ABSTRACT
Prince Albert, the City and MPs had much to celebrate at the opening of the Metropolitan Cattle Market in Islington that summer day in 1855. The new market, designed by Bunning had room for almost 11,000 cattle, nearly 36,000 sheep and 1,500 calves compared to about 4,000 cattle, 25,000 sheep and 500 calves in Smithfield. 1 The plans indicated separate areas for cattle and sheep, two slaughterhouses, 13,232 feet of rail, 1,749 pens (all lettered and numbered), an elaborate drainage system, bankers’ offices, two hotels, public houses and taverns. Roads approached nine entrances to the market and a railroad depot brought animals and traders to the rectangular space.
