Council sets out ambition to revitalise Kingston’s Ancient Market Place

Kingston Council has announced proposals to revitalise the town’s Ancient Market Place to create a 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 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.

The Council’s Corporate and Resources Committee (19 March) will be asked to approve an Ancient Market Place strategy that will bring together Kingston’s historic street market, the Grade II listed Ancient Market House and the surrounding public realm under one management arrangement. If approved, the council will begin to engage with interested parties in the months after the committee.

Kingston Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure

Alison Holt said: “The council is committed to ensuring Kingston’s Ancient Market Place continues to be successful and sustainable for years to come and for everyone to enjoy.

“It is much loved and hugely popular, and conversations with a range of people and communities who use the Market Place have highlighted there is appetite for making even more of this treasured space.

“Bringing together the street market, Market House and surrounding public realm under one strategy to be delivered by one operator will bring huge benefits for residents, local businesses and visitors.”

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