The old fish market was shabby, but it did the job

Say what you will about the old and soon to be demolished Sydney Fish Market, it did what it said on the tin.

Crowds pictured at the Sydney Fish Markets, in Glebe. on Good Friday., Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Say what you will about the old and soon to be demolished Sydney Fish Market, it did what it said on the tin.

Yes, it was (and is) a bit shabby, there was never enough parking, and it is an absolute zoo at Christmas.

But for all its puddles and magnificent ancient pelicans, who long ago worked out that cadging scraps was a great retirement plan, it not only worked but also represented one of the last outposts of the old, working Sydney.

Even if it was sometimes swarmed with tourists desperate to pose in front of a pile of prawns, its primary function was to serve local customers and local vendors.

The old Sydney Fish Market, in all its glory.

No wonder it was headed for the chop.

It is easy to see why planners and politicians loved the idea of moving the market down the road into a new facility that could wind up costing $1 billion.

The idea of having not just a fish market but a “world class” fish market to “attract global attention” (according to the official website) is perfectly pitched to appeal to Sydney’s ribbon-cutting classes.

A global city – whatever that is – requires a global fish market, or so goes the logic.

Even better if it is one with a wavy scaled rooftop that costs a fortune and is supposed to (again, as per the website) “pay homage to the fishing industry”.

Throw in a new site for luxury apartments and suddenly the idea of a billion dollar food and fish hall seems like a no-brainer.

The new Sydney Fish Market, in Pyrmont, which is due to open this year. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Yet if and when the new market opens, this glorious new attraction is sure to be little more than a Westfield for fish.

As a local who often drives by the build site (and still goes regularly to the old one, not to take pictures but to buy actual fish), from the road the new market looks less like a glorious temple of seafood and more like a soon to be opened air terminal.

In other words, it is a great big glass box with as much character as the convention centre.

Meanwhile, its website claims the market will attract six million people a year, which is telling in and of itself.

Whether or not it sees that sort of traffic remains to be seen but the mere estimate sends the message: Sorry, Sydneysiders, about your old functional market, the tourist dollar is more important than yours.

Originally published as The old fish market was shabby, but it did the job