The new market on the site of the former Barking Reach Power Station will be the new home for the Capital’s three main wholesale markets, and will be the largest in the UK when built.

Billingsgate (fish), New Spitalfields (fruit, vegetables and flowers) and Smithfield (meat and poultry) markets will be brought together for the first time in their histories at the landmark Dagenham Dock scheme.

The identity of each market will be retained in interconnected buildings at the 42 acres site

Tendering will start in January 2022.

Designs by architects Chetwoods were submitted for outline planning last Summer.

The new development will be built with sustainable materials and using the latest environmental technology.

As well as providing market tenants with new modern facilities to help protect their futures and grow, the plans will deliver a new food school, which will aim to train tomorrow’s market traders, butchers, fishmongers and fruiterers.

Ahead of procurement getting underway, the Corporation has set out its construction plan.

This will involve extensive enabling works at the site, including utilities and removal of old power station ground floor slabs.

New Market Site Main works will include substructure, frame, cladding, landlords MEP and CAT A fit out.

The project also includes extensive car parking, landscaping and external buildings.

When vacated, the Billingsgate site is reported to have the potential for 1,500 new homes, and New Spitalfields for around 1,200 homes.

Smithfield is being considered as a cultural centre alongside the new Museum of London to be built at the adjacent site.

The soft market testing exercise will be published on the City of London’s e-sourcing portal from 5 March – 16 April.

The City is encouraging contractors to provide written feedback to the overall proposed strategy and content.