Kingston Council has this week approved plans for Kingston's annual Christmas Market to operate in November and December every year until 2029.

Aplanning application, submitted by Keston Events, who is the current organiser of the festive market, seeks permission for the "Continued operation of a seasonal Christmas Market within Kingston Town Centre, between 10am and 10pm Monday to Sunday".

It also aked for "Temporary permission to allow the Christmas Market to operate during November and December each year, for the next five years, allowing events to take place in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029".

The full application outline says: "Continued operation of the seasonal 'Kingston Christmas Market' within the Ancient Market Place. Temporary permission to allow the Christmas Market comprising of 20 wooden market stalls, 1 no central pyramid bar, along with associated furniture, stage and temporary toilet block. Installation of a 7m Christmas Tree."

Entertainment will include live music, Christmas choirs, local bands and an open-mic night. Food options will include continental bratwurst to hog roasts and street food from across the globe.

Keston Events plans to run this year's market from 13 November – 28 December and estimates that the whole project will cost up to £2m.

However, a different organiser, Seventa Events, to the council to create a new Christmas Market, Apres Kingston, earlier this year.

CGI of Après Kingston. (Credit: Seventa Events, provided in Kingston Council documents)

Seventa's proposals included "a modern alternative to traditional Christmas markets, designed to appeal to all ages" on the lawns of All Saints Church. 

While the Council has approved the plans, it has set out some rules for Keston to follow, including:

"The marquees, stalls and associated paraphernalia to which this permission relates shall only be erected between 01st November and 31st December of any given year (between 2025- 2029). Outside of these dates, the marquees and any associated equipment shall be removed from the site and the land shall be reinstated to its former condition.

"Reason: To ensure that the setting of the nearby listed building and the character and appearance of this part of the Conservation Area are not unduly and permanently compromised in accordance with Policies DM10 (Design Requirements for New Developments including House Extensions) and DM12 (Development in Conservation Areas and Affecting Heritage Assets) of the LDF Core Strategy Adopted April 2012, Policies D3 and HC1 of the London Plan 2021, and in order that the Local Planning Authority may review the position at the end of that period.

"The use to which this permission relates shall not operate outside of the following hours: 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday and bank holidays.

"Reason: To ensure satisfactory living conditions for neighbouring occupiers, in accordance with policy D3 of the London Plan 2021 and policy DM10 of the LDF Core Strategy 2012."

You can view Keston's full application here.