Proposal to build 150 flats at the former Regents Wing of Kingston Hospital
#44: New Malden’s Burlington Junior School set for a new upgrade, Kingston gets new Energy Saving Hub to cut energy bills, Future of Work Summit at Kingston University, Congestion Charge set to rise to £18, Thames Water fined nearly £123m, Margo returns with a TV Special as Surbiton-set The Good Life turns 50, Kingston International Film Festival returns next week, see AJ Tracey, Little Simz, Lucy Dacus, YUNGBLUD and more at Pryzm, Save the World Club turns 40, Kingston Nature and History Festival, Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Kingston Artists Open Studios return in June, Voices of Hope Afternoon Tea Concert, North Kingston Choir Summer Concert at CornerHOUSE, V&A East Storehouse opens this Saturday with free access to over 500,000 works, enjoying the British Summer Social Season, and more.
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Love Kingston
This month, another local newspaper disappeared from our streets and screens. First published in 1865, the South London Press joins a list of around 300 UK local newspapers to close since 2005. Industry experts estimate, since 2007 at least two out of three jobs in local journalism have disappeared.
Local media is the heart of communities. They focus on issues that have a direct impact on our daily lives – safer streets, local health resources, adequate places in local schools, holding local elected officials to account, and much more. They shine a light on local individual voices that would otherwise remain unheard. And the fast diminishing local newspapers also bring us stories of local charities and organisations that provide immeasurable support to those most vulnerable among our communities.
So, as yet another local newspaper disappears, I’m asking you, my lovely reader, to show your support for local newspapers. Pick up a copy of a local newspaper from your local supermarket or train station. Visit a website of a local newspaper and share a story with family and friends. To get you started, here are a few local newspapers still alive and serving communities across the Royal Borough of Kingston. Thank you! AH
START WITH A SMILE: Stuff to cheer us up
💚 Time Out’s Sustainable Stamp – a simpler way to make eco-friendly choices: Time Out has launched a new Sustainable Stamp to identify venues and events putting sustainability first. It’s a small green stamp that will now show up across Time Out’s reviews and guides to simply and clearly signpost venues and events that have eco-friendly objectives at the core of their business. So, next time you’re choosing a place to eat or explore, look for the Sustainable Stamp.
LOCAL STORIES: Stuff you need to know
🏗️ New proposal to build 150 flats at the former Regents Wing of Kingston Hospital: Urban developer Bywater is holding a public consultation event to discuss its proposal for a development of 150 flats at the former Regents Wing of Kingston Hospital in North Kingston. Vacant since 2021, the site has existing permission for 128 self-contained apartments with associated car parking. However, the developer is consulting on its revised proposal for 150 new homes with flexible amenity space including cycle parking to support a car-free development. Public consultation takes place Tuesday 3 June at St Peter’s Church, Norbiton. Full details are available here.
🔋 Kingston gets new Energy Saving Hub to cut energy bills and contribute to a greener borough: Developed in collaboration with the local Transition Town Kingston Energy community group, the new Energy Saving Hub from Kingston Council hopes to empower local people with knowledge to improve home energy efficiency, lower energy bills and contribute to a greener borough. A comprehensive online resource, the online hub provides practical information on a variety of topics, from low-cost and simple everyday changes to more significant home improvements. For guidance and advice on understanding energy usage, draught-proofing, insulation, heating and hot water system upgrades, renewable technologies and more, head online to Energy Saving Hub.
🏗️ Burlington Junior School in New Malden set for new upgrade to complete expansion: Having recently completed development work to increase the school’s capacity from 480 to 600 pupils, Burlington Junior School in New Malden is now set to demolish the school’s main building for a new three-storey teaching block to allow it to expand from four to five forms of entry, reports MyLondon. In a decision issued on Thursday 29 May, Kingston Council approved school’s plans that will also include a sports hall, outdoor playing fields, new staff car parking area and cycle parking. The land is part of Hobkirk House and Noble Centre, a former care home and physiotherapy practice, which has been empty since 2017. The planning application seeking its ‘Change of use to school playing field (Use Class F1), to form part of Burlington Junior School’ was to be discussed at the council Planning Meeting on Thursday 29 May. However, it was withdrawn from the meeting’s agenda.
