A speed dating event, hosted by local Sam, is set to come to Kingston for the first time next month.

S1ngle speed dating will take place at the Gazebo pub on Wednesday, 15 April from 6.30pm – 9pm.

Speaking about why she started S1ngle, founder Sam told Nub News: "I started S1ngle in October 2025 after attending poorly organised dating events and losing hope on dating apps. There was a gap in the market; people looking for sincere and lasting love. 

"The first event was in Guildford in October 2025, as expected it was a small turnout, but it worked in our favour, we had open conversation about the struggles of finding love and everybody felt relieved that, whilst it appears to be a lonely world, that we were all in the same boat.

"This gave me a new idea - that people were craving deep and meaningful conversations. Hence, I added a new segment to the Dating event 'Group Discussions'."

Sam has hosted three events so far and says that she chose to host an event in Kingston "due to the demographics, young professionals who are well spoken and seeking intentional dating."

She says she hopes to host one in Richmond soon. 

This will be S1ngle's first event in Kingston (Credit: S1ngle)

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S1ngle's events are hosted with a clear structure i.e. speed dating

There is no loud background music, so that people do not lose their voice and can have meaningful conversations.

They also focus on matchmaking "so that the shy folks who cannot exchange phone numbers at the event can let me know who they liked and I pair them up post event," Sam says.

The events also include 'Group Discussions', "where after Speed Dating we break out into smaller groups and discuss topics such as What women/men want? How to identify signals that somebody is romantically interested rather than just being friendly," she explained.

Speaking about the challenges of speed dating, Sam said: "Single people are somewhat shy or perhaps hesitant to attend Singles events, especially when going alone. People are tired of dating apps too, so now I just have to figure out how to encourage people to leave their home and come out.

"We want to create an awareness of our existence."

 Upcoming S1ngle events in the summer include Speed Friending and Speed Dating in Richmond Park, and a Day out to the beach.

Tickets to the Kingston event cost £15.36 and can be bought here. The age bracket is 26 – 44.