It was only after an epic battle for Spitalfields’ rich heritage by local conservationists that many of the area’s 17th and 18th century houses were preserved from redevelopment ten years ago.
Now the property developers are moving in
again, this time to demolish the 1929 London Fruit and Wool
Exchange and adjacent buildings to erect another office building in
Spitalfields, a decision ratified by London mayor Boris Johnson
recently after strong opposition by residents and Tower Hamlets
council.
But at least Old Spitalfields Market looks
set to continue as the busy tourist magnet that it is, with markets
most days of the week and vintage, designer markets and a general
market on Saturdays.
A new addition to the area is Nelson
Events' monthly art and books market at London's Old
Spitalfields Market, which launched on Saturday, September 29.
Nelson had been encouraged by exhibitors at their Newmarket and
Ally Pally fairs to start the market and the tally at the first
Spitalfields event was some 80 dealers.
There were 60 stalls - of which 30 were art,
some of it local, including prints, contemporary work and
watercolours, with 20 book and ten antique stalls, including Art
Deco and collectables.
Old Spitalfields Market is certainly a
lively place for antiques. Mike Collins of Sherman and
Waterman holds his very buzzy antiques and vintage flea
market there every Thursday; he did try a Saturday market earlier
this year but it didn't work out.
"It was a very encouraging start so I'm
hoping we've stumbled across a winner," said Paul
Kelly of Nelson Events, who plans to build this market to 150
dealers.
The next art and book market is on Saturday,
October 27.
Tel: 01263 888111.
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