Kingston’s historic Market Place has been ranked the second-best shopping street in the country in a national survey.

More than 20,000 people voted in the Google Street View Awards 2011, which saw the area beat 18 other areas on the shortlist.

The last decade has seen the area pedestrianised, a fountain installed and new market stalls introduced, and it has become a key venue for the annual international youth arts festival.

The Market Place, which retains the same shape as in medieval times, also quickly recovered from the loss of its biggest stores, Woolworths and Borders in 2008 and 2009, when Clas Ohlson and Next moved in.

In a result one national newspaper described as a surprise, the Market Place came second behind Bondgate Within in Alnwick, Northumberland.

Liz Ellis, marketing executive for KingstonFirst, said: “We are absolutely delighted. It shows how much that area has changed and the resurgence in recent years.

“We have improved the mix of markets market stalls, so customers can buy their evening meal there, and it’s better quality – it’s more than fruit and veg.

“The fountain is a feature that contributes to the whole cafe culture of the area. I know there has been a strong desire locally to create that cafe culture, so it’s become a hub for people to come to.”

Grove ward councillor Barry O’Mahony said: “To me it has a kind of European and slightly medieval flavour about it, so it’s nicely different to more typical shopping streets which have become clones.”