The Hampstead Antique Emporium is one of the oldest indoor markets in London and has drawn visitors from around the world to the heart of Hampstead for 55 years. The market housed around 25 small, environmentally sustainable businesses, and provided a livelihood for antique dealers, artists, vintage clothes sellers, jewellery specialists, repair and craftspeople - some called the market ‘home’ for 30 years! It was closed with two months notice on Jan 7th, 2023, by the landlord Richard Jaffe of Currie Motors without any consultation with the local community.

The Emporium was one of the increasingly few affordable places in the community and provided a centre for locals to meet and was an attractive destination for tourists. It provided affordable second-hand items and repair services, and showcased craftsmanship, quality and inspiring design, built to last. An ethos of re-use and repair should be encouraged and protected for the good of the environment and not redeveloped for yet more unaffordable luxury and unsustainable consumption.

The local community was so outspoken about the loss of the antique market, Camden Council recognised it as an Asset of Community Value. Now the traders and local residents are raising funds to buy the market for the community. Cllr Linda Chung says, "Given the invaluable role the market plays in Hampstead, the community urgently needs to raise the funds to save it."