Smithfield, Birmingham facts for kids
Smithfield was a busy area in the heart of Birmingham, England. It was located just southeast of the famous Bull Ring markets.
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Smithfield Market: A Hub of Activity
The land where Smithfield once stood was originally home to the Birmingham Manor House. This was a very old house where the De Birmingham family lived for hundreds of years. Over time, the house became quite run down.
In 1816, a group called the Birmingham Street Commissioners bought the old manor house. They tore it down and filled in its moat, which was like a ditch around the house. They even removed twelve feet of mud from the moat! Because there weren't many other buildings in the way, this large, open space was perfect for a new market.
The Smithfield Market officially opened on May 29, 1817. It cost about £3,223 to build and set up. This new market helped clear farm animals from the city streets and created more space for shops. Smithfield quickly became a major trading spot. It even had its own market for cattle and horses. Sometimes, they also sold hay and straw there.
Later that same year, a new law made the sheep and pig market move from New Street to Smithfield. In 1883, the market grew even bigger when a wholesale vegetable market opened. The pig market moved again in 1897, and the cattle market followed in 1898. By 1900, the vegetable market took over most of Smithfield. However, a weekly market for second-hand goods, known as the Rag Fair, also took place there until 1957. Over time, Smithfield Market became less popular as people started buying more pre-cut meat instead of live animals.
The market finally closed in the 1960s. Birmingham City Council bought the land to build a new road system and new wholesale markets. The entire site was cleared in 1975. During this work, large sandstone blocks were found, which might have been part of the moat's inner wall. Other old stonework was also discovered, but there wasn't enough time or money for a full archaeological dig. All the recovered stones were moved to Weoley Castle, but they haven't been studied since.
Smithfield Market was also a popular place for public gatherings. One special event was in February 2022, when 5,000 children from the Birmingham Street Robins group met there for a winter treat. They then marched to the Drill Hall, where they enjoyed tea, cakes, and received Christmas gifts like fruit, clothes, books, and toys. These gifts were given by many kind charities and people.
Getting Around Smithfield
Smithfield was also a main stop for the city's trams. As the area became more crowded, it was decided to move the tram stop. Work to move it to Station Street began in June 1885.
Smithfield Today
Today, the old Smithfield area has completely changed. The Smithfield Markets expanded and became part of the Bull Ring Indoor Market, which was rebuilt before the modern Bullring Shopping Centre opened. Outdoor markets are still held near the entrance. The old Bull Ring Rag Market was knocked down to make way for a multi-storey car park. The markets now use the Bull Ring name, and the Smithfield name is no longer used for them. The exact spot where the original Smithfield market stood is now the Moat Lane car park. Smithfield Street, which once connected Bradford Street to Digbeth High Street, was renamed Mill Lane.
There are only a few things left that remind us of Smithfield. Smithfield House is an office building with shops on the ground floor. It's located across from where the old market used to be. Inside the new multi-storey car park on Pershore Street, there's a walkway called Smithfield Passage.
The name Moat Lane is a clue to the past, reminding everyone about the moat that once surrounded the old manor house on this very site.
Smithfield and the 2022 Commonwealth Games
For the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Smithfield was chosen as a special venue. It hosted exciting competitions like 3X3 Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, and Beach Volleyball. Two custom-built arenas were set up on the land for these events.
