The Surrey Comet is celebrating after its year-long Save our Magistrates Court campaign succeeded in preventing the closure of Kingston’s ancient court.

Yvette Cooper, Minister for the Lord Chamberlain’s Department, annnounced in the House of Commons that the court would stay open – unlike many other courts across London.

From the start the Greater London Magistrates Court Authority made it clear that it intended to close the building despite public outrage and persuasive arguments for its retention.

The Comet, part of Newsquest’s London division, stepped in to co-ordinate opposition – explaining clearly why the court must be saved, publishing posters, helping to arrange a public protest meeting and collecting a 1,500 signature petition from police, politicians, lawyers, local businesses and others.

Over the past year the paper has constantly harried the authorities and refused to give up the fight even when the authority announced it was definitely going ahead with the closure.

Comet editor Sean Duggan said: “When we started this campaign many people thought we were wasting our time.

“But the strength of opposition in Kingston, and the fact that the case for closure was full of holes, meant we would have been neglecting our duty as a local paper if we did not take on the GLMCA.

“Victory is sweet, particularly when it means that local justice will continue to be administered in the Royal borough.”

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