Councillors approved plans to move historic City of London wholesale markets to Dagenham last night (22 March).
The news follows a string of new investments in Barking and Dagenham.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “This is yet more great news for the borough. The move will bring jobs as well as new training opportunities as part of our plans to establish a food school locally. Along with the plans we announced last week for a second film studio, confirming our status as London’s Hollywood, this confirms our commitment to securing the recovery in the local economy.
“I am particularly pleased with the intention to use the River Thames to move freight to and from the markets. Together with the Thames freeport, this will help reduce the capital’s carbon footprint at the same time as promoting green, sustainable jobs.”
Last night’s approval was subject to any direction from the Mayor of London and the completion of a S106 legal agreement. The Heads of Terms of the S106 were set out in the report and provide huge benefits for the borough.
They include:
- Improvement works to the Goresbrook Interchange as well as £2 million for improvements to the A13
- £2.95 mil for improvements to local bus services
- A specialist food school with two campuses in the borough – one at Dagenham Dock and another at Barking Town Centre.
- £1.75m towards the development and construction of a Food Hub in Barking Town Centre as part of the Barking Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. The Food Hub will feature independent food and drink outlets and stalls with fresh produce straight from the markets. It will be part of a major drive to create a vibrant night-time economy in Barking
- £1m towards a food activation programme, which will seek to support and grow the food industry in the borough and maximise employment and business opportunities.
- £1mil towards employment support and training to enable residents to access jobs on the new markets site
- £850,000 towards public realm enhancements at Dagenham Dock station.
Cllr Rodwell added: “The move of these iconic markets to our borough will bring in hundreds of millions to the local economy and more jobs and educational opportunities for local people including a new food school which will develop the master chefs of the future.”
