A pretty South West London 'village' on a hill has been described as a rare spot in the capital loved by families, but concerns have been raised it misses out on visitors.

Richmond Hill is home to a tight-knit community of local residents and independent businesses, tucked away from Richmond High Street, with a popular viewpoint over the River Thames.

Residents and traders at the top of Richmond Hill on Friars Stile Road told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it is an ideal spot for independent shops, while the high street is dominated by chains who can afford the higher rents and business rates.

Pauline Lee, from Curtain Call is concerned about the lack of parking on Friar Styles Road. (Photo Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite).

Pauline Lee, 66, described the area as a "little enclave of houses and shops" known as Richmond Village, with Richmond Park on its doorstep.

Ms Lee is the creative director of family-run business Curtain Call on Friars Stile Road, where she has worked for 26 years, and said Richmond Hill is a "good place for independent businesses" – with many that have also been there for a long time and run by families. 

By contrast, she warned, "on the high street only the chains can afford to pay the rent and the rates".

But Ms Lee said she felt Richmond Council did not treat the area as part of the rest of Richmond, with the Christmas lights tending to "stop halfway up Richmond Hill".

She said: "We do feel like we miss out on signage and all the Christmas lights and everything like that.

"All the other businesses, as you come up the hill, I think they're signposted in the town. Nothing sends people down here, all the shops and things."

She said many visitors "don't even know there's shops down here", adding: "I think people who know need to come here.

"But people wouldn't be walking up the hill off to Richmond Park or the lovely view [over the Thames] and suddenly think: 'Oh, it says Richmond Village or Richmond local shops are up here.'"

Ms Lee also raised concerns about a lack of parking on Friars Stile Road which, she said, only has five spaces for cars. She said: "Even for the people in the town centre there are car parks.

"There aren't any car parks around here. We have to pay for business parking permits for our cars that cost us a fortune, just so that we can park locally to come to work."

Hamid, who did not wish to give his surname, has lived in the area for the past 15 years and said it is "family-orientated" with a tight-knit community.

He said: "It's a lovely village, it's very important. I've seen people who have got married, they've got pregnant and then have their kids going to the school. It's just that sort of area, which is very rare to find in London."

Hamid said "all the chains" are on the high street, while people coming to Richmond Hill find an array of independent businesses.

He said the area is busy, especially on the weekends when the weather is nice. 

He continued: "It's a nice spot to go and walk around and enjoy the view, enjoy a pint or a glass of wine."

Marianna Kormos, who works at Richmond Hill Bakery said the local businesses are like a little family. (Photo Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite).

The area was also praised by Marianna Kormos, 40, who works at Richmond Hill Bakery on Friars Stile Road and told the LDRS its local businesses are "like a little family".

Ella Templeman also works at the bakery and said: "It's very communal. Everyone knows everyone which is really nice."

The 20-year-old added: "It's just nice to look at. It's very authentic and the people here are lovely as well."

Richmond Council has been contacted for comment.