A Kingston town centre has been described as 'filthy', with residents and businesses 'suffering' as a result.

Conservative councillor Ian George said shops in central Surbiton are shutting down while piles of rubbish are left 'sitting there for months on end' as he slammed maintenance of the area.

The councillor made the comments at a Kingston Council meeting on Tuesday, July 11. He demanded the Lib Dem-run authority commit to overhauling central Surbiton to give residents and businesses the "wonderful town they deserve".

Councillor George claimed the area is in a "terrible state", particularly the high street Victoria Road and St Philip's Rd Car Park. He said residents and businesses are "suffering because of the poor maintenance, cleaning, lack of care and investment and a disregard for maintaining the conservation area". 

He said: "Shops are closing, and some of the chain shops are now not investing in their own shops, perhaps also getting ready to close down. There's constant begging, and people camping out in the main streets, with no action being taken by the council to keep the street clear and help those into housing and a better life.

"Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting is rife. Would-be customers of Surbiton businesses are expected to park in the filthy car park behind the high street, walk behind the shops, stepping over rubbish as they go, down a dangerous unlit alley with graffiti and plenty of places for people to hide, past the stench of urine, through the filthy passageway full of graffiti and finally to the filthy pavement and the shops."

But Lib Dem council leader Andreas Kirsch said the administration "does not recognise this portrayal of Surbiton at all" and described it as a "vibrant community". He said: "While there are undoubtedly actions that still need to be taken, much work is going on, and it has been going on, to reflect the importance of the whole of Surbiton and its communities."

He said the authority's waste team routinely monitor the borough's streets and maintain cleaning standards, including clearing 99 per cent of reported flytips in one working day. An average of 12 overflowing bins are reported each month, he added, and 99 per cent are sorted in the required timescale.

Councillor Kirsch said the council works actively with the community and supports voluntary groups who are 'improving the local town centre' – including Surbiton Art Trail, which is working with businesses to install murals in the town centre. The council is working on increasing lighting in the alley, he added, along with supporting improvements to Surbiton station.

He said the council will develop tailored support for local high street businesses. The authority aims to remove graffiti from public spaces in 10 working days, he said, while businesses are responsible for removing graffiti on their properties.

The council received three reports of anti-social behaviour in the last six months for the St Mark's and Seething Wells ward, which includes Victoria Road and St Philip's Rd Car Park, according to Councillor Kirsch. None of the reports related to the high street or car park, he said, and community safety officers will meet with the ward's safer neighbourhood team to discuss issues raised.

Councillor Kirsch said businesses are suffering and not getting enough support due to 'a failure of the Conservative government', with soaring interest rates and high inflation.

He added: "The council is continuing to support our high streets in Surbiton and across the borough."

But Councillor George slammed the response as 'very disappointing'. He said: "If you don't even recognise the fact that there's piles of rubbish sitting there for months on end and people sleeping in the streets permanently… and you're letting it happen, it's a disgrace."

Councillor Kirsch said the authority is doing its 'utmost' to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Kingston. He said: "It's not easy. We are all together in this with many other local authorities across the country."