Spitalfields Market is a London icon in East London, with a busy traders’ market across the estate and a restored Victorian market hall next door. This guide covers the Traders’ Market at Spitalfields Market (E1). Old Spitalfields Market next door is a separate venue and operator.
Old Spitalfields Market sits in Tower Hamlets, just outside the City, minutes from Liverpool Street station, with Shoreditch High Street station close by.
Expect a fantastic range of makers, vinyl sellers, gifts and fashion, with restaurants that serve quick bites and long lunches.
If you need storage near Spitalfields Market and central routes, HOLD Self Storage Kings Cross is an easy link for stock between markets and home.
Key takeaways
- Open seven days, with rotating special markets and events.
- Wholesale fruit and vegetables moved to Leyton in 1991, creating New Spitalfields Market.
- The Traders’ Market focuses on non-food retail with an application process and set stall rents.
- Private market rules apply; no Tower Hamlets street trading licence is needed for stalls on site.
A short history and where to find it
Spitalfields began as a wholesale fruit and vegetable market with roots in a Royal Charter granted in 1682. The London Corporation later oversaw the wholesale market before operations moved to Leyton in 1991 to a purpose-built site.
Today, Old Spitalfields Market trades in a restored Victorian hall, while the Traders’ Market runs next door at Spitalfields Market (E1).
You will find the market between Brushfield Street and Commercial Street, a short walk from Liverpool Street station and close to Bishopsgate Road. Use the visitor information on the website for current opening times and special date listings.
Time your visit to catch record fairs if vinyl is your thing. Spitalfields has a deep heritage in the area and remains home to a fantastic range of events throughout the year.
What to expect
Start in Crispin Place, the pedestrian spine between Brushfield Street and Lamb Street, where the Traders’ Market sets out designers, vintage fashion, art, homeware and vinyl. Saturdays lean fashion-forward with the Saturday Style Market, featuring up to 88 independent designers from 11 am to 5 pm.
Across the week you will also see rotating pop-ups and an Arts Market on scheduled dates. Loop the edges for coffee, food kiosks and restaurants that trade later than the stalls.
Most traders take cards, and the estate map makes it easy to navigate the lanes. Check the live opening times and events before you go, as the line-up changes by day
What do Londoners think about Spitalfields Market
Insights from Reddit and Tripadvisor
Londoners on Reddit and frequent visitors on TripAdvisor describe Spitalfields as lively and design-led, easy to pair with nearby City sights. The covered setting works on wet days and most stalls take cards. Weekday mornings feel calm; weekends fill fast.
Many locals say it feels more polished than smaller markets, with stronger food options and higher prices at peak times. Go early or later in the day for a smoother browse.
Expect a broad mix across independent fashion, vintage, gifts and vinyl, plus plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants around the edges. Lots of people combine it with Brick Lane or a short walk through the City.
When is Spitafields Market (E1) open?
Traders’ Market
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
- Saturday: 11 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Retail shops
- Typically 10 am to 6 pm
Restaurants and bars
- Often later into the evening
How do I get to Spitafileds Market?
From Liverpool Street
Exit to Bishopsgate, turn left onto Brushfield Street, then right into Crispin Place. 3 to 5 minutes.
From Shoreditch High Street
Walk 8 to 10 minutes via Bethnal Green Road, then south on Commercial Street.
From Aldgate East
Walk 7 to 10 minutes via Whitechapel High Street, then north on Commercial Street.
Bus
Frequent services stop on Bishopsgate and Commercial Street. Follow signs to Spitalfields Market.
Cycle
Santander Cycles and bike racks on and around Brushfield Street and Bishopsgate.
Driving and loading
No dedicated parking. Inside the Congestion Charge and ULEZ zones. Traders use Brushfield Street loading bays during booked windows; confirm your slot.
How to set up a stall at Spitalfields Market
Who runs the market and permits
Spitalfields Market (E1) operates the Traders’ Market on private land (Crispin Place) within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Stalls trade under the site operator’s market licence; a borough street trading licence is not required for these pitches.
A borough street trading licence is not required for these pitches. The wholesale market in Leyton is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.
Eligibility and required documents
Public liability insurance is mandatory. The operator lists recognised brokers and confirms cover must be in place before you sell. Expect to provide product photos, details and links in your application.
Note: Electrical additions on stalls must be battery-powered.
Fees and pitch details
Published stall rents for the Traders’ Market:
- Weekdays from £25 to £30
- Saturdays from £55 to £75 by season
- Sundays from £70 to £90 by season
*Plus VAT if you are VAT registered.
Fees are subject to annual review, and bank holiday rents may vary. Storage is available on site with published fortnightly rates. Stalls use stainless-steel units configured as a tabletop or walk-in. Rents are taken by card only. Check the operator’s fees page for updates.
If you need extra business storage space, HOLD offers a range of climate-secure units with flexible contracts.
Application process step by step
- Complete the online application form for the Traders' Market with product details and links.
- Operator review against stock criteria and availability.
- Confirmation of your date and stall type.
- Card payment for rent and any storage.
- On the day, follow any allocation instructions provided by market management.
On the day
Use loading bays on Brushfield Street. Use loading bays on Brushfield Street. There is no dedicated parking and the area is in the Congestion Charge zone.
Bring branding, signage, tables within your pitch, a card reader, and optional battery lighting. Rents are taken by card only. Follow the premises' waste and recycling rules.
Food traders' extra requirements
Food and drink are not sold on Traders’ Market stalls. If you intend to sell food elsewhere within the Spitalfields estate, register your food business with Tower Hamlets at least 28 days before you start and follow allergen and labelling rules.
Information verified against official operator and council guidance. Last checked: August 2025.
Trader checklist
- Insurance certificate
- ID and right to work evidence
- Product photos and prices
- Card reader and float
- Signage and labels
- Tables and display kit
- Battery lighting and power banks
- Waste plan and packaging
- Storage booking if needed
- Arrival time and access details
Conclusion
Spitalfields Market remains one of London’s most vibrant destinations, blending the heritage of a Victorian market hall with a traders' market full of creativity and independent talent.
Whether you visit for vinyl, fashion, or the fantastic range of restaurants, the site offers something new each time.
For traders, clear steps make it straightforward to apply for a stall and join a market that has been at the heart of East London trade for centuries.
Store stock and personal items with ease
HOLD is redefining self storage in London.
Our Woodford facility is underway, bringing modern, digital-first storage solutions to the area.
In the meantime, we are here to help from our North London site, offering secure business storage for stock and flexible personal units with 24/7 access.
Book online today or visit us in North London until we open near you.
Frequently asked questions
Does Old Spitalfields Market open daily?
Yes. Check the visitor information for daily hours and any special date changes.
Is HOLD climate-controlled?
HOLD provides temperature-regulated storage, not climate-controlled units.
Can HOLD accept deliveries for traders' market stock?
Yes. Confirm availability with the store. Proof of ID may be required under standard terms.
Is New Spitalfields in Leyton open to the public?
Yes, for wholesale quantities of fruit and vegetables during trading hours. Vehicle exit fees apply, and pedestrian access is free.
Who moved the wholesale market and when?
The City of London Corporation oversaw the relocation to Leyton in 1991 to improve access and space.
