Councillors have updated Richmond borough’s community on plans scheduled to launch in March to increase night-time activity on high streets for the young and more elderly.
The new High Street Night Time Strategy, which was discussed at a community conversation, aims to keep neighbourhoods vibrant after 6pm and until 6am in Hampton Wick and Teddington.
Teddington will increase greenery, with the correct drainage, along Broad Street, add murals and promote famous people from the area and the goal is to start work in spring or early summer.
Hampton Wick will also add greenery, as well as improve the bus stops and create a piazza near Sigma Sport on the high street, with seating and tables to encourage new traders to open shops.
Residents and councillors have previously asked for community support for the post office and pubs, to keep them open and ensure the pubs will not be converted to residential properties.
Teddington ward councillor Phil Giesler said at the meeting: “Pubs are specifically protected. So, if pubs want to change use, there are various restrictions and the council does have some power, not so much with post offices.”
The conversation with the councillors and community was held at the Teddington Baptist Church and also streamed live online.
Attendees included residents, businesses and community organisations, who came to discuss ideas and initiatives that could help enhance the neighbourhoods.
Giesler, who is the Liberal Democrat lead member for Business and Growth on Richmond Council explained: “The goal is to cater to both young and more elderly with the focus on night-time workers, transport, services, culture and the night-time economy.
“It’s important to balance the interests of safety, employees and how they get to their place of work with specific bespoke guidance.”
Giesler attributed the low vacancy rate, which has stayed at 4%, to the success of Teddington’s successful Christmas events.
He added: “Hampton Wick historically has had more of a challenge with its proximity to Kingston but there are still some very good independents there. The Hampton Wick Association and Business group helps to coordinate that.”
Giesler said that small businesses could expect challenges, including the proposed increase to National Insurance and the reduction in the discount rate on business from 70% to 40% starting in April.
At the meeting, the public also asked the councillors to increase parking and address the variety of businesses along Teddington High Street.
A resident said: “The parking has become an issue along the High Street. Visitors have no alternative but come into the very few unrestricted parking areas. But for the residents of the High Street who do not have their own parking, it is a complete nightmare.”
Giesler said a review into spare space around the high street, possible parking flexibility for residents and a better zoning system was ongoing and would be released within the next month.
Another resident said Hampton Wick High Street was “becoming monocultural”.
She said: “We’ve got six hairdressers, at last count, I think we’re about to get our third nail bar.
“No one needs their nails done that much and it’s just getting worse. I don’t know if the council has any power whatsoever to overhaul this type of thing and create more diversity.”
Giesler said: “Nail bars need licensing. We are not really in the business to over plan what shops to allow or not allow on High Street. If the demand is there, shops will come in and if not, they will go.”
Feature image: Hampton Wick & South Teddington councillors Robin Brown, Jim Millard, Phil Giesler, Cathy Maher, Petra Fleming, Richard Baker and Charlie Englel (Credit: Kitt Garrett)
