London has been a major centre for commerce for thousands of years. While online shopping has become a huge industry, particularly in the UK, a lot of people still like to shop in person. As a result, local markets, high streets, and shopping centres still have an important place. In fact, they can be key assets for the community. With that in mind, it’s great news that one of London’s oldest markets could have a much brighter future. Let’s have a look, then you can speak to us if you want services like guaranteed rent and block management in Kingston upon Thames.
Plans
Last year we got the first news about proposals to upgrade Kingston Ancient Market. Current operator Between the Bridges is aiming to give it a major upgrade to ensure it can continue serving the community for the foreseeable future. At the end of March they submitted the plans to Kingston Council for consideration.
Interestingly, the market dates back to the 12th century. As a result, it is a little younger than the iconic Borough Market. It’s been a key part of the community for centuries. Even today, there are dozens of stallholders selling a variety of products every day.
What are they proposing?
Between the Bridges wants to revive the market. Their plans are impressive, including replacing existing stalls and adapting the layout. Speak to us about block management in Kingston upon Thames.
Crucially, they want to expand the market, creating space for up to 45 stalls. They will all be around a new central plaza, created by moving the Shrubsole Memorial statue. The space would also be better for hosting the busy calendar of events, including vintage markets, food festivals, a Christmas market, and pop-up events.
The plans also include changes to the Grade II* Market House. The building is one of the most historic landmarks in the area. It dates back to 1840 and has a lovely Italianate design. It was previously Kingston town hall, but has had sporadic use in recent decades. The plans would revitalise it, creating a new restaurant, cafe, bar, and event space.
Commenting on the plans, Between the Bridges said they want to make sure the market is the “beating heart” of the historic area. They want to celebrate the rich heritage while creating a vibrant, flexible, inclusive space. The latter builds on earlier work to improve accessibility. All of this will ensure the market can continue to serve the needs of the community.
Arranging block management in Kingston upon Thames
A fantastic local community can be a huge selling point for an area. It can create hotspots, like we’ve seen with places like Shoreditch and Hackney. This can drive interest, increase property prices, and push up demand for rental properties.
If you’re thinking about investing, you can rely on Finefair Ltd. We know how to give clients high quality services that deliver great value. This can include guaranteed rent as well as managing different types of properties. We even have experience with HMOs, hotels, and other potentially tricky assets.
So, get in touch today if you want to work with us. We’re the most flexible experts, able to arrange block management in Kingston upon Thames for any number of properties. If you have assets in other parts of London, we can handle them too.
