Richmond Park opens new and redesigned catering kiosks

Two new catering kiosks and one redesigned kiosk have opened in Richmond Park, with another planned for later in the summer. Two Grab & Go kiosks have been installed at Ham and Kingston Gates. The kiosk at Pen Ponds has been recently replaced with a new, more sculptural structure, with Broomfield Hill Car Park kiosk being redeveloped in August.

The Royal Parks charity, which manages London’s eight Royal Parks, is opening these kiosks to add to the visitor facilities in Richmond Park.

Previously two old toilet blocks, the facilities at Ham Gate and Kingston Gate have been transformed into new Grab & Go catering outlets, together with refurbished toilets. Colicci, the company delivering the catering has collaborated with London-based design studio, Article Design on the interiors of these kiosks.

Pen Ponds and Broomfield Hill Car Park kiosks have been designed and built on the same principles as the recently installed centrally located kiosks which received multiple design nominations - with Ritz Corner kiosk winning a Restaurant & Bar Design Award in 2019. The overarching concept of these design is to be simple and functional whilst sympathetic to the park environment. These free-standing kiosks have been designed by Mizzi Studio, an award-winning architecture and design practice with studios in London and Malta.

Ensuring the sustainability of these two newly installed kiosks was a priority, especially as mains power is not available. Both kiosks have been adapted to use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, a fossil-free alternative to mineral diesel with reduced CO2 emissions compared with traditional diesel generators. Lithium battery pack technology will also be introduced at the Pen Ponds kiosk which will reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent. Once this has been installed solar panels will be fitted and connected to the system.

High-quality timber oak, sustainably sourced from Herefordshire, has been manufactured into hand-crafted, sculptural, steam-bent cladding. The tree-like canopy of the kiosks’ roofs creates a recognisable silhouette with instant associations of trees and nature whilst also providing shelter.

Paul Richards, Park Manager at Richmond Park, said: “We are so pleased to be able to add to our fantastic facilities here at Richmond Park. We hope that local residents and visitors from further afield all benefit from these additional and refurbished kiosks and will enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack whilst looking out at the park.

“The kiosks are designed with everyone in mind and are another way for them to connect with Richmond Park. We look forward to welcoming everyone into the parks to enjoy these new and improved spaces.

“Through our partnership with Colicci every purchase in the kiosks goes towards helping The Royal Parks charity in caring for Richmond Park.”