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Social Spaces Project: Next steps and how you can get involved

New updates on the Social Spaces project and the next phase in developing permanent planters around town.

The town centre Business Improvement District, Kingston First, has now appointed an award-winning architectural practice Ryder Architecture to take forward the next phase of the Social Spaces project.

What is the ‘Social Spaces’ project?

The Social Spaces project aims to bring additional seating and planting to the town centre. Through extensive research done by Kingston First, the result suggests that residents, visitors and businesses have shown a strong desire for more green spaces in the town centre. Since 2021, these temporary planting, seating and greening have been implemented in three locations: outside the train station; on lower Fife Road and on Thames Street.

Next steps in the project 

Following positive feedback from local residents, visitors and businesses Kingston First and Ryder will be working with businesses, local communities and users to develop plans and designs to introduce permanent seating and greening and better wayfinding interventions in these locations.

You can view the project’s timeline here 

How you can get involved 

Want to help shape the way our town looks? Throughout February 2023, there will be a series of drop-in sessions and online meetings sharing the initial design thinking and approach for locals, residents and businesses in Kingston town centre. This is your chance to talk, share ideas or ask questions with one of the Social Spaces team. 

Drop-in session dates

If you are interested in attending, please email info@kingstonfirst.co.uk to register your interest and reserve your slot.