Having set up shop in 1170, Kingston Ancient Market does what it says on the tin, really. It’s a market, in Kingston, and it’s pretty darn ancient. It’s been paying its dues for over 850 years but the historic street market could soon be getting some well-deserved TLC, as plans have recently been submitted to Kingston Council to give the market a rather major modern makeover.
Plans to revamp the neighbouring square were submitted a few months ago (as part of a wider initiative to give the area a new lease of life) but now the market itself could be getting in on the action. The recently submitted proposal comes courtesy of operators, Between the Bridges, who took over the management of the market last year. Alongside Zap Architecture, they’ve created a plan to transform the ancient market square.
Proposed ideas include creating a vibrant central piazza, complete with 45 new stalls. The stalls would be built using sustainable materials, with solar panels on the top and storage tanks that would turn rainwater into drinking water. The piazza would supposedly be designed to accommodate pop-ups, farmers markets, weekend events, and even concerts.
If all goes to plan, the Grade II* listed Market House would also undergo a bit of a glow-up. Between the Bridges wants to turn the ground floor of the building into a restaurant, the 1st floor into an events space, and the top of the building into a rooftop terrace looking over the square.
The plans are still very much only in the pipeline, and are awaiting a decision. In the meantime, Kingston Ancient Market is currently home to 28 permanent stalls and traders and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The planning documents state: “This proposal reimagines the market square as a vibrant, flexible, and inclusive public realm – one that celebrates its historic character while equipping it for the needs of a 21st-century community.
“The project builds upon Kingston’s legacy as a trading hub, creating a dynamic marketplace where food, culture, and civic activity thrive side by side.”