Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Bethnal Green
A Fish Auction in Columbia Market
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
A Fish Auction in Columbia Market
In 1869 Baroness Burdett-Coutts paid for the building of the great Columbia Market (for fish) between Hackney and Bethnal Green Roads on the site of Nova Scotia Gardens, a squalid area of tenements and hovels and dust heaps. The cost of building the market was estimated at 200, 000. It was a philanthropic enterprise to make a clearance of the slum dwellings which clustered so thickly in the area but also to help the local people to have supplies of cheap fresh produce. Lack of support from wholesalers and small traders who preferred the open streets ensured its failure and it closed in 1885 and eventually became a bit of a white elephant and was demolished between 1958 and 1966"
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4370832
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10217312
1869 1871 1885 1958 1966 Area Auction Baroness Bethnal Burdett Cheap Clearance Closed Clustered Columbia Cost Coutts Demolished Dust Dwellings Elephant Enterprise Estimated Eventually Failure Fresh Hackney Heaps Historica Lack Nova Paid Philanthropic Preferred Produce Roads Scotia Slum Squalid Supplies Support Tenements Traders Ensured Wholesalers
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Fishes
> E
> Elephant Fish
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Boroughs
> Hackney
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Slums
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Bethnal Green
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Hackney
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Hither Green
EDITORS COMMENTS
"This evocative photograph captures the bustling scene of a fish auction at Columbia Market in London, England, in the late 19th century. The market, which opened in 1869, was a philanthropic enterprise initiated by Baroness Burdett-Coutts to provide the local community with access to cheap, fresh produce and clear the area of overcrowded slums and squalid living conditions. The cost of building the market was estimated at a substantial 200,000 pounds, but despite the noble intentions, it failed to gain the support of wholesalers and small traders who preferred the open streets. The market, located between Hackney and Bethnal Green Roads, was a significant improvement over the Nova Scotia Gardens that once stood on the site. The gardens were a notorious slum area characterized by tenements, hovels, and dust heaps. The clearance of these dwellings was a much-needed endeavor, but the market's failure in 1885 left it as a bit of a white elephant. Eventually, the market was demolished between 1958 and 1966. The fish auction depicted in this photograph is a testament to the market's purpose, with local people gathered to purchase fresh fish at reasonable prices. The market may have been a commercial failure, but its legacy lives on in the history of London's efforts to improve living conditions for its residents." [Image Description: A crowded fish auction at Columbia Market in London, England, in the late 19th century. Local people are gathered around tables, haggling over fish with fishmongers. The market building is visible in the background, with large windows and a clock tower. The scene is bustling with activity, and there is a sense of urgency in the air as people try to secure the best catches of the day.]
MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.