Richmond no longer has the highest rate of Covid-19 in the capital, but is still reporting a high weekly rate.

Data for the seven days to Friday, October 9 show our borough has a rate of 117.7 cases per 100,000 people, up from 96 the week before.

It is now behind Ealing, which has a rate of 118.8 cases per 100,000 people.

Redbridge, Hackney and the City of London also have rates of more than 100 cases per 100,000.

Nottingham continues to have the highest rate in England, with 2,777 new cases recorded in the seven days to October 9 – the equivalent of 834.2 cases per 100,000 people.

Potential for further curbs

Richmond and the rest of the capital are currently under 'Tier 1' measures in the government's latest system – which means no new restrictions have been put in place.

But it is thought more restrictions could be coming soon.

A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Londoners should understand that this could change very quickly – potentially even this week."

Tier 2 restrictions – also named 'high' – would additionally ban households mixing indoors.

Mr Khan told presenter LBC that London will move into Tier 2 as soon as its average hits 100 cases per 100,000 – which could be this week.

A city-wide approach was welcomed by the leader of Richmond Council Gareth Roberts, who said it was crucial to keeping a clear message to Londoners.

"You can't have different restrictions for Kingston, for example, than you would have for Hounslow, or different rules for Merton to those for Richmond, particularly with the impositions on the hospitality industry for example."

This is because people could easily travel over borough borders for a night out, he said.

Hospitality industry challenges

But Mr Roberts added: "Unless there is financial support it's going to have a real impact on local businesses, it's going to be very difficult for small pubs to police."

Richmond resident Peter Willan, who has been involved in licensing and the evening economy in the borough for many years, said the current restrictions have already caused the closure of some premises and a "substantial reduction in turnover" across the town.

He also believes that government help to support outdoors sales and pavement trading "is unlikely to provide much overall support as the weather deteriorates and darker evenings set in."

"Continuation of the current restrictions until spring next year and additional restrictions the government may impose can only but accelerate the permanent demise of Richmond's hospitality sector," he warned.

"Restrictions need to be based on evidence of their effectiveness and be tailored in a timely manner by delegation of powers to the local authorities (council, police, etc) to meet the town's needs over the next few months; they need recognise people's common sense and responsibilities while protecting the vulnerable, people's social needs and jobs and business viability."

He also said retail was "seriously at risk" in the town centre, and that the loss of independent smaller businesses could harm Richmond's historic character.