A south-west London neighborhood could be transformed with a new concert venue, street art, later opening hours for businesses and attractions such as a community piano. Richmond Council is to adopt its first night strategy to improve the borough for residents, visitors and workers.
The strategy sets out ways to transform Richmond between 6pm and 6am, with a particular focus on improving conditions for night workers, public transport and safety. It also puts forward proposals to build on the borough’s musical heritage, support later opening hours and offer affordable evening activities and events to meet everyone’s needs.
The council’s policy committee has been asked by officers to approve the final version of the night strategy on January 20, which was drawn up following consultation with residents and businesses. The strategy reads: “The way we spend night time in Richmond is changing due to a range of factors – from the high cost of living and fears around safety, to a decline in alcohol consumption and the rise of online shopping.
“We need to learn how to adapt to ensure that the environment and services provided at night are what people want and need, take steps to improve safety so that everyone feels safe using them. In a challenging and uncertain economic environment where support for high streets and town centers is more important than ever, it is important that the Council strives to balance the needs of all users of public spaces at night while ensuring that our business and local centers remain vibrant.”
The strategy recommends increasing police presence in crime hotspots, offering bystander and self-defense training and providing free USB charging points in city centers to improve safety. It proposes introducing a youth space that opens late, mapping out all available outdoor space and installing low-cost attractions such as a communal piano and ping-pong tables.
The document outlines plans to use green spaces for evening activities such as PE classes and outdoor cinema, consider going to more streets, revamp “scary alleyways” and install a street art wall for young people. It proposes introducing accessible toilets that stay open at night, extra seating and more seasonal and night markets.
Richmond’s musical heritage is also part of the strategy as the borough is home to Eel Pie Island, where The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, The Who and Pink Floyd found their first mainstream audiences. The council wants to brand the borough as an “exciting music destination” by supporting the opening of a new medium-sized concert venue, hosting cultural events at night and encouraging more performances in existing venues.
Working with businesses to introduce evening deals and shopping events is another recommendation in the strategy, along with helping venues experiment with later opening hours. It also proposes improving public transport by overhauling night bus and train services and making isolated transport hubs feel safer with art, lighting, charging points and Wi-Fi.
Lib Dem councilor Phil Giesler said in the report that the strategy aims to make Richmond “a more welcoming and inclusive place to live, work and visit between 6pm and 6am”. He said: “From families, disabled people, young and old members of the community, we want there to be something for everyone to do at night, including affordable and healthy ventures that are evolving on high streets as their purpose changes in modern times. I are excited to use this ground-breaking work to inspire the creation of a more engaging nighttime experience for everyone.”
If the committee approves the strategy, the council will draw up an action plan and work with partners including the Met Police, Transport for London (TfL), businesses and community groups to take the recommendations forward. It will also consider the strategy when making decisions on planning, highways, safety and licensing.
Do you have a story? Email charlotte.lillywhite@reachplc.com
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