When Kingston Hurts, We All Feel It: Standing Together After the Kingston Market Fire

The fire at Kingston's Ancient Market Place has been heartbreaking to see. As a fellow independent business owner, my thoughts are with the traders, their families and everyone whose livelihood has been affected. Behind every stall are early mornings, long days, years of sacrifice and a dream built through hard work.

Small businesses are the heart of Kingston

Kingston upon Thames is more than its shops and restaurants. It is a community made special by independent traders, cafés, pubs, market stalls and family-run businesses. When a local business suffers, the effects reach staff, customers, suppliers and families. A business is never just a shopfront: it is someone's livelihood and often their life's work.

From The Pottery Tapas Bar, with love

At The Pottery Tapas Bar, close to Kingston town centre, we feel proud to be part of this community. We bring friends and families together over Spanish tapas with a Brazilian influence, sangria, celebrations and good conversation. But being a local restaurant means more than serving food. It means showing up for our neighbours when times are difficult.

A little gesture from The Pottery

To independent traders directly affected by the Kingston Market fire, we would love to offer a complimentary tapas lunch at The Pottery Tapas Bar, by prior arrangement. It is a small gesture from one local business to another, with no publicity expected and no strings attached. If you have been affected, or know a trader who has, please contact us so we can discuss how to help.

Let's keep supporting independent Kingston

Visit the traders who are still operating, shop locally, recommend your favourite independent businesses and keep Kingston's community spirit alive. We hope to see Kingston Market bustling again. To everyone affected, our hearts are with you.

With love and solidarity, Jackson and the team at The Pottery Tapas Bar, Kingston upon Thames.