local
venture beyond the box Old London Road offers inspiration and eclectic shops
Defined by the iconic telephone boxes art installation, Old London Road focuses on taking something old and established and turning it into something new and exciting. For example, just two: Kingston’s first police station is now an office building, the Kopshop, where businesses can rent a ‘cell’; the Oxfam Bookshop has made use of the former Three Coney’s alehouse, built over 350 years ago.
Kingston Antiques Centre epitomises the idea of re-use and re-creation. Housing more than 80 traders, the centre sells everything from antique and re-worked furniture to collectables and clothing. For those of you still in love with vinyl, Collectors Records stocks a huge range of records, along with DVDs and CDs. Further down the street, That Vintage Shop specialises in men and women’s vintage clothing and accessories. Add in Fabricland for trimmings and fabric and Faststitch for tailoring and alterations and you can create something truly unique.
That Vintage Shop
Up-cycling is a new take on re-using. Number 37 specialises in quirky hand-crafted up-cycled furniture and accessories and products by up-and-coming designers. Number 37 hit the headlines by appearing on BBC’s Mary, Queen of Shops. Not to be outdone in the fame stakes, The Mosaic Workshop appeared recently on ITV’s House Gift with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The store creates private commissions for both indoor and outdoor mosaics, and has been involved in projects for schools
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and local communities, including the mosaics at Kingston station.
Famous faces also regularly appear in the comedy line-up at The Fighting Cocks including Robin Williams, Bill Bailey and Frank Skinner. It also boasts a leopard- print pool table!
If a day browsing through antique and vintage shops leaves you in need of a break, one of Old London Road’s best kept secrets is the fabulous Thai on Thames; Caffe Jax is ideal for a quick snack and displays local artists’ works on the walls, while Little Italy is great for families. The Antique Centre houses a Polish café - and a new Polish restaurant, Republic, opened late last year.
Number 37
Number 37
This is just a taste of all the delights awaiting you on Old London Road. See you by the phone boxes.
With special thanks to Mark Goodman at Accomplish for Photos 3-5 for images of phoneboxes and instore; and to Gemma Spiers for image of Almshouses.
Old London Road Street Party Celebrate St George’s Day on Saturday 23 April from 11am-4pm. Enjoy live music and entertainment, children’s area, a street market,
special discounts and a free prize draw.
www.kingstonfirst.co.uk
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