Future of Thameside Car Park - Call for Expressions of Interest

Overview

Kingston council and Kingston First are launching an exciting initiative to revitalise and reimagine Thameside Car Park, a unique, underutilised asset in Kingston town centre.

We are calling on community organisations, local businesses, and charities to bring their ideas to transform this prime riverside spot alongside a popular walking and cycling route connecting Canbury Gardens, North Kingston, and the town centre. 

This location offers an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact, building on the ambitions set out in Your Vision, Our Future: A Vision for Kingston Town Centre and ‘Confident in Kingston' the Economic Development Strategy for Kingston upon Thames. Together, we want to create a destination that draws footfall and builds a welcoming, safe, and accessible space for people of all ages to enjoy.  

At this early stage we are seeking expressions of interest (EOI's) to pilot or test new uses for this space. We are open to all ideas. This could include a wide range of uses, such as leisure courts, studio space, markets, creative workspaces, a skatepark, play facilities, or community cafes and restaurants. The aim is for the space to be used daily, daytime to evening, with a mix of commercial and community activities which are self-sustaining financially in the medium to longer term. 

We encourage proposals to include landscape improvements as well as new structures if required. Depending on the ambition, some proposals may also require planning permission and permission from the Environmental Agency (‘EA’) due to proximity to the Thames. 

We will support the winning organisation to design and develop their proposal for delivery by Summer 2027. We will contribute £65,000 of seed funding and expect some match funding by the winning organisation towards the provision of the initial infrastructure and investment required to kickstart the new business proposals. 

We will also support the winning organisation in a bid for additional Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding.  

All expressions of interest will be reviewed by an evaluation panel against the criteria set out. Following this assessment, three to five organisations will be shortlisted and invited to submit a full tender. The successful organisation will then be selected through this process.

Key requirements & considerations for proposals

How to Submit Expressions of Interest

To submit your Expression of Interest, please follow the link at the bottom of this page to complete the submission form.

Submissions should be a Maximum of 4 pages of A4 (excluding CVs, including 11pt text and images) to be submitted in pdf format. 

Please answer to the following questions (the percentages show how the evaluation scoring will be weighted): 

1. Please outline your proposal and the quantifiable community benefits and social value that you propose will be delivered as part of the set up and operation of the site, including an indication of how these have been derived. (40%)

2. Please outline your business plan including a summary of initial setup costs and ongoing running costs and forecasted income where applicable (these can be high level estimates at this stage). (30%)

3. Please provide details of relevant experience and previous events/ projects (including CVs of relevant personnel). (20%)

4. Please provide an outline programme (timeline) for delivery and business operations. (10%)

Please also ensure you are able to provide details of your constituted group, organisation, business or charity.  If the expression of interest is successful, the following will need to be demonstrated at the next stage:

1. That your group has a management committee or board of trustees with at least three members.

2. You have a bank or building society account in the name of the group/organisation.

3. That you do not have an ongoing deficit that the grant application could be used to fill.

4. That your group has at least two unrelated people to authorise cheques and make withdrawals.

5. That you have an accounting system that records income and expenditure (please provide a copy of your last annual accounts). 

6. That you have a budget breakdown form for the project/service you want to undertake.

EOI's must be received by: Friday 4th December   

If you would like to have an initial conversation to discuss your ideas before submitting an application, please contact: Chloe Skry at regeneration@kingston.gov.uk.