🏢 Local business news: Future of Work Summit 2025 at Kingston University: Kingston Chamber of Commerce hosts Future of Work Summit next Friday 6 June at Kingston University Business School, Kingston Hill. Aimed at business owners, sole traders, freelancers, as well as people who are simply passionate about the world of business, the event aims to provide space to explore and engage in conversations around current challenges, innovation, emerging trends, and the future of work. Through expert talks, seminars and roundtable discussions, the day will shine a spotlight on a range of key business topics including employment law, workforce, cyber security, productivity, and AI. More information including the full agenda for the day is available here.
⛔ Congestion Charge set to rise to £18, drivers of electric vehicles expected to start paying too: Transport for London (TfL) has proposed the Congestion Charge should rise by 20% to £18, reports BBC. On January 2026, the daily £15 fee for drivers of vehicles in central London will increase to £18. This is the first rise since June 2020 when the charge jumped 30% from £11.50. Drivers of electric vehicles, who currently do not incur a charge for driving in the zone, will receive a 25% discount provided they are registered for auto pay.
💷 Thames Water fined nearly £123m, biggest ever penalty issued by Ofwat: Thames Water is hit by record £122.7 million fine following two investigations into the company by the water industry regulator Ofwat. The penalty is the biggest ever issued by the regulator and includes £104.5 million for breaches of rules relating to its sewage operations and £18.2 million for breaches of rules relating to dividend payments. Ofwat says the penalties will be paid by the company and its investors, and not by customers.
LOCAL DEMOCRACY: Stuff that affects your neighbourhood
📣 Calendar of council meetings – June 2025: It looks like a busy month with around 15 meetings scheduled for June. As usual, the agenda for each meeting is made available one week before the meeting and residents can attend meetings in person or online, and watch the recording after the meeting has taken place. As advocates of strong local democracy, we urge readers of Love Kingston to have their say at these meetings.
Meeting of Licensing Sub-Committee, Tuesday 3 June
Meeting of Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee, Tuesday 10 June
Meeting of South London Waste Partnership Joint Committee, Wednesday 11 June
Meeting of New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee, Wednesday 11 June
Meeting of South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee, Thursday 12 June
Meeting of Licensing Sub-Committee, Tuesday 17 June
Meeting of People Committee, Tuesday 17 June
Meeting of Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee, Wednesday 18 June
Meeting of Planning Committee, Thursday 19 June
Meeting of Kingston Partnership Board, Monday 23 June
Meeting of Schools Forum, Monday 23 June
Meeting of Pension Fund Panel, Tuesday 24 June
Meeting of Place Committee, Tuesday 24 June
Meeting of Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, Wednesday 25 June
Meeting of Corporate and Resources Committee, Thursday 26 June
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EVENTS: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy
📺 Set in Surbiton, classic sitcom The Good Life turns 50, Margo returns to celebrate with a TV Special: The legendary British star Dame Penelope Keith, who played the iconic Margo Leadbetter, will be back on our screens for a one-off TV Special to celebrate 50 years of the iconic BBC series that ran for four series from 1975 to 1978, reports the Mirror. The show starred Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Paul Eddington and Dame Penelope Keith and followed Tom and Barbara Good (Briers and Kendal) as they abandoned the rat race to live off the land in their suburban home in the Surbiton. A feature-length retrospective called The Good Life: Inside Out, presented by Dame Penelope, will revisit filming locations, scripts, props and more from the original shoot and is set to air on comedy channel U&Gold later this year.
🎦 Kingston International Film Festival is one week away: A reminder the Kingston International Film Festival returns next Friday for a fourth year from 6-8 June, as part of Kingston 2025 celebrations. This major event brings independent filmmakers, industry professionals and the local community together for three glittering days of screenings, workshops, and events, culminating with the Sunday evening Awards Presentation. The festival will showcase 75 films over three days across four venues covering a variety of film genres including horror, thriller, drama, comedy and documentary. Full programme of events is available here.
