HemingwayDesign has been working with the London Borough of Richmond, alongside collaborators including Untitled Practice and Urban Movement, to develop a Vision and Activation Plan for Richmond town centre.
Richmond is fortunate in its riverside setting, heritage, cultural life, and community strength. But like town centres across the UK, it faces challenges: from changing shopping patterns and affordability, to attracting younger audiences and ensuring inclusivity.
The Richmond Town Centre Vision responds to these issues and defines what the town can become over the next 5, 10 and 15+ years.
It is anchored by three Place-shaping Pillars:
Global City Energy Meets Market Town Charm
Richmond is a town of striking contrasts, where the charm of a market town meets the vibrancy of a global city. It offers the serenity of the countryside within the bustling energy of London. Richmond’s distinctive blend of green spaces, historic architecture, and the Lanes converge with a thriving technology scene to create a sense of cultural vitality. A hub for arts, independent retail, and creative spaces, Richmond fosters talent, celebrates its heritage, and inspires all who visit. Through dynamic cultural programming, partnerships, and a strong support for local businesses, Richmond promises a balanced, engaging experience for all.
Space to Breathe: Escapism, Exploration & Enrichment
Richmond is a welcoming escape from the fast-paced London, offering relaxation, exploration, and enrichment through its blend of riverside views, green spaces, and cultural activities that merge leisure, nature, and heritage. Richmond balances an inviting, high-quality charm with inclusivity, fostering spaces for all ages and backgrounds. From parks to entrepreneurial ventures, it creates opportunities for youth, encourages wellness, and promotes community through arts, sports, and cultural experiences, leaving visitors inspired and connected. Richmond’s atmosphere encourages new adventures, learning, and lasting memories in a peaceful yet vibrant setting.
Natural Leaders: Champions of Environmental Action & Social Value
Richmond upon Thames is committed to being London’s greenest borough, inspired by its natural surroundings, from Royal parks to the Thames. As a ‘natural leader,’ it embodies bold, proactive environmental stewardship, promoting biodiversity, health, and sustainable living. The town is dedicated to prioritising people over traffic and sustainability over convenience, setting ambitious goals to address climate action, traffic, and air quality. Richmond seeks to lead by example with innovative, people-centred solutions, strong community engagement, and partnerships. It embraces change and pushes boundaries, positioning itself as a model for environmental action and social value, both locally and across London.
The Vision sets direction and identity, ensuring decisions made today support a vibrant, engaging, and welcoming Richmond for the future. Read the full Vision here.
Where the Vision defines long-term ambition, rooted in Richmond’s values and identity, the Activation Plan sets out what can be done now and next to bring that ambition to life on the ground.
Currently in development, the plan identifies projects and initiatives designed to support more inclusive and welcoming public spaces, improve access and connectivity across the town centre, diversify how high street and riverside spaces are used, better serve younger people and families while attracting broader audiences, and strengthen Richmond’s identity as both a local town and a wider destination.
The Plan brings together short, medium, and long-term interventions: from quick wins such as wayfinding improvements and cultural programming, to long-term shifts like rethinking movement strategies, repurposing buildings for cultural and community uses, and major public realm projects.
Every proposed intervention is being measured against Richmond’s Place-shaping Pillars – ensuring actions reflect the town’s identity and ambition.
Richmond are already beginning to put their Town Centre Vision and Activation Plan into action. One of the first steps was Centre Stage Richmond – a free new multi-arts festival that reclaims George Street and Whittaker Square as a platform for creativity, community and culture.
Curated and produced by HemingwayDesign for Richmond Council, Centre Stage transformed the town centre into a stage, canvas, and playground, alive with music, theatre, food, art, and public participation.
Centre Stage demonstrates how the Vision translates into lived experience – turning streets into spaces for connection, creativity, and collective enjoyment.
