Battersea's New Covent Garden Market has unveiled its new food hub.

The fruit market, in Nine Elms Lane, is said to be the United Kingdom’s largest fruit and vegetable market.

But now the first phase of the £130 million development has been unveiled in aims to become London's 'dominant food hub'.

The Food Exchange is a workspace, kitchen space and food culture venue which will comprise of the first stage of the Food Quarter, which is a food industry campus and destination.

There is 40,000 sq ft of lettable space which aims to bring together food entrepreneurs under one roof where they can showcase their new creations and innovations.

Mission Kitchen, a shared workspace for startups in London, is set to open in autumn next year and will include shared kitchens, private studios, and space for more than 130 businesses working in food.

There will also be a cookery school, a food museum, and test kitchen with outside space that can host a range of things such as beehives and polytunnels for growing.

Private studios will be available to rent from February 1 next year, allowing for several types and sizes of businesses to become involved – such as food magazines, photographers, producers, PR agencies, manufacturers, startups and more.

Daniel Tomkinson, chief executive of the Covent Garden Market Authority, said: “London is already widely recognised as one of the creative and cultural capitals of the world attracting established and emerging talent from around the globe.

“The Food Exchange will foster exciting food entrepreneurs and nurture the innovation of new start-ups on the journey to becoming the next big force in London’s food scene.

“New Covent Garden Market has long been the home of pioneering enterprise and food expertise, making The Food Exchange a very natural next step in the market’s illustrious food story.”

Cllr Ravi Govindia, Wandsworth Council leader, said: “New Covent Garden is an enduring icon of Nine Elms and it’s great to see it getting even bigger and better.

“People are becoming increasingly interested in the provenance of their food and how it is prepared, and this is an opportunity for the people of Wandsworth and London to get closer to the food they eat.”

A five-year plan is in place for the New Covent Garden site to be transformed into a brand new facility, with the Food Quarter expected to be completed in 2024.

The Food Exchange comes after the unveiling of the flower market moved into Nine Elms.

For more information, visit: www.foodexchange.london