Kingston council has announced plans to modernise its ancient market at the heart of the town centre. Kingston Ancient Market has been at the heart of Kingston Borough since the 12th century. To this day it is visited by locals and many, who come from surrounding areas to buy fresh produce, baked goods and flowers.
The council, who have passed the project over to Between the Bridges Ltd, are hoping to “transform the market into a vibrant, distinctive venue that fosters a strong sense of community”, as well as being “committed to help local businesses thrive”.
However, some stall owners at the market, which has been a mainstay in Kingston since the 12th century, have expressed concerns that the new plans may have left them out of pocket.
“There are 12 of us [whole food stalls], we will all be out of a job for a minimum of three months and we are not even guaranteed a stall after restorations are finished,” one stall owner, who requested to stay anonymous, told The River. He has been at the market for 13 years and fears for his and his family’s future as this is his only source of income.
“They [Between the Bridges] want to keep seven or eight food stalls and add three bars. People were coming here for food, not alcohol.”
Other stall owners have not heard of these plans or are hoping for a meeting with the council to clear the air and find out what their future looks like. Some refused to comment on the situation.
In its current form, Kingston Ancient Market sells flowers, fresh produce and a variety of street food, as well as sweet treats and other local goods.
According to the proposal set out by the council, the vision for Kingston Ancient Market “involves close collaboration with local communities to ensure the market reflects the rich culture of Kingston.” This includes repurposing the Market House, creating a larger seating space, moving the Shrubsole monument, and building permanent stalls instead of having tents in the square, creating a similar façade to that of the buildings surrounding the market: “The architecture echoes historic principles with modern materials and detailing, creating continuity without pastiche. This approach delivers a scheme that is both contextually sensitive and forward-looking, reinforcing the market’s role as a living civic space where heritage informs the future.”
Kingston Council spoke openly about their new plans for Kingston Ancient Market and were happy to share a detailed proposal document, including blueprints of the upgraded market, with The River. They encourage locals to visit them and take a look at the plans for themselves. However, they refused to give further comment when requested.