Museum of London Smithfield move: plan for new £337m space at meat market gets green light

The director of the Museum of London today hailed a “fantastic” move by planners to give the go-ahead to a major new £337 million space for the attraction in Smithfield.

On Tuesday, the City of London Corporation approved plans from the museum to create a new cultural attraction within a series of buildings in the historic market area.

The site, which will be set over a number of Victorian market buildings many of which are in disrepair, will provide a state-of-the-art home to some seven million objects that tell the rich history of the capital.

It will also include a centre offering 24-hour access for young people to learn about the city.

The museum’s director, Sharon Ament, said she was “over the moon” with the “huge milestone” to see the vision come to life.

Ms Ament added: “This is going to be a phenomenal space and having planners approve it is a huge milestone step for us.”

The City of London Corporation has donated £197 million of the £337 million needed. Mayor Sadiq Khan has given another £70 million.

The museum has so far secured £27 million of the remaining £70 million needed before the project is delivered.