b'Smithfield MarketProud of our historySmithfield Market in London is one of the most famous meat markets in the world and James Burden Ltd is proud to be one of the most significant companies operating from this top quality location, which acts as the hub for our local, national and international business.1100sSmithfield was described by a clerk of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, as a smooth field where every Friday there is a celebrated rendezvous of fine horses to be sold, and in another quarter are placed vendibles of the peasant, swine with their deep flanks, and cows and oxen of immense bulk.1327Smithfield was granted market rights by Edward III.1726Writer Daniel Defoe boasted that Smithfield was without question, the greatest in the world.Early 1800sDealing with 220,000 cattle and 1.5 million sheep annually, Smithfield faced closure because of complaints about hygiene and animal welfare. Charles Dickens was one of the notable complainants.1850s and 60sJames Burden Limited Smithfield was closed for a decade and the market moved to Islington. Modernisation, including an iron roof and four huge statues representing Liverpool, Dublin, Edinburgh and London, was carried out. Today, Smithfields Sir Horace Walpole-designed James Burden Limited is a market leader in the wholesale andarchitecture is Grade II listed.distribution of quality poultry, meat and game, along withLate 1800sassociated cold meats, provisions and delicatessen products. A poultry market was added in 1876, a fruit and veg market in 1883 and a fish market in 1889. A cold storage unitone of the first outside London Dockswas built in 1899, allowing Smithfield to import The company has been tradingKnown for our reliability andmeat from around the globe.from Londons famous Smithfieldthe quality of both our product20th CenturyMarket for more than 45 yearsand service, our team of highly- Smithfield was damaged during World War II and the original poultry market burned down in 1958. and has developed from humbletrained traders work closely withIn 1963, a new concrete dome was erected over the beginnings into a world-classcustomers and suppliers, bothmarketthe biggest of its type in Europe.wholesale supplier. Throughouthere in the UK and internationally,1974that time we have focused on ourto ensure continuity andJames Burden Limited started trading at Smithfield.founding principles of honesty,consistency of delivery regardless1990sintegrity and reliability. of market fluctuations.EC regulations led to major improvements including the creation of an automated overhead meat rail Today the company has sixWithin our extensive wholesalesystem, new stalls and chiller rooms and sealed trading outlets selling to everyoneproduct range, James Burdenloading bays.from casual shoppers buyingoffers the full range of top qualitySmithfield todayacross the counter to some of themeats, including those withStanding on a 10 acre site, trading between 1am and 8am and setting the trade prices for meat largest catering butchers.specific preparation requirementsacross the UK, Smithfield Market is the only great As well as our presence atsuch as Halal and Kosher. AllLondon market still at the heart of the capital.Londons Smithfield, Jamesproducts are guaranteed 100%James Burden Limited todaytraceable from farm to fork inJames Burden currently trades from 6 outlets Burden Limited operates bulkwithin Smithfield Market from where it satisfies meat and poultry businesses fromcompliance with HACCP, FSA anda diverse range of customers needs; direct CMI legislation.customers, Butchers, Hotels, Restaurants, and Newcastle and Kent, supplyingother wholesalers. A further two wholesale offices direct to food processors andJames Burden; a name you canindependent of Smithfield trade in large volumes of Red Meat and Poultry. Together, as part of The larger catering customers. trust to deliver. Burden Group, the business has grown dramatically and has an annual turnover in excess of 150M.4'