Surbiton Adult Education (KAE) has secured vital funding for a new printing press, which will be housed at the Surbiton Annex at Surbiton Library on Ewell Road. The allocation of £1,382.82 from the Councillor Ward Funding, as outlined in the Annex 1 - Councillor Ward Funding Guidelines 2025-26, marks a significant investment in the institution's creative offerings.
KAE, a cornerstone of the community for over 75 years, anticipates that the new equipment will empower learners to explore innovative techniques and produce enhanced quality artwork. Specifically, the press will enable students to experiment with textures, layers and inks,
allowing them to explore new printing techniques and achieve higher-quality results.
The printing press is projected to benefit seventeen art courses, potentially supporting 230 enrolments. This is anticipated to generate approximately £65,000 for the council. Furthermore, the development of a specialized print course could attract an additional 48 enrolments, potentially bringing in a further £13,500, thus enriching the educational landscape for local residents.
The meeting information suggests that the press will enable learners from all over the borough (and wider) to learn new techniques,
indicating potential accessibility beyond just KAE learners, though specific plans for wider community access have not yet been detailed.
This acquisition was discussed as part of the Public reports pack Tuesday 17-Mar-2026 19.30 Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee, and the decisions made can be found in the Decisions Tuesday 17-Mar-2026 19.30 Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee.