livestock market went into decline after the Second World War. The last sale of horses took place on 13 May 1948. The sale of cattle in the market ended on 21 May 1958, giving way to food, clothing and household goods. The 1965 Romford central area redevelopment plan led to the demolition of buildings to the south of the market. The market and adjacent streets were designated a conservation area on 1 April 1968. The market was located on the high street, the main east-west road through the town. In 1969 through road traffic was removed from the market as part of the development of the Romford ring road. In 1973 there were around 325 regular traders. The Lamb and the Golden Lion public houses became listed buildings in 1979. Recent history In 1989 Havering Council objected to the creation of a market in Ilford, using the rights of 1247. The marketplace is promoted as a location for filming. In 2005 it was used to film parts of the music video for Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix) by The Prodigy. It was noted by the council that the number of traders was in long term decline with 339 traders in 1985, 266 traders in 1995 and 170 traders in 2005. By 2015 the number of regular traders had declined to 90. In 2010 the layout of the market was altered to provide wider aisles, better access from the Liberty Shopping Centre and improved electricity supply to the stalls. The market was closed from 24 March to 3 June 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. As of July 2020 the market had 60 regular traders. The Romford business improvement district (BID) was created in 2019, covering the town centre and market. Since 2021, two pitches in the market are sponsored by the BID at weekends between April to October to introduce new small businesses to the market. Regular opening on Sunday began in July 2020. In 2023 Havering Council attempted to use the market rights to block the opening of the consolidated Dagenham Dock wholesale market to the general public. Operation The market is owned and operated by Havering Council. It is open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Wednesday market is operated using the 1247 rights. On other days provisions of the Food Act 1984 are used as the legal basis. Transport The market is a