About us

Welcome to Saint Leonards Church, a vibrant community hub with a rich history and an exciting future!

Our Story

With over 35 years of experience in retail and hospitality, Chris has a diverse background running businesses that include shops selling kitchenware, gifts, art materials, greetings cards, and picture framing. He also established the very successful Crocodile Café in London, known for its charming outdoor garden featuring a stream with giant goldfish.

In a bid to preserve history and foster community spirit, Chris bought the abandoned Grade 2 listed Saint Leonards Church at auction. His goal was to prevent it from being converted into flats and instead transform it into a thriving community space. Inspired by his previous ventures, he envisioned the church as an antiques center with a café in the tower.

Featured on 'Homes Under the Hammer' (Series 25, Episode 59), Chris ambitiously projected a six-month turnaround for the project. However, it took five years of relentless effort, passion, and dedication. This year, we're thrilled to finally open the doors of Saint Leonards Church as an indoor market and spectacular wedding venue!

Our Vision

Together with a dedicated team of volunteers, Chris is committed to creating an extraordinary community hub for local residents. Our weekly Saturday Market is just the beginning, future plans for St. Leonards Church include:

- **Event Spaces**

- **Cinema and Theatre**

- **Cafés and Restaurants**

- **Spectacular Licensed Wedding Venue** for civil ceremonies, accommodating over 500 guests

Join Us

All proceeds from our activities directly support the ongoing renovation of this beautiful church building. We invite you to join us in this exciting journey and become part of the future of Saint Leonards Church. Enjoy the unique atmosphere, participate in our vibrant events, and help us preserve this historical gem for generations to come.

Read the Hastings Independant article about us here