Our story so far
New Malden Town Centre Partnership
Officers from Kingston Council, local community groups and residents came together to support their hometown of New Malden as it recovered from the impact of Covid. In recent years, New Malden has experienced significant change — the loss of many shops, a department store and almost all banks, alongside rapid shifts in demographics and property development. In response, partners chose collaboration over decline, working proactively to re-energise the town centre.
In 2022, the Council and the Greater London Authority provided seed funding to establish New Malden Town Centre Partnership. During that first year, the Partnership celebrated Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee and Christmas festivities, supported winter tree lighting and colourful High Street banners, delivered summer children’s activities, helped install decorative hoardings in Jubilee Square, and supported the reinvigoration of the New Malden Business Forum and a new digital business directory.
In 2023, the Partnership collaborated with artists, architects, students, local people and businesses. Creative projects were developed with Julia Vogl, Carrie Reichardt, The 121 Collective, Creative Youth, and the Food of Us Team. Themes of friendship, cultural diversity, food and homeliness shaped storytelling, design and public art. This collaborative energy led to vibrant events marking the Coronation of Charles III, summer children’s storytelling sessions, puppet theatre, outdoor cinema, Vegecoopia horticultural swap shops, a co-grow garden with Aulaw Organic CIC, farm-to-table events and mini-markets.
Through 2024 and into 2025, the Partnership has consolidated and expanded this momentum. Highlights have included the continued success of the co-grow garden and Co Grow community harvest initiatives with Aulaw Organic, strengthening local food resilience and community participation. The Good Food Green Fair, delivered as part of the King Athelstan Celebrations, brought together growers, traders, performers and residents in Jubilee Square, celebrating sustainability, enterprise and New Malden’s cultural vibrancy. The year concluded with a lively Christmas celebration, reinforcing civic pride and partnership working across the town centre.
We are proud of the progress made since 2022 — from recovery to renewal — and remain committed to ensuring New Malden continues to thrive as a resilient, inclusive and creative town centre.
