ANCIENT MARKET PLACE
We are looking to revitalise the town’s Ancient Market Place to create a year-round cultural and commercial destination that celebrates the area’s unique heritage and character.
The Ancient Market Place is the historic heart of Kingston town centre, and is highly valued by our local communities. It hosts one of London’s oldest street markets, with the first recorded in 1242. The importance of the Market Place has been highlighted by local communities in engagement to support the development of the Kingston Town Centre Vision, adopted in 2023.
New Market Operator announced
Kingston Council is delighted to announce that it has appointed Between The Bridges as the new operator for Kingston Ancient Market from 1 April 2025.
Between The Bridges is a leading UK market operator, with experience managing street markets and exciting events across the capital, including the Southbank ‘Between The Bridges’ market, Clapham’s Venn Street Market and Winterville. The team brings a unique blend of creative and hospitality expertise alongside extensive market and site management.
Between The Bridges’ appointment marks a new operating model for Kingston Ancient Market as they will manage all activity at Kingston Ancient Market, including the street trading market and Ancient Market House. This change looks to reinvigorate the space, support traders and local enterprise, boost our community and cultural offering, and drive increased footfall.
The vision for Kingston Ancient Market involves close collaboration with local communities to ensure the market reflects the rich culture of Kingston. With a seasoned team of professionals, Between The Bridges will look to transform the market into a vibrant, distinctive venue that fosters a strong sense of community.
Following extensive local engagement on aspirations for Kingston’s Ancient Market, the Council’s Corporate & Resources Committee approved the market operator recommendation on 21 November 2024, following a review of the bids received. For more information see the Ancient Market Place Corporate & Resources Committee Paper.
A revitalised Ancient Market Place will create an enhanced and distinctive visitor destination, making the most of the area’s unique heritage and character. A programme of cultural, creative and community activities taking place throughout the year will bring communities together and help increase visitors and trade. As well as trading throughout the day, an enhanced market could also see some twilight and evening opening, boosting both market and town centre trade and creating a welcoming evening environment.
Finding an exciting, longer term use for the Market House that compliments and enhances the rest of the Ancient Market Place is also a key part of the strategy. Apart from a variety of short term and pop up uses, the building has been vacant for the past few years. A new provider could realise the potential of this historic community asset.
The new strategy will also create opportunities for local start ups, support new, local business development and possibilities for training and apprenticeships. It will better address the challenges of climate change through improved energy use, waste reduction, re-use and recycling.