The Kingston Echo

Bits of news from Kingston Upon Thames.
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Bluesky:

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

After much too long boarded up, the old Co-op store unit on Kings Road has been turned into this great looking place. Bike servicing, repairs, coffee and more.

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

An update on Kingston's e-bikes plans - there's been a rethink and the entire procurement is to be restarted. In the meantime Forest has had its contract extended (was due to end on 6 Sept).
https://t.co/3344tgimHF

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Kingston is to change its official e-bike supplier at the end of this week. Instead of just Forest there'll be two official e-bike providers. But which two will it be? Kingston Council decided in secret in May, and has still not made their choice public https://t.co/Np1qD6gad8

[Kingston Carnival @carnivalKT]

@krec2016 & @RBKingston regret to announce that @carnivalKT 2026 will not take place this year! After careful consideration we have decided to postpone the event until 2027 to ensure its long-term sustainability and continued success! More information will follow shortly!

[LBC @LBC]

Tory councillor suspended from party and reported to police after ‘physical confrontation’ which left election agent 'bruised' https://t.co/fLX15AKUKE

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Bevan's Butchers on the move (temporarily)? A planning application has been submitted to allow the former salesroom for the flats opposite big Sainsbury's in Kingston to become a temporary home for Bevan's while work is done to refurbish/expand its current Richmond Road base.

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

The lane closure continues on the one-way system. Buses heading to London Road are being diverted/going to be diverted via Birkenhead Avenue, so miss the stop near Tiffin Kingston Grammar schools.

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Kingston councillors are to decide next week on a plan to have two e-bike providers in the borough. Forest are the only official ones at the moment. The names of the two preferred bidders have not been revealed yet:
https://t.co/LCW7RE3O3Z

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Kingston councillors are to decide next week on a plan to have two e-bike providers in the borough. Forest are the only official ones at the moment. The names of the two preferred bidders have not been revealed yet:
https://t.co/LCW7RE3O3Z

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Unlike Richmond, which now only has Lib Dem councillors, Kingston council will have an opposition - two Conservative and two Kingston Independent Residents Group councillors. (The other 44 councillors elected are Lib Dems)

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

After six wards' results it's currently 18 Lib Dem councillors in Kingston vs none for other parties. Greens have been doing best in terms of trying to make it a two horse race.

[Kingstonian FC @KingstonianFC]

The Supporters Club will be hosting an online meeting on Thursday evening. It will take place on Microsoft Teams. All are welcome to attend.

The Board of the Football Club will provide the rationale for the decision to ground share with Ashford Town (Middlesex) for the next two seasons and an update on the search for a permanent home.

First Team manager Scott Harris will join the meeting, and supporters will have the opportunity to ask both the Board and the Manager questions on Club and Football matters.

The link for the meeting is below:

https://t.co/fksPH3yNfC

[J O N _ T O L L E Y @JonTolleyTweets]

Kingstonian move to Ashford!!! and the new Kingston FC

I remain a fan of Kingstonian but think the move to Ashford is terminal for the club. meanwhile a new Kingston based football club has been formed.

@KingstonianFC @Kingstonfc2026

[Kingstonian FC @KingstonianFC]

Kingstonian to end ground share with Raynes Park Vale, to move to Ashford Town (Middlesex) for two seasons: https://t.co/oP7JpkRKyo

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Richmond Council has voted to switch ebike partner from Lime Bikes to Forest Bikes. Kingston selected Forest a few years ago - not sure what the terms were, but North Kingston is still dominated by Lime Bikes. Will be interesting to see what impact last night's decision has.

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

The new version of the Crescent Road one-way traffic restrictions (to operate from 7.30am to 9.30am Mon-Fri) has been confirmed after a Kingston council scrutiny committee hearing (but it'll take about two months until the change is made):
https://t.co/VxgaMkKxyr

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

@Jackie_Travel Richmond Road is now reopened, but still got long delays because it's down to one lane until the railway bridge.

[Friends of Richmond Park @FRPTweets]

On #IWD2026, we celebrate some remarkable women associated with Richmond Park. First, Sylva Boyden, pioneer parachutist, who on 28th February 1919 was the first woman to make a parachute jump, testing an experimental design, from a tethered balloon in the Park. 1/

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

Kingston Bingo Hall's now been left to rot for nearly 16 years. Thanks to these 'urban explorers' we can see what it looks like inside, or did in 2024 (post-fire update in the comments): https://t.co/HLo7QbzjAJ

[The Kingston Echo @Thekingstonecho]

@BanquetRecords The record to beat is Rapid DIY's street-long series of units in Liverpool