A threatened antiques market has been granted Asset of Community Value (ACV) status.

Camden Council made Hampstead Antiques & Craft Emporium an ACV on Wednesday (January 4), potentially giving the community the opportunity to buy it.

Traders are due to be evicted from the emporium on Saturday (January 7) after owners Staplepine gave them two months notice to vacate.

Staplepine director Richard Jaffe previously told the Ham&High it was "no longer financially viable" to run it.

A protest by traders is planned on Saturday from 2pm in a last ditch attempt to save it.

Owner of the Curiosity Cabinet at the emporium, Alex Porter, who "worked really hard" to get the emporium ACV status, said: "It's amazing. It's just one step further on and hopefully we can work with the landlord to continue having an antiques market here. It's really good news."

The antique market, housed in old Victorian stables on the corner of Heath Street and Perrins Court, has drawn visitors from around the world to the heart of Hampstead since 1964.

A petition launched by Alex to preserve the market against development so far has almost 1,500 signatures.

She added: "Getting the ACV has been really hard work. Camden Council really pulled out all the stops for us."

Hampstead Town councillor Linda Chung (Liberal Democrat) said: "I feel very pleased and elated for the traders but there's still a long way to go before we can achieve full security for the site and the traders.

Her message to the owners was "please give us an opportunity to buy, please give us an opportunity to discuss the best way forward for the asset, and please be aware the amount of love and affection the community holds and the amount of energy the community will wish to put in to it to save it".

She added: "We want to save the market in perpetuity for the traders, for the high street and for the community."

Cllr Stephen Stark, (Con, Hampstead Town) said: "Well done to Alexandra Porter from Hampstead Emporium for obtaining the ACV. 

"I would also acknowledge and express thanks for the assistance of Hampstead Forum and Heath & Hampstead Society and indeed express gratitude to everyone who supports the Antiques Emporium." 

He added that the situation "is very unsettling for the businesses and the local area".

The market’s website has been shut down.

Cllr Danny Beales, lead member for investing in communities, culture and an inclusive economy said: "The Hampstead Emporium is an important part of cultural and commercial life in Hampstead and a hub for independent art traders.While the Asset of Community Value provides safeguards in the event of a future sale of the Emporium  building, it does not affect the current sale.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, and I know the community and traders are working hard to fight for the future of the Emporium - we will support them within our powers."

Mr Jaffe has been contacted.