Traders from the Eden Crafts fair in Kingston have launched a petition to save their market from closure after 19 years of trading, following a decision by All Saints Church not to give approval for the use of its grounds again in 2025.
The announcement of the closure has brought over 6,000 signatures on paper and over 1,200 signatures online to the petition, from disappointed customers.
One of the signatories of the petition is Harry Bayley, who visits Eden Crafts every year. He said: “I feel like Christmas begins when the fair goes up, it would be a massive shame to see it go.”
The fair is set up temporarily every winter in the grounds of All Saints Church and has long been a presence in Kingston’s festive celebrations, hosting local traders selling a variety of crafts including homeware, food and clothing.
With it’s location opposite John Lewis and the Bentall Centre, the fair is situated right at the heart of Kingston’s bustling town centre which has had much redevelopment in recent years.
In response to the launching of the petition, All Saints Church said: “We have formed a great working relationship with the managers and many of the stall holders in that time, and the decision to change what we do was not taken lightly.
“We’re confident the Christmas 2025 offer at All Saints and across the town centre will be exciting, festive and unique with something for everyone.”
The text of the petition highlights the role that the fair has in Kingston’s Christmas traditions and how it has embedded itself into the town’s culture.
Also outlined within the petition is the negative impact that closure will have on traders, who earn a significant amount of their income during the festive period and the increased footfall that comes at this time in Kingston.
Hanna Newton, the trader who set up the online petition, posted an update on 3 December after the petition reached 1,000 signatures online. In it she stated: “As a trader body we’re emotionally invested in the community as a whole and we understand the positive impact our environment is creating simply by providing consistency and love.
“If people don’t stand up and speak clearly about things that are important, they are often overlooked and disappear with no warning.”
All Saints Church has not yet made a public response to the traction that the petition has gained.
Balsam Maki
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave