Thank you so much for this post. I was initially shocked as both markets have a long tradition in East London. Then I was upset for those who have worked there all their lives, some families have generations of people who have worked there. Plus as a business owner you may plan to pass what you’ve worked hard to build up onto your children. But, ultimately it is a symptom of changing times. At my age I’ve seen a lot of change, both around where I live, and across London and around the world. Looking back it’s quite exhilarating thinking of the pace of change that has happened. This is just another part of that change. Now, my concert is that everyone will get the compensation they deserve and need and whatever job or business they set up, is not based on animal exploitation or cruelty. These changes are indeed what happens, the victims of this are often ordinary hard working people. No doubt the land will be used for flats that ordinary working class people will not be able to afford, or a shopping centre because we don’t have enough of those do we?
I admit I was shocked too because they're such historic fixtures. I too am concerned about people who work there. And they deserve a just and fair transition. The UK doesn't have a good track record but I hope for them. They don't deserve to be abandoned, cheated or to be treated unfairly. No one does! That is the actual point to this entire thing we call life.
When I lived in Clerkenwell, the area was still very mixed in terms of class and activities. A number of the last bastions of certain trades were still there (clocks, bookbinding and others). That's all gone. The maw of capitalism was coming for all of them and it's not pretty. I suspect people have been seeing that for a long time. I don't know.
Like you, I worry about the redevelopment. Reframing this stuff and calling it what it is. It's a class struggle without a doubt. And that's what we should also redouble our efforts on. I have some hope for no reason other than I must.
We are very much like minded on this and it is indeed a class struggle. And you’re right, they will be dumped on most likely as that is the way Capitalism works - how else do the few make money except through the exploitation of the many. For me the liberation of the working class is also intertwined with the liberation of all living creatures. I am old enough to remember those trades and how they seem lost in the modern digital world of AI. I sound like a grumpy old geezer! 🤣
Before reading your comment, I just edited my earlier response to you to include non-human animals as the largest working class. I’ve seen alot of sustainable ways of making a living get devoured by capitalism. It’s not pretty. I don’t yet know what AI will do. I’m sure it’ll also be used for alot of excuses to immiserate people even if it might not need to per se
From public perspective, I am pleased to see these places close. The visceral smell of death that surrounds places that sell animal carcasses has made me feel physically sick since I was a child. A trip to the butchers shop with me a buggy was punctuated by the sound of my wailing my mother has reliably informed me! I would walk a different route to avoid these places in London despite their striking appearance and attractive local businesses (Pastan!).
Beyond my own selfish experience of these areas of London, it felt like the end of animal trade in the open air. And then I remembered every farmers market I go to, and Borough market. Of course, it's not.
My instinct was to celebrate this end of an era but upon reading your post, I am, as usual when reading your work, humbled and reminded to de-centre myself when thinking about these things. To be realistic about both what this signifies, the consequences (and for whom). Am I naive to imagine this could become a hub for culture, community and sustainable living? I hope not.
Thank you for this comment. And spot on about decentering ourselves. It’s the only way to understand what’s really happening. I’m hopeful for something new and wonderful. Why not? I’m going to choose to be hopeful for now, until I see otherwise. So I’m with you there
This is welcome news to me. Long time ago, right about the time I was about to meet my first vegan and follow suit, I worked in a pub near Smithfield. Working people in their butcher suits and white aprons streaked in blood came in for a pint, even when most pubs were closed by law in the early morning hours, because meat processing was a 24-hour activity, and workers had to have access to beer in their breaks, of course. The fancier people went upstairs, by the separate door, in their business clothes; and they ordered their eggs and sausages and ham with their breakfast wines and beers.
Thank you so much for this post. I was initially shocked as both markets have a long tradition in East London. Then I was upset for those who have worked there all their lives, some families have generations of people who have worked there. Plus as a business owner you may plan to pass what you’ve worked hard to build up onto your children. But, ultimately it is a symptom of changing times. At my age I’ve seen a lot of change, both around where I live, and across London and around the world. Looking back it’s quite exhilarating thinking of the pace of change that has happened. This is just another part of that change. Now, my concert is that everyone will get the compensation they deserve and need and whatever job or business they set up, is not based on animal exploitation or cruelty. These changes are indeed what happens, the victims of this are often ordinary hard working people. No doubt the land will be used for flats that ordinary working class people will not be able to afford, or a shopping centre because we don’t have enough of those do we?
I admit I was shocked too because they're such historic fixtures. I too am concerned about people who work there. And they deserve a just and fair transition. The UK doesn't have a good track record but I hope for them. They don't deserve to be abandoned, cheated or to be treated unfairly. No one does! That is the actual point to this entire thing we call life.
When I lived in Clerkenwell, the area was still very mixed in terms of class and activities. A number of the last bastions of certain trades were still there (clocks, bookbinding and others). That's all gone. The maw of capitalism was coming for all of them and it's not pretty. I suspect people have been seeing that for a long time. I don't know.
Like you, I worry about the redevelopment. Reframing this stuff and calling it what it is. It's a class struggle without a doubt. And that's what we should also redouble our efforts on. I have some hope for no reason other than I must.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
We are very much like minded on this and it is indeed a class struggle. And you’re right, they will be dumped on most likely as that is the way Capitalism works - how else do the few make money except through the exploitation of the many. For me the liberation of the working class is also intertwined with the liberation of all living creatures. I am old enough to remember those trades and how they seem lost in the modern digital world of AI. I sound like a grumpy old geezer! 🤣
Before reading your comment, I just edited my earlier response to you to include non-human animals as the largest working class. I’ve seen alot of sustainable ways of making a living get devoured by capitalism. It’s not pretty. I don’t yet know what AI will do. I’m sure it’ll also be used for alot of excuses to immiserate people even if it might not need to per se
From public perspective, I am pleased to see these places close. The visceral smell of death that surrounds places that sell animal carcasses has made me feel physically sick since I was a child. A trip to the butchers shop with me a buggy was punctuated by the sound of my wailing my mother has reliably informed me! I would walk a different route to avoid these places in London despite their striking appearance and attractive local businesses (Pastan!).
Beyond my own selfish experience of these areas of London, it felt like the end of animal trade in the open air. And then I remembered every farmers market I go to, and Borough market. Of course, it's not.
My instinct was to celebrate this end of an era but upon reading your post, I am, as usual when reading your work, humbled and reminded to de-centre myself when thinking about these things. To be realistic about both what this signifies, the consequences (and for whom). Am I naive to imagine this could become a hub for culture, community and sustainable living? I hope not.
Thank you for this comment. And spot on about decentering ourselves. It’s the only way to understand what’s really happening. I’m hopeful for something new and wonderful. Why not? I’m going to choose to be hopeful for now, until I see otherwise. So I’m with you there
This is welcome news to me. Long time ago, right about the time I was about to meet my first vegan and follow suit, I worked in a pub near Smithfield. Working people in their butcher suits and white aprons streaked in blood came in for a pint, even when most pubs were closed by law in the early morning hours, because meat processing was a 24-hour activity, and workers had to have access to beer in their breaks, of course. The fancier people went upstairs, by the separate door, in their business clothes; and they ordered their eggs and sausages and ham with their breakfast wines and beers.
Yeah I know those pubs. I didn’t realise you lived and worked in London too. Now it can all be hidden that much more