Proposals for market operations revealed

Proposals to radically change the way in which the capital's food markets operate were last week revealed by the Corporation of London and included catering suppliers being concentrated in New Covent Garden.

The details were announced in an official response to the Government's Review of London's Wholesale Markets, published last November. This called for London to develop three composite markets, at Spitalfields, New Covent Garden and Western International in Hounslow. The report suggested that, rather than specialising in either meat or fish or fruit and vegetables, the three markets should trade in all food. Derestricting the markets, it was suggested, would give caterers and restaurants a more efficient supply.

Under the corporation's plans, traders from Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets, which it already controls, would be relocated to the Spitalfields Market. The corporation would also take over responsibility for New Covent Garden market.

However, the Government's original suggestion was that food manufacturers, such as sandwich makers, would operate out of New Covent Garden, allowing equipment companies associated with the catering industry to base themselves at the improved site and be combined with relocated traders from Billingsgate and Smithfield.

Dr Mike Liggins, general manager for the Covent Garden Market Authority, supports the Government's original idea of freeing up the markets: "I don't think that further compartmentalisation [as suggested by the corporation] would be a good model," he said.

All the comments will now be handed over to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which will present its findings later this year.