The Old Post Office (TOPO)

In 2012 the old head post office in Kingston was an empty at-risk Grade 2 listed building with great potential for use as a community cultural centre by environmental groups, artists, local charities and support groups, and small/start-up businesses. 

A consortium of community groups* had a vision for the building that included a cafe, event and exhibition space, an environment hub, meeting places, studios, workshops, office space... and we worked together for a few years to secure this space for the community and turn the vision into a reality - with some success, as community use was included in the planning permission for the St George Royal Exchange development. We awaited developments with interest, for many years...

In 2021 a new consortium of green groups and individuals came together to plan a Climate Emergency Centre, the Kingston Hive CIC, and in 2022, as the Royal Exchange development neared completion, the Old Post Office was once more being considered as a potential community hub, with the top two floors renovated and reserved for community use. Once again, we awaited developments, hoping that The Kingston Hive's application to occupy this space early in 2023 wold be successful as it would bring something unique and important to our town centre and, given that some of this new consortium were amongst the early campaigners for community space in the listed buildings, it would be a well-deserved outcome.

However, it was not to be. It seems that Kingston Mind will be the beneficiary. nice for them but leaving The Kingston Hive still searching for a base, ideally, like TOPO, a permanent one...

2024
The Hive now has a home in the Cycle Hub next to Kingston Station, It is small but central, and all sorts of activities go on there- see their website for more information and a calendar of events. 

* Our supporters in the early years (many of whom have since found other premises or moved on to new projects, though some, the highlighted ones, are currently involved in the Kingston Hive collaboration, along with other groups and individuals) included: 
Creative Youth
Fusion Arts
Greener Kingston 
Kingston Eco-op
Kingston Environment Centre
Kingston Environment Forum
Kingston Fairtrade Group
Kingston Green Radio
Recovery Initiative Social Enterprise
Save the World Club
Transition Town Kingston
Wow! Vintage & Craft