The 27th February brought joy to many residents in the Kingston area after a street party was organized to bring the consumers’ focus back onto Old London Road. The increase in the quantity of chain stores in the Kingston area over the last few years has had a devastating effect on many of the independently owned businesses in Kingston, namely the iconic small businesses lining Old London Road. The street party aimed to change that and many would say it succeeded. ‘It’s great we can all get together to help the community’, stated one enthusiastic resident.
Old London Road is known for its toppling red phone boxes; an iconic symbol of Kingston. Many of the shops and restaurants along the road have been there for decades and are a reminder of the independent shopping hub Kingston once was. It is widely hoped that the party has brought attention back to Kingston’s old businesses so that they have a fresh chance of surviving in the modern competitive market.
