in the middle ages and ancient charter; set up to serve the population of the City of London. Over time, some emerged as wholesale markets serving specific market segments — such as the sale of vegetables, meat, or fish. With an expanding metropolis in the 18th and 19th centuries, street markets were set up to meet the needs of the new suburbs. With the introduction of trams on the streets of London, these were moved (sometimes forcibly) into neighbouring side streets, or new covered markets.
Below are some amazing vintage photos that show everyday life in London's markets from the 1900s to the 1930s.
Billingsgate Market, c.1910 |
Billingsgate Market, c.1910 |
Clare Market c.1900 |
Caledonian Rd Market, c.1910 |
Book sale at Caledonian Rd Market, c.1910 |
Covent Garden Market, c.1920 |
Covent Garden Market, 1925 |
Covent Garden Market, Floral Hall, c.1910 |
Leadenhall Market, Christmas 1935 |
East St Market, c.1910 |
Caledonian Rd Market, c.1910 |
Caledonian Rd Market, c.1910 |
Leadenhall Market, c.1910 |
Porters at Smithfield Market, c.1910 |
Whitechapel Hay Market c.1920 (looking towards Aldgate) |
Whitechapel Hay Market, c.1920 (looking east towards Whitechapel) |
Leather Lane Market, 1936 |
Covent Garden Market, c.1910 |
Hoxton Market, Shoreditch, 1910 |
Covent Garden, c.1910 |
Spitalfields Market, c.1930 |
(Images courtesy Bishopsgate Institute, via Spitalfields Life)