Bouncing back from the national lockdown has been an almighty challenge for high streets.

The shutdown of all our many shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants and more left Richmond town centre eerily quiet for a good three months from March. It has been great to see a majority of them open again.

We reported numerous reopenings over the summer and were delighted by the positive reaction the stories received.

Richmond Nub News also runs a free business directory to give Richmond companies and professionals a free promotional boost. Currently, 63 businesses have signed up and you can join them here.

But there are still a few stores which remain shuttered - we hope for not much longer.

EF Medispa

This spa in The Quadrant opened in December 2017 as the company's fifth branch.

It provides a wide range of skincare, face and body treatments.

A message from Esther, Rudi and Violeta tells customers of their regret at the temporary closure due to the pandemic.

It says: "This is a decision that has not been taken lightly, but in the interest of the wellbeing of both staff and clients we feel we have no alternative.

"While the clinics are closed, we would encourage you to visit efmedispa.com for further updates and also visit efskin.com for any online purchases."

Flight Centre

Head of retail marketing Yvonne Hobden told Richmond Nub News in August how it spent lockdown "reimagining" its business model and ambitions to bounce back stronger than before.

Its aim was to reopen in September, but unfortunately this proved too soon.

We hope to be able to give you some positive news about Flight Centre in the future.

Elite Textile Care

The tailor has not fully reopened its shop on Kew Road.

But, similarly to Flight Centre, it called the pandemic a "period of adjustment and reinvention" and via its website it is offering a swap and sell service for your clothes.

A note in the window reads: "We appreciate these are extremely difficult times for all communities. As a local high street business we now ask you for your time and support so that we can continue to effectively operate for years to come while implementing sustainable services unique to Elite Textile Care.

"That includes cleaning, alteration and repair services for your products, whether home textiles, garments or accessories. We've taken it one step further and can now offer you an online retail platform to sell and exchange your unusued pieces, pre-loved, vintage and new pieces you may have in your homes and wardrobes.

"All you need to do is email us ([email protected]) with an explanation of what you require and we will prompt you, so that you may email across the deteails, finalise a quote and confirm where to send your pieces."

Thai Square

Nearby is the Richmond branch of restaurant Thai Square.

A note in the window says: "We are temporarily closed due to flooding. Reopen again very soon.

"Find our nearest branch at Thai Square, Putney Bridge, 2-4 Lower Richmond Road."

A contradictory picture is painted on its website which says the restaurant is "temporarily closed until further notice".

The Duke

The same note has remained in the front of this pub since lockdown began.

Dated March 17 and titled WE ARE CLOSED, it reads: "During the challenging trading conditions which are unfortunately impacting the hospitality business in a hugely negative way at the moment, we've sadly taken the difficult decision to close the Duke until further notice.

"We're sorry, and we'll miss you, and we hope to see you again on the other side. In the meantime, please look after yourselves and each other. Team Duke x."

(Ex-)Topshop

The future of the former Topshop and Topman store is most mysterious.

Topshop closed over the summer, and not long afterwards a notice appeared in the window, reading: "Apologies for the inconvenience. This store will be closed for two weeks while we carry out some works internally.

"We hope this will make your shopping experience more enjoyable when we return. See you all again on September 1."

When the owners missed this date, they scribbled the 1 out and replaced it with a 6. But then they missed the September 6 opening date too.

A new tenant does not need to submit a planning application if they are keeping the same planning status, ie if they are opening it as a new shop. And no recent applications have been made for 53-54 George St on the planning portal.

More than a month and a half after it aimed to open, there has been little progress, as the current photo shows.

Zizzi

The Italian restaurant chain, like many others, was badly affected by the Covid-19 shutdown.

Parent company The Azzurri Group has said it will shut 75 Zizzi and Ask Italian restaurants across the UK as part of a restructuring move.

It does not look promising for our local branches either as both the Richmond and Twickenham sections on the Zizzi website have disappeared.

Saffron

This gorgeous Persian restaurant is on a corner in The Square in the town centre.

A note in both the window and website reads: "Dear customers, following government advice regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and our growing concern for the health and safety of our customers and staff, we will be closed until further notice. Saffron management."

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