the big interview
County Hall, Kingston: Where History Meets Inn The Trampery is a purpose-led enterprise dedicated to making business a positive force in society. Join them in celebrating Kingston’s business community at the County Hall this summer, where you can meet local business owners and share your vision for the future of business. The History of County Hall, Kingston County Hall has a long history. Designed by Charles Henry Howell and built by Higgs and Hill, the building was completed in 1893 and remained in use by the county council until its relocation to Reigate in 2020. The original 1893 building, along with the 1930s Vincent Harris wing and the central courtyard will be placed at the heart of this new mixed-use development. Historic England, which prepared a detailed Heritage Impact Statement, supports the project which includes the demolition of two dilapidated buildings erected in the middle of the 20th century. Sensitive design and appropriate sustainable uses will protect the listed building. The intention is not to alter it, internally or externally, but rather to transform the interiors through careful cleaning and redecoration. The beautiful terrazzo flooring, historic signage, decorative detailing and bespoke fixtures and fittings will enhance the workspaces. This type of distinctive and characterful workplace is proving highly attractive to businesses, particularly those within the creative industries that, over the last decade, have been some of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
A Vision for the Future The restoration of the Grade II* listed building at County Hall and the creation of flexible workspaces for up to 600 people, along with podcast rooms, studios, an events hub and a café, will safeguard one of Kingston’s most significant buildings. In addition to conserving, preserving and protecting County Hall’s heritage for future generations, the scheme will also bring immediate, significant, benefits to Kingston’s business community and the local economy. This will be an outstanding new business destination for the town. The events space, set within the impressive Court Room and Council Chamber, will be available for community use – for meetings, talks
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or lectures. These former civic spaces will also be available to local community organisations and charities at an affordable rate. Many of the areas within the listed building and the landscaped setting will be publicly accessible on a regular basis for the first time in the building’s history. From Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey to Top Boy and The Bill, County Hall has been the set of an impressive range of TV and film productions. Bringing it back as a film location offers fantastic opportunities for the local economy with £3.25 million per annum generated across hotels and catering as well as the potential for local employment and apprenticeships in the film industry.
BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community
