Richmond Nub News is taking a look back at some of the stories we reported this week.

The biggest news was almost certainly the impending closure of department store House of Fraser, arguably the main draw for Richmond's shopping scene.

We then reported how the building's owners plan to build a new fourth floor extension and repurpose it as office, retail and leisure space.

In case you missed them, these are a few of our top stories of the week. Click the inline links to read the full report.

House of Fraser closure

The sudden appearance of signs offering 20% discounts and notice of the store's closure in September will have come as a surprise to many shoppers.

When retail magnate Mike Ashley took over the struggling chain two summers ago, Richmond was not among the 31 stores earmarked for closure.

But now a new plan for the building has emerged.

The Canadian & Portland Estate (Holdings) ltd group have approval in principle from Richmond Council for their proposal.

Rainbow crossings

Eye-catching rainbow crossings have been installed by Richmond Station and Twickenham's King Street in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

It promopted an outpouring of delight and Richmond Council won praise for installing them.

Some people questioned whether it was a sensible use of funds. Either way, the crossings generated a huge reaction on social media.

Private security guards

Another story which sparked a considerable amount of debate.

Private security staff were seen "harassing" shoppers in Richmond town centre.

As a response, Richmond residents were told that private contractors must remain on private property.

It is understood that the contractors were hired in response to crime and anti-social behaviour on Richmond Green.

In a constructive development, Sainsbury's Local near Richmond Station agreed to stop selling alcohol past 9pm.

Richmond Orchestra practises again

After four months apart, the musicians assembled in the Landmark Arts Centre to perform Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.

There was just one drawback.

Due to government guidelines, only the orchestra's string section were able to play.

"If you're a musician, what you enjoy is the feeling of making music together," the group's chair Hugh Rogers said.

Youth unemployment trebles

The number of young people in Richmond claiming unemployment benefits has trebled in the lockdown.

Claimants of universal credit or jobseeker's allowance aged 18-24 doubled across the UK in the last three months, an investigation found.

This mean Richmond's youth were more badly hit in jobs-terms by the coronavirus pandemic than the national average, even though the picture is far worse in many parts of the country.

Cllr Penny Frost writes for us

Penny is Liberal Democrat councillor for Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside ward and chair of the Education and Children's Services Committee on Richmond Council.

She gave an overview of the education landscape in a piece for us.

It touched upon how schools will be offering 'blended' learning from September, the struggle to get enough laptops to families in need and why parents in her ward are reporting positive feedback.

Lidl's opening plans

The supermarket giant gave Richmond Nub News an insight into its vision for its new Richmond Road store.

It will be opening at some point this autumn.

The first and second floors above Lidl will be occupied by Outstanding-rated Deer Park School, which is relocating from opposite Old Deer Park for the 2020/21 academic year.

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