One of Portsmouth’s better-known entertainment figures has thrown his weight behind the city’s bid to be named UK City of Culture, citing long-standing community ties and the city’s seafront setting as reasons to champion the campaign.
Local roots and an entertainment career
Steve Kingsley, who established and ran a string of hospitality and music venues in Portsmouth, told a local campaign profile that the people of the city and memories of raising a family there make the place special.
“I’ve been in the entertainment business for a long time and have enjoyed every single minute of it because the people of Portsmouth make it easy. It’s been a pleasure to do it.”
Kingsley’s public profile stems from several decades working in music and nightlife in and around Southsea and the wider city. His nightclub, Kingsley’s, opened in 2008 on Osborne Road and operated until it closed in 2022. He previously ran Buddies at the Pyramids for 13 years and was involved with other venues along the seafront.
What he says about Portsmouth
For Kingsley, the appeal of the city is both social and geographical. He highlighted the community atmosphere that his work exposed him to and recalled family life framed by the seafront and nearby countryside. Summing up the city in three words, he offered: “A lovely place.”
He also described the everyday rewards of performing and promoting nights out across the city, saying that interacting with locals meant the work never felt like a chore. The profile notes his long-standing DJ career — beginning when he was 25 — and his appearances at well-known Portsmouth spots.
Venues and roles
Kingsley’s experience in the city’s entertainment scene is varied, from DJ residencies to running bars and restaurants. The profile highlights the following positions and locations associated with his career:
- Founder and operator of Kingsley’s nightclub (Osborne Road) — founded 2008, closed 2022
- Operator of Carter and Co (formerly Italian Bar and Grill, Great Southsea)
- Operator of Buddies at the Pyramids for 13 years
- DJ at venues including Nero's, Honkey Tonk Bar, Hoddy's and South Parade Pier
- Host of popular afternoon tea dances
| Role | Location / Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nightclub founder | Kingsley’s, Osborne Road | Opened 2008; closed 2022 |
| Restaurateur | Carter and Co (Great Southsea) | Previously Italian Bar and Grill |
| Club operator | Buddies, The Pyramids | Operated for 13 years |
Why the bid matters locally
Portsmouth’s bid for City of Culture seeks to harness local creativity and community assets. Endorsements from people embedded in the city’s cultural life — such as Kingsley — underscore how residents and local businesses perceive the value of such a designation.
For hospitality and entertainment operators in Portsmouth, national recognition can increase footfall, profile local artists and provide funding opportunities for cultural projects. Kingsley’s testimony about fondness for the city and its people contributes to a narrative emphasising community spirit and lived experience as part of the bid’s appeal.
While the profile is a personal endorsement rather than a comprehensive analysis of the bid, it reflects the kind of local support that campaigners say is crucial in demonstrating grassroots enthusiasm to adjudicators.
As the bid progresses, similar testimonials from a cross-section of residents — from artists and venue operators to families who make use of public spaces — will be watched closely by local campaigners seeking to present Portsmouth as a place where culture is both produced and lived.
