Notable community hubs and businesses in Kingston continuing to provide in various ways for residents in Kingston despite the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to impact the borough, much-loved public spaces and stores are finding new ways to keep residents engaged.

Kingston Library, for example, have launched a number of virtual literary events from story time read-alongs to educational sessions available on their Facebook page.

Banquet Records meanwhile switched exclusively to online orders while guaranteeing they would make no redundancies during the lockdown.

In a statement posted on their website, Banquet said:

"In the strangest of times, as things stand we're still operating mailorder, albeit with many constraints.

"There's actually loads of great new releases out right now including albums from Brian Fallon, The Chats, Milk Teeth, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Bon Iver and Parkway Drive."

A later update posted to Twitter highlighted some of the ways Banquet had changed their work processes, including extending the working day to 12 hours to allow for better social distancing, encouraging staff to work from home if they preferred and removing shrink wrap from their records.

Elsewhere in Kingston, the Market Place stalls continue to provide fresh food to residents, while the Rose Theatre have launched a fundraising campaign under the 'RoseEndures' hashtag after they like all theatres in the UK were forced to close by the virus.

Restaurants in the borough are also playing their part.

Kingston First, the business development group in the area, singled out Hache Burgers, who are offering 50 per cent off for NHS staff and emergency workers during the lockdown.

They also praised Riverside Vegetaria, who "are looking after the vulnerable by supplying free homemade soup for the over 70’s."

The network hope to continue their support for businesses and the aforementioned institutions through the crisis.

Kirsten Henly, chief executive at Kingston First, said Friday (April 3) that the community's response to coronavirus showed its strength:

“In the face of the unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses across Kingston have been working together to lift the community spirit and adapt where they can.

"We understand the difficulties and disruption the pandemic is having both to businesses and personal lives but there are also many examples of innovation, strength and solidarity during this difficult time.”