The old Kingston post office which has been left empty by developers for at least 10 years could soon become a children’s nursery.

A planning application has been submitted to change the Old Sorting Office in Eden Street into a children’s play centre with a cafe.

Nick Wright from Hurricane Harry’s Limited has also asked Kingston Council for new entrance doors and minor changes to the interior of the listed building.

The sorting office, owned by developer Hammerson, has been unused for more than 10 years, as plans to redevelop the eastern part of the town have stalled.

Peter Mason, of the campaign to bring the post office back into community use, said: “It is not quite what we campaigned for but it does bring it back into play and it is better than really I would think.

"We would like to support it more."

Surrey Comet:

(The original plans from 2010) - which would have pedestrianised Eden Street, creating a new two-level shopping street, 250 new homes and a public square, car park and bus station.