Supporting local economies
- Markets
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Here in Kensington and Chelsea, we are proud to host and manage successful local markets and cater to isolated street traders who all offer vibrancy and culture in our communities.
In 2022, following a process of engagement with the community including traders, residents and visitors, we launched a Markets Plan (2022-2027) which outlines our key priorities and deliverables to continue supporting business and trade in the borough and enhance our existing offers.
Document
Document
Our markets
Portobello market and Golborne Road
The Visit Portobello website offers everything you need to know about our world-famous market which continues to sell antiques as it has done for almost 80 years as well as new goods and food. Read about the market’s 160-year history, search what events are coming up and more to explore on our favourite hidden gem for vintage and food – Golborne Road.
World’s End Community market
A new weekly market that caters for the local community on Word’s End Estate and beyond. We host a market outside the Chelsea Theatre, every Friday from 12pm with a rotation of different stalls every week offering something different, as well as our staple fruit and veg offer.
We have partnered with local charities who will be on the market offering face to face advice on a range of services available to support healthy affordable living.
Healthy Start
Our partners at the NHS are enabling the use of healthy start vouchers to spend on the market. If you receive a qualifying benefit, are pregnant or have parental responsibility for at least one child under 4 years old, you can apply now for a Healthy Start card.
Other independent markets
The Council is not responsible for all markets in the borough.
These include:
- Notting Hill Gate Farmers' Market
- Bute Street (South Kensington) Farmers' Market
- Portobello Fashion Market below the A40 Westway flyover
- Acklam Village Market (Portobello Fine Foods)
- Partridges Food Market
- High Street Kensington Farmers' Market
Apply to be a trader
Before you apply to work on our markets, we advise that you visit our markets in person to fact find and research the area.
You will need to send us:
- a full description of the goods you want to sell
- images of your goods (as an attachment) - we do not need an image for every item
- your web address if you have one
- full contact information
Portobello and Golborne
Casual Traders
We are currently not open to applications for street food sites and have limited availability for other products. Casual applications are currently on hold for Fridays and Saturdays.
If your application is to trade Monday – Thursday, please state clearly.
All applications will receive a response within two weeks. To apply, email [email protected]
We are not registering stalls of the following products for Portobello or Golborne, but you can consider our other site on World’s End.
- jewellery including charms, crystals, precious and semi-precious gemstones, and adornments
- ladies clothing
- hats
- bags and handbags of any kind
- sunglasses
- souvenirs
- candles
- soaps
Permanent Traders
In order to apply to be a Permanent Trader, you need to first become a registered Casual Trader and trade on Portobello and Golborne Market. Please be aware that there is a long waiting list for currently registered Casual Traders who wish to become a Permanent Trader.
World’s End Market
We are open to applications from various new and established traders for our weekly World’s End market. With more than 8,500 residents living on the estate and being situated right in front of the Chelsea Theatre, there is a huge opportunity for success, with access to great facilities and support. The estate is based at the end of the famous retail sector of King’s Road and has bus travel access from surrounding train stations including Fulham Broadway, West Brompton, Earl’s Court, Gloucester Road, and South Kensington.
Here are some of the benefits of working with us at World’s End:
- We offer pitches with full gazebo coverings, electricity and tables.
- We are open and flexible and have day/casual licences for traders.
- A great chance to network with the local community and help make a difference.
- Each market has several subsidised/free stalls available on a first come first served basis
Contact [email protected] for more information.
How we process applications
All new registrations for are considered in the order received. What you want to sell is considered and weighed up in relation to other traders in the market already selling those goods.
If the market has too many of the same product your application could be declined.
If your goods are accepted, you will then receive an email invitation to attend the office to complete your registration.
You will need to bring:
- the confirmation email we sent you - a printed copy or on your phone.
- proof of your address such as a recent utility bill or bank statement - we don't accept mobile phone bills or goods invoices.
- proof of your National Insurance number such as your NI card, a pay slip, or P45.
- your passport, National ID card, or driving licence photocard.
- NMTF card or public liability insurance certificate with a minimum cover of £5 million
You can buy public liability insurance from an insurance broker or from:
- National Market Traders Federation
- Marketline
- Marketinsure Starter
- Combined Markets
All street traders must comply with our market standard conditions.