🎸 See AJ Tracey, Little Simz, Lucy Dacus and more at Pryzm courtesy of Banquet Records: Another month and another set of great artists are on their way for intimate gigs at Pryzm brought to you by the peerless Banquet Records. June’s schedule features some of the biggest names in current music – AJ Tracey, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, Aitch, Hard-Fi, YUNGBLUD, and more. Full listing is available here. You know the drill – you’ll have to be quick to secure a ticket!
🌳 Kingston Nature and History Festival: The Kingston Nature and History Festival kicks off this Friday 30 May with a range of activities including workshops, walks and talk, all free to attend and taking place in Kingston town centre. Running through to Sunday, 1 June, some of the highlights of the three day festival for the whole family include Heritage Talk: Kingston Power Station, Bug Hotel and Wildflower Planter Workshop, Kingston Wildlife QR Code Trail, Kingston Heritage Walk, and Bat Walk. The full programme and venue details are available here.
🏵️ Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is back this July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025 returns on 1 July with stunning designer gardens, incredible plants and flowers, summer family fun, shopping and entertainment and plenty of inspiration and expert advice. New for 2025, there are Gardens of Curiosity, created by new designers with innovative ideas. More information and previews are available here.
🎨 Kingston Artists Open Studios return in June: KAOS, a Kingston-based group of professional, semi-professional and experienced artists return for their annual Kingston Artists Open Studios event over the next two weekends, 7-8 and 14-15 June. This year’s event features around 60 artists in 23 venues across Kingston, Teddington, East Molesey and Thames Ditton. Full details including list of artists and a map of locations is available here.
🎤 Voices of Hope invite you to their Afternoon Tea Concert: Join Voices of Hope for an afternoon of music, dance, cream tea, and celebration on Saturday, June 14, at Kingston United Reformed Church. There’ll be a variety of performances that showcase the creativity and dedication of everyone involved, especially from older members of our community — from uplifting group numbers to solo acts. The afternoon will end on a relaxed note with afternoon tea, creating a welcoming space to connect and relax. Voices of Hope is a local charity dedicated to bringing hope to individuals and the wider community, improving physical and mental health through community-based projects. Secure your free place here.
🎤 North Kingston Choir Summer Concert at the CornerHOUSE in Tolworth: Join North Kingston Choir at the CornerHOUSE for a thrilling family friendly concert of some of your favourite modern and uplifting tunes accompanied by a live band – The JETS. The evening starts at 4pm on Sunday, 8 June, at the CornerHOUSE in Tolworth, Surbiton. More information is available here.
LONDON CALLING: Stuff to do, experience and enjoy in the big smoke
🎨 V&A East Storehouse opens this Saturday giving visitors access to over 500,000 works, for free: V&A East Storehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opens this Saturday 31 May with its vast, free-to-visit space where visitors can explore half a million works from the museum’s collection and peek behind the scenes of a working museum. What’s more, with the museum’s Order an Object service, you can request up to five objects to be brought to you for close-up enjoyment, and in some cases, actually touch or hold the works. Booking is essential for Order an Object – we expect it to be a popular option. What will you choose – the largest Picasso work in the world (The Race) or the museum’s most popular item, the hot pink 1954 silk taffeta evening dress by Cristóbal Balenciaga?
WHAT ELSE? Stuff we couldn’t quite fit anywhere else but thought you’d still find interesting
🏇 The British Summer Social Season: Chelsea Flower Show kicked off the ‘summer season’ last week but there are plenty of equally glamorous events to enjoy coming over the next couple of months. Glyndebourne’s annual operatic festival series is currently underway, Polo in the Park arrives at Hurlingham Park next week, and Royal Ascot is three weeks away before Wimbledon takes over SW19 midsummer. Here’s a list of some of the finest summer happenings courtesy of Luxury London.
