29 September 2008
City Lord Mayor pays Tower Hamlets its yearly 'rent ' of one
salmon for Billingsgate
The Lord Mayor of the City of London David Lewis (left) visited
Billingsgate Market in E14 on Thursday (25 September) – to visit
the fish market run by the City Corporation he heads - and to pay
the traditional rent of one salmon to Tower Hamlets Mayor
Councillor Mohammed Abdus Salique (right).
Lord Mayor David Lewis is a leading City lawyer whose main job
during his Lord Mayor year is to work at home and abroad for the
UK-based financial services sector, including firms in Canary
Wharf, which is alongside Billingsgate.
Lord Mayor Lewis said: "The fish rent is a charming ritual but
the reality is that Billingsgate is a modern market right at the
heart of London’s good food network. It offers the best fish at
very good prices from around Britain and the world."
Lady Mayoress Theresa Lewis, also up early for the 7am visit,
said her favourite fish dish was learned when the Lord Mayor was
working in Hong Kong: it’s sautéed Garoupa fish served with fresh
chives and zest of lime.
Lord Mayor Lewis added: "Fish is a really healthy way to enjoy
good food and Billingsgate is wonderful because it’s open not just
to traders, but also to the general public – with Saturday a
favourite day for people planning parties and barbecues."
Billingsgate is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5am-8.30am.
The City of London Corporation, which the Lord Mayor heads, is
the elected body that looks after the Square Mile business
district, works for the UK-based financial services sector in
general and provides and maintains a number of key services for
London and the wider UK, including Billingsgate and other main food
markets, the international Barbican Arts Centre, the City bridges,
the Port of London Health Authority, the Heathrow Animal Reception
Centre – and Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath.
More details from Press Contact: Greg Williams, 020 7332 1455,
07889 167 205