Kingston town centre wins Audit Commission praise (From Kingston Guardian)

Kingston town centre wins Audit Commission praise

10:05am Monday 1st March 2010

Kingston town centre is cleaner, safer and more vibrant, thanks to Kingston Council and town centre management, the Audit Commission has declared.

The council gained praise from the government watchdog, in a national report which gave a general overview of how well public services are being delivered.

The report said: “[Kingston’s] local partners have made the town centre cleaner, safer and more vibrant, significantly reducing crime and promoting the local economy.

“A combination of physical improvements and improved transport services has encouraged people to visit the town centre, benefiting local businesses.”

Leader of Kingston Council Councillor Derek Osbourne said: “The council and its partners, including the police, Kingston First and local businesses, work very well together to bring tangible benefits to residents, businesses and visitors to the Royal borough.

“I am proud that the Audit Commission recognises the tangible benefits the Kingston partnership brings to the wider community and considers it a model of good practice to be replicated nationally.”

The boss of Kingston’s Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Gagliani, said the improvements were down to Graham McNally, the town centre manager and the rest of the Kingston First team.

She said: “We have all been working in unison to effect the changes which are very positive, has resulted in Kingston bucking the trend in terms of visitor numbers and spend in the town and goes to prove what an excellent place Kingston is.”

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