Old Spitalfields Market bans sale of fur from January

One of the capital’s most historic markets has banned the sale of fur from January next year.

Old Spitalfields Market, in east London, has asked traders not to sell fur products from the start of 2018.

A statement, posted on the market's Facebook page, read: “Following a review carried out by the Market, we have taken the decision to request stall holders do not offer animal fur for sale from the beginning of next year.”

It added that the “exact details and wording” of the ban were still under review.

The announcement has been hailed a victory for animal rights campaigners who called for fur to be banned at London Fashion Week in September.

Director of Corporate Projects at animal rights group PETA Yvonne Taylor said: “The British public is saying no to fur – and Old Spitalfields Market has listened.

“Today's consumers want cruelty-free fashion – and PETA urges those markets still peddling real fur of any era to follow in Old Spitalfields Market's footsteps so that they, too, can become shopping destinations fit for Britain in 2018.”

The ban comes following an announcement by Gucci to go fur-free in Spring next year.

Yoox Net-a-Porter, the internet fashion giant behind Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter, the Outnet and Yoox.com, announced it was going fur-free in June.

Last month, animal rights campaigners took to Regent Street in protest over the opening of US clothing store Canada Goose.

Crowds marched on the UK’s flagship store in protest of the sale of coats made from coyote fur, which animal rights group PETA claim are caught in the wild in steel traps.

PETA alleges the coyotes are then shot or bludgeoned to death. The group also claims the geese, whose feathers are used in the company’s jackets, are mistreated.

A spokeswoman for Canada Goose told the Standard: "PETA and other animal activists are grossly misinformed about our animal welfare practices.

"Canada Goose remains deeply committed to the responsible use and ethical sourcing of all animal materials in our products.”

The Standard have contacted Old Spitalfields Market for further comment.