Raise The Shutters: Renovating Units 6-7 at Leadenhall Market

Working in one of London’s most famous historic landmarks is both a privilege and a challenge. Our recent project at Units 6–7, Grade II* Listed Leadenhall Market demanded a critical understanding of heritage legislation, a careful approach to negotiation, and the design sensitivity to celebrate a building with such architectural and historic significance.

This is the story of how we balanced a client’s vision for a contemporary restaurant with the responsibility of protecting the last surviving original wooden shutters in the market — and how early, collaborative engagement proved to be the decisive factor in success.

A Market with Centuries of Stories

Leadenhall Market sits at the heart of the City of London on a site that has been a centre of commerce for over 700 years. First recorded in 1321 as a meat, poultry, and game market, it was originally part of a medieval manor. In the late 19th century, the City Architect Sir Horace Jones was tasked with modernising the market. His design, completed in 1881, replaced earlier stone structures with an elegant composition of wrought iron and glass, creating here one of London’s finest examples of Victorian market architecture.

Leadenhall was granted Grade II* listed status in 1972, recognising its particularly important heritage value. The market’s high red-brick and Portland stone façades, giant Corinthian cast-iron columns, and timber-and-glass roofs form a uniquely atmospheric environment — one that is both a commercial space and a living museum.

Units 6–7: A Rare Survivor

Of all the shopfronts in the market, Units 6–7 are unique. They retain the original 1881 wooden roller shutters, while most others were replaced during the 1990s renovation with historicist glazed shopfronts. This rare survival makes them an asset of exceptional heritage significance.

When our client approached us, their goal was to create an open, contemporary shopfront suitable for a restaurant. Our challenge was to deliver this in a historically rich context. The existing fitout was inefficient (see below sketch) and our aim was to improve circulation and the visitor experience.

From Contemporary Vision to Heritage Reality

It was immediately clear to us that a fully contemporary frontage would not gain approval. In heritage terms, Leadenhall’s shopfronts have a high group value: they work together to preserve the market’s historic character, and consistency is desired.

In 2018, consent had been granted for removing the roller shutters and replacing them with a historicist shopfront matching the 1990s scheme. While that design addressed certain operational concerns for the occupiers at the time, it posed significant problems for our client:

• The door placement would disrupt circulation within the restaurant.

• Constructing a historicist shopfront would be very expensive.

• Departing from the approved 2018 design would require a new listed building consent and planning application, likely delaying the project by months — an unacceptable risk for a tight programme.

  
  

Policy Context

Where proposals are likely to affect the significance of heritage assets, applicants are encouraged to:

• Consider the significance early in the design process.

• Take expert advice before committing to a scheme.

• Engage with the local planning authority and heritage advisers to identify and address issues in advance.

Understanding significance before designing change is fundamental. It allows all parties to explore how adaptable a heritage asset might be, which in turn can improve viability and prospects for its long-term conservation.

For Leadenhall Market, retaining and refurbishing the shutters could not only protect heritage, but also meet our client’s operational needs — and, crucially, avoid delays and extra cost. We developed a contemporary stainless steel shopfront that was symmetrical with the existing elevation. This sat behind the retain shutter posts (centred on bay) in a 1:3 ratio to create a layering of different proportions (see our sketch of the proposed elevation below). The diner would enter one side of the unit, continue through the middle and then leave the other side. This was an instance where heritage conservation and commercial goals were not in conflict but aligned.

Understanding Significance as a Conservation Tool

Heritage conservation is about more than preserving old fabric. It’s the process of managing change in ways that sustain a place’s heritage values while revealing or reinforcing them for future generations.

To identify those values, one must understand:

• History: the building’s origins and its role over time.

• Fabric: the physical materials and their condition.

• Character: the qualities that give the place distinctiveness.

• Adaptability: how the asset can change without losing significance.

In the case of Units 6–7, the shutters are not just material that has survived. They are part of the market’s collective identity, reflecting its 19th-century use and the craftsmanship of its construction. By understanding both their historic and operational significance, we could design a solution that enhanced rather than compromised value.

The Conservation Challenge

Although the shutters were materially sound, they required localised repairs as they were not functioning. Because the market’s narrow arcade offers limited working space — and because the repair process required specialist machinery — the shutters had to be removed to a workshop.

In most listed buildings, removing historic elements, even temporarily, can triggers lengthy consent processes. The challenge was to demonstrate that:

• The works were like-for-like repairs.

• The shutters would be reinstated exactly as found.

• No harm would be caused to the building’s special architectural or historic interest.

We prepared a specification for the conservation of historic timber joinery with best practice guidance from Historic England, British Woodworking Federation, and applicable British Standards. The conservation officer recognised our solid and detailed conservation principals and confirmed the repairs are permitted.

The Power of Early Buy-In

We were fortunate the City of London was both the landlord and the local authority. This meant they could involve the conservation officer in-house directly without the need for a formal pre-application process, which could take months. We arranged early informal on-site meetings with the heritage officer to prevent costly redesigns and delays.

These face-to-face discussions allowed us to:

• Present the repair method in context.

• Answer questions immediately.

• Understand the values of the conservation officer.

• Build trust and consensus early in the process.

The conservation officer confirmed that the works constituted repair rather than alteration, therefore did not require formal listed building consent. This decision was pivotal: it meant the works could proceed without new applications, keeping the programme on track. By working closely with all stakeholders — client, landlord, heritage officer, and contractors — we ensured a smooth approval process.

The Final Design

Our solution delivered two major wins:

1. For the client: an open, inviting shopfront that met the restaurant’s operational requirements without the cost and complexity of a new historicist façade. A contemporary stainless steel kitchen sits behind the shutters when they are open in the day.

   For heritage: the retention and refurbishment of the last surviving original wooden shutters in Leadenhall Market.

Inside, we integrated the restaurant layout around significant historic features such as the spiral staircase and original joinery.

Lessons from Leadenhall

This project reinforced several lessons we apply to all heritage work:

1. Get buy-in early — Secure the commitment of all key stakeholders at the outset to avoid costly redesigns and programme delays. If not through informal talks, through pre-application advice.

2. Follow policy principles — NPPF and PPG guidance is not just procedural; it’s a roadmap to better heritage outcomes.

3. Understand significance — Both the nature and extent of significance must inform design decisions.

4. Engage informally where possible — A site meeting can resolve concerns far more quickly than written exchanges.

5. Balance heritage and function — The best solutions serve both the building and its current use.

   
   

A Lasting Result

At a quick glance, the refurbished shutters at Units 6–7 are simply minor detail. For us, they represent the successful alignment of client requirement and heritage policy. By retaining and repairing the shutters, we not only preserved a unique piece of Leadenhall’s Victorian fabric but also delivered a solution that was operationally and financially sound. The process demonstrated the value of early engagement and collaborative problem-solving — principles that sit at the heart of good conservation practice.

At Unagru, we see heritage projects not as compromises, but as conversations between past and present — conversations that, when handled with care, can keep our shared history alive with contemporary design in

Jamie Kelly