Morning, Surbiton. The high street's having one of those weeks where it changes shape a bit — one shop pulling the shutters down for good, another lifting them for the first time this weekend. And with the school holidays now on, there's a proper list at the bottom of things to do with the kids — some right here, some worth the short hop out. Welcome too to the new faces from Maple Road, Alexandra Ward, St Andrews Square, Oakhill and — hello again — Chessington, a few of you in this week. Here's Wednesday.
Poundland is leaving Victoria Road
After a long run on Victoria Road, the Surbiton Poundland is closing for good on Sunday 9 August at 4pm. Everything left is being knocked down by 30% over its final 20 days, so if you've a use for it, that's your window. There's a rumour doing the rounds — and it's only that for now — that a gym might take the unit, which would rhyme with what happened in Tolworth, where the old Poundland became an Anytime Fitness back in May. Nothing confirmed on the Surbiton site yet.
…and a new Vietnamese place opens on Brighton Road
On the other side of the ledger: Madame Vy has its grand opening this Saturday 25 July at 6pm on Brighton Road, in the unit that was Delhi by Nature. They're running 30% off food for the first month, which is a fair reason to give somewhere new a go. For the handful of you who keep asking me for more restaurant news — here's one.
One to be aware of: Chessington stabbing
For the Chessington readers — a few of you joined this week — a man in his 30s was taken to hospital with potentially serious injuries after a stabbing on Foxglove Lane in the early hours of Thursday 16 July. Police have made no arrests so far and enquiries are ongoing. No wider risk has been flagged, but worth knowing if it's your neighbourhood.
Ewell Road is the one to know this week. The big one: the new cycle-route works at the Ditton Road, Hollyfield Road and Kingsdowne Road junctions with Ewell Road are now live — they went in Monday and the council has them running all the way to 25 January 2027. That's multi-way signals and some road closures for roughly six months, so if Ewell Road is your route, this is the new normal. (For anyone keeping score — this is the closure Helen flagged; the council's own listing has it starting the 21st, not the 27th she'd heard.)
- Rest of Ewell Road: busy beyond that too — signals by Dysart School to 27 July, a traffic-counter job bringing evening lights (7.30–10.30pm) on the 23rd, and gully works near Tolworth Close from 27 July. Expect stop-start.
- A3 at Tolworth: unchanged — lane one still closed, no access from Tolworth Junction onto the A3 southbound, TfL still saying 29 July.
- Bus 281: still on diversion until 9pm Wed 29 July — can't serve Tolworth Station either way; first stop northbound is Princes Avenue on Ewell Road.
- Hook Road: the UK Power Networks cabling job that's run since March has its last day today — but don't read that as all-clear: there are still signals at the Bridge Road, Vale Road and Gladstone Road junctions into late July.
- Berrylands Road, Pine Walk to Regent Road: still nowhere on the official list, still there if you drive it. I'll keep chasing an official line.
K1, K2, K3 and the 71: all good service. And for Allison in Berrylands, who asked for advance warning on K2 diversions — nothing posted today, you're clear. Spot something not here? Reply and I'll dig.
- Open Mic at Ram Jam Records: tonight (Wed 22nd), 7pm. listings
- Sunsara + Guests, live: Ram Jam, Thu 23rd, 8pm.
- Crack Comedy Club: Ram Jam, Fri 24th, 8.30pm — their regular sell-out night (ticketed, check the venue).
- Madame Vy grand opening: Brighton Road, Sat 25th, 6pm (see above).
- Matt Forde & Hannah Byczkowski — Edinburgh Fringe preview: Ram Jam, Sun 26th, 8pm.
- Lifting Spirits wellbeing hub: 96 Ditton Road, Wed 22nd and Fri 24th, 10am, free. details
Forward marker: no farmers' market this week — the next Surbiton Farmers' Market is Saturday 15 August, Maple Road, 9am–1pm.
School's out, so here's a spread to get you through the week — a couple right on the doorstep, a couple worth the short trip. I'll refresh this as the holidays roll on.
- Saxon Fayre — free: Ancient Market Place, Kingston, Sat 25th from 10.30am. A living-history day — Saxon forge, a mobile farm, falconry, crafts and dress-up. Best free family thing this weekend. details
- Bushy Park — free: just over the river at Teddington. 300 free-roaming deer, the Diana Fountain, the Woodland Gardens, a big playground and the Pheasantry Café. Free parking, open all summer — the reliable no-cost day out. details
- Inky Pathways art workshop (rainy-day pick): Rose Theatre, Kingston, Sat 25th, 10.30am–12.30pm — a children's art session indoors. Ticketed, check the venue. details
- Dennis the Menace at Hampton Court: a summer adventure trail plus the Magic Garden and the hedge maze, 25 July–23 August, all in with palace admission. Paid entry — check ahead. details
- Chessington World of Adventures: right on our patch and open daily through the summer — theme park and zoo in one. Paid, and online tickets booked ahead beat the gate. plan a visit
- Tolworth Station Community Garden — free: a hands-on gardening morning the little ones can actually join in with, Sat 25th, 10.30am, run by the Community Brain. details
Two for the diary: the Rose Theatre has big family shows across August (Ministry of Science Live 3–9 Aug, The Cat in the Hat 13–16 Aug), and the free Summer Reading Challenge runs at Kingston libraries all holiday — pop into your branch to sign the kids up.
A misty start that burns off into a proper sunny day — top of 28°C, down to 16°C tonight. Next to no rain, only a light breeze. Good one for the park.
That's Wednesday. Thanks to Helen and Allison for the tips — the Roads box is only as good as what you send me, so keep them coming. And if you've a family spot the kids love, reply and I'll share it on.
Mike, Surbiton Daily
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