A south west London borough will push ahead with plans to become an 'exciting music destination' and hold events for young people, after reviewing its night-time offer.

Richmond Council has adopted its first night-time strategy to improve the borough for residents, visitors and workers – with proposals including opening a new concert venue, installing attractions like a community piano and building a street art wall.

The strategy puts forward proposals to transform Richmond between 6pm and 6am, with a particular focus on providing activities and events for young people, safe environments, improved conditions for night workers and better public transport.

It also includes plans to build on the borough's musical heritage and support later opening times for businesses.

The council's policy and resources committee approved the final version of the strategy on 20 January, which was put together after consultation with residents and businesses.

Green councillor Caroline Wren praised the strategy's focus on young people, as she raised concerns about the lack of youth services in the borough.

She said: "We will continue to feel as though our young people haven't got anywhere to go and need to gather in dark places which, apparently, is ominous to some of our residents.

"Young people need places to go and it's great to hear that that has come through in this paper."

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Lib Dem councillor Phil Giesler said in a report the strategy aims to make Richmond 'a more welcoming and inclusive place to live, work and visit between 6pm and 6am'.

He wrote: "The launch of this strategy is significant as it sheds light on the importance of thriving, safe and fun places at night, to help people in Richmond to enjoy themselves whoever they are and whatever their interests may be, supporting businesses to benefit from the evening/night-time economy but also managing the impacts that might result.

"Moving beyond eating and drinking, the strategy encourages a range of uses and events, with a particular focus on building on the music heritage of the borough and providing activities for young people.

"Through our extensive consultation, it has become clear that many young people feel excluded from the borough's night-time offer, and I hope this strategy sparks the borough's businesses and organisations to do more to inspire and entertain our youth."

The strategy outlines plans to use green spaces for evening activities like sports classes and outdoor cinema, consider pedestrianising more streets, revamp 'intimidating alleyways' and install a street art wall for young people.

Richmond to become an 'exciting music destination' and do more for 'excluded' young people (credit: Cesar Medina).

It proposes introducing accessible toilets which stay open at night, extra seating and more seasonal and night markets.

The document also recommends increasing police presence in crime hotspots, offering bystander and self-defence training and providing free USB charging points in town centres to improve safety.

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It suggests introducing a late-opening youth space, mapping out all free outdoor spaces and installing cheap attractions like a community piano and ping pong tables.

Richmond's musical heritage features in 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 regular audiences.

The council wants to brand the borough an 'exciting music destination' by supporting the opening of a new medium-sized concert venue, holding 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 to experiment with later opening times.

It also suggests improving public transport by reviewing night bus and train services and making isolated transport hubs feel safer with art, lighting, charging points and Wi-Fi.

The council will now put together 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 planning, highways, safety and licensing decisions.

Councillor Giesler, in the report, added: "From families, disabled people, young and old members of the community, we want there to be something to do for everyone at night, including affordable and healthy ventures evolving the high streets as their purpose changes in modern times.

"I am excited to use this groundbreaking work to inspire the creation of a more engaging night-time experience for all."

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