Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has proposed revamping its Brentford Gate ticket kiosk, which has been described as having "unhygienic and uncomfortable facilities" for staff.

Plans include establishing a "kit-of-parts" design, adaptable to various functional requirements.

Kew says the approach will create consistency across any future admissions buildings while reinforcing "identity and a sense of welcome".

The existing Brentford Gate entrance (credit: Planning application).

It will also provide simplicity in construction, with ease of maintenance and end-of-life dismantling.

The new admissions buildings are set back from Brentford Gate, creating an open space with views into the gardens and enhancing the arrival and queue experience for visitors.

Staff will have access at the back of the buildings and can enjoy better privacy during their breaks.

An artist impression of the proposed Brentford Gate entrance (credit: Planning application).

The kiosk's oversailing canopy shelters and shades visitors and staff alike, helping to control hot temperatures and keep people dry during sudden showers.

Features such as seating, bins, water fountains, and signage are incorporated within the design, helping to reduce the accumulation of clutter.

The World Heritage Site believes three of its gates no longer "meet the needs" of its visitors and that kiosks now look "tired".

The current kiosks at the Brentford Gate are described as 'tired' and 'outdated' (credit: Planning application).

In its planning documents, Kew Gardens said: "The admission kiosks at Brentford Gate, Lion Gate and Elizabeth Gate no longer fully meet the needs of our visitors and the business.

"The entrance does not create the best visual visitor welcome and sense that you have arrived at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a World Heritage site.

"The kiosks have become tired looking and outdated and are unable to create the full welcome service we would like to be giving upon arrival.

"The welfare facilities for staff within these kiosks are also of a low standard."

The current entrance creates a 'bottle neck' into the gardens (credit: Planning application).

As most of Kew's visitors arrive by car, they access the Brentford Gate, which is why it has decided to prioritise this entrance first as part of its long-term upgrades.

"Each gate is slightly different in size and nature and has different priorities," explained Kew Gardens.

"For instance, many of our visitors arriving by car will enter the gardens via Brentford Gate and therefore a higher proportion of visitors will have accessibility needs and may require one of our electric buggies or wheelchairs to assist with their visit.

"These can be picked up at any of our gates, but the highest proportion are stored at Brentford Gate.

"Brentford Gate will be the initial priority for a new admissions experience and will be the focus for the first delivery."

An artist impression of the proposed Brentford Gate kiosk (credit: Planning application).

Kew Gardens added: "The new Brentford Gate admissions building will provide visitors with a welcome experience suitable to a world-class cultural institution / UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"The upgrade to the facilities will increase the quality, accessibility and aesthetics of the entrance in line with, and exceeding, those of the main entrance at Victoria Gate (not part of the project)."

To read the full planning application click here.