Context

Richmond today

Richmond is an outer London borough in South West London. It has a population of 199,157 and covers an area of over 5000 hectares. 57% of the borough is open space¹, with 21 miles of river frontage and it is the only borough to span both sides of the River Thames.

Richmond has:

• 12 libraries
• 130 parks & open spaces managed by LBRUT
• 64 playgrounds in sites managed by LBRUT
• 6 sport & fitness centres and 11 public tennis court sites managed by LBRUT
• 12 outdoor fitness sites
• 8 accredited museums and; heritage sites
• 6 theatres and arts centres²
• The largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world - Twickenham Stadium

For full contextual picture of the borough please visit DataRich.

Engagement and investment in culture

• 1,074,655 physical items borrowed from libraries during 19/20
• 199,817 e-library items borrowed from libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 20-March 21)
• 1,164,487 attendances at sports facilities in 19/20
• 67.7% of young people aged 5 - 16 physically active³
• 62,535 bookings for sports facilities & tennis courts within LBRUT parks during 20/21
• 31,485 visits to Orleans House Gallery in 19/20
• 400+ voluntary cultural organisations
• 100+ community events in parks annually
• 23,000 bike journeys per day⁴
• £8,828,400 total annual spend on LBRUT cultural services 19/20

SWOT analysis

Strengths

• Physical resources & natural environment - open space & river
• Rich heritage & history
• Active & engaged population with highest adult employment rate in London⁵
• High percentage of children & young people physically active
• Existing cultural infrastructure and extensive voluntary sector
• Home to major international cultural attractions including Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Twickenham Stadium, Richmond and Bushy Parks

Weaknesses

• High cost of living and lack of affordable housing – leading to inequality⁶
• Under-developed professional arts sector
• Limited accessible and affordable spaces for arts and community use
• Diversity and inclusion in cultural sector
• Uncoordinated programming and marketing
• Public perception of the borough and reputation across London is limited
• Difficult for smaller organisations to benefit from tourism and reputation of major cultural attractions
• Securing external funding for culture

Opportunities

• How culture is created and consumed post COVID-19
• Embedding culture within key agendas – public health, economic development, the creative industries to help to meet outcomes
• Attracting national and international visitors to the borough
• Presenting the borough’s history and heritage in new ways
• Opportunity to benefit from pan London initiatives, partnerships and funding

Threats/challenges

• Climate Emergency
• COVID-19 recovery: economic and health and wellbeing
• Ageing population⁷
• Youth wellbeing and opportunity⁸
• Attracting new investment and jobs
• Proximity to central London – many residents can easily access services not available in the borough
• Uncertain funding landscape

Next: Vision