- Business Improvement Districts
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Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are defined commercial areas in which a levy is charged on all business rate payers to develop projects that help support business communities in that area. Improvements may include, but are not limited to, extra safety/security, reducing crime, increasing footfall, making the area look attractive, marketing, networking, events and environmental measures.
In RBKC, there are currently three BID areas operating and each of these has its own rules and is run by individual companies and not the Council. The BID areas are: Opportunity Kensington, King’s Road Partnership and Knightsbridge Partnership. The Council collects the BID levy on behalf of these companies who are then responsible for ring-fencing the money so it can only be spent on projects and services identified in the area’s Proposal and Business Plan.
If your property is in a BID area than you will have received a leaflet or a link to a leaflet with your BID bill from the Council explaining how this will run and what projects and services are in the pipeline. However, if you have not received this or need further details such as why your business is included, please contact the individual company running the BID in your area. The webpages and contact details for all three BIDs are shown below:
Opportunity Kensington
Website: Opportunity Kensington
Email: [email protected]King’s Road Partnership
Website: kingsrdpartnership.com
Email: [email protected]Knightsbridge Partnership
Website: Knightsbridge Partnership
Email: [email protected]Paying Business Improvement District (BID) Invoices
The Council collects BID levies on behalf of Business Improvement District companies. The below are the bank details to make the payment to:
By BACS:
Sort Code 50-30-10
Account 25062697Please quote the 10 digit BID invoice number beginning with 8 with your BACS payment and email remittance advices to [email protected]
For any BID invoice related queries, please email [email protected] or call 020 7361 2088.
Privacy Notice for BIDS
- Future High Street Programme
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Our High Street Principles
These principles have been drawn from extensive community engagement and were developed in partnership with Centre for London. They work to encourage healthy high streets which combine retail, hospitality and essential services in a way that is engaging and sustainable.
Our high streets should:
- be places people want to visit and spend time in by offering facilities, services and attractions.
- be adaptable and proactive to meet future needs by allowing for and supporting innovative and creative solutions.
- work for everyone by ensuring the provision of accessible facilities, commercial space and public realm that meets the needs of all ages and disabilities.
- encourage active travel by ensuring provision for cycle parking/hire, a pedestrian-friendly public realm and supporting traffic reduction schemes.
- be places that celebrate their own individual character and history by supporting their communities’ unique needs and offering bespoke cultural events and activities.
- be part of the solution to the climate crisis by reducing emissions and adapting to changing conditions, and encouraging greening.
- be places for creativity, culture, and art by supporting festivals, events, and activities.
- support existing businesses and encourage economic growth by working with and encouraging new Business Improvement Districts (BIDS), landowners and commercial tenants
Local action plans
We want our high streets to be places that are welcoming, where residents want to spend time and where visitors want to return to again and again. One way we are working to support our high streets is through the development of a series of adaptable Local Action Plans.
Local Action Plans are guided by our high street principles, as well as the Council’s streetscape guide. They are place-based projects which are shaped by local community engagement and informed by key criteria, to ensure they are deliverable, impactful, and well maintained. Informal community engagement will form the basis of all projects.
Future High Streets Research
Centre for London (CfL) were commissioned to investigate the future of the borough’s high streets in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their research examined the effects of temporary interventions that the Council implemented, such as al fresco dining pavement licences.
The first phase of work looked at looked at placemaking and high streets, with an in-depth analysis of Gloucester Road, Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road. This led to a template for all future Local Action Plans with proposed interventions such as more greening, seating, public art, events, and walking routes. The templates draw from the Council-led high street engagement and was supplemented with CfL’s own analysis and research.
Find out more information about the high streets research.
Consultation
To help us understand priorities and build an evidence base for future ambitions and interventions to Kensington and Chelsea’s high streets, we asked anyone living, working or visiting the borough to share their views on what they wanted to see improved and how they use their local high street.
The online survey received over 1,000 comments between August 2021 and February 2022. In addition, workshops were held with Residents’ Associations and members of the Council Citizens’ Panel. This input has provided valuable insights and helped inform the work programme going forward.