The former Army & Navy store, rotting away on the west side of Kingston Market Place since 1987, is being demolished at last to make way for the long-delayed Charter Quay riverside complex.

But what of its magnificent listed oak staircase, hand-carved in the 17th century when this was the site of the Castle Inn? Royals, nobles and celebrities galore have walked up the staircase that once graced Kingston's historic Castle Inn in the Market Place, and was later incorporated into the department store known variously through the generations as Shrubsoles, Hides, Chiesmans and Army & Navy.

And what of its much-loved stained glass window?

A spokesman for St George, the Twickenham-based developers of Charter Quay, says they have been safely removed and sent to a specialist firm of restorers in Swindon. The staircase will eventually be put into one of the shops to be built fronting Kingston Market Place. The future location of the stained glass has yet to be decided.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.