Locating your business

Richmond upon Thames is ideally situated with easy access to central London and the rest of the UK, has a highly skilled workforce, and possesses an enviable natural environment.  

Economy

The borough is has a diverse, resilient economy and is highly entrepreneurial, characterised by a high proportion of micro-businesses and self-employed residents.  The borough has one of the highest business survival rates in London and some of the lowest insolvency and bankruptcy rates in the country. Two thirds of businesses responding to our 2015 Business Survey expected to grow in the next 2-3 years.

Transport links

The borough is extremely well connected.  By road there is excellent access to central London, the main motorway network (M3 and M25), and to Heathrow Airport. Mainline train stations connect the borough to central London in 15-20 minutes, and to the rest of the country.

Towns and villages

Our major town centre is Richmond, with district town centres of Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton and East Sheen. Smaller local centres provide a large range of independent shops and services, each with their own character and sense of community. There is an active network of business and traders’ associations that help ensure our centres remain attractive and lively. Each area has something different to offer – you can find key facts below.

Richmond

• The largest centre in the borough and a 'major centre’ within the London Plan
• Established up-market shopping and leisure destination appealing to local and sub-regional catchment
• Strong cultural offer and delightful riverside
• Property offer: A wide range of retail units, including boutique-style premises, and a number of business parks in close proximity; varied office space including Grade A, and two serviced office centres offered by Regus and MWB

Twickenham

• Largest of the borough’s four district centres and the second largest shopping area in the borough
• An established Business Improvement District, contributing to the town’s development and growth
• The focus of large-scale physical improvements in its streetscape and riverside
• The home of English Rugby and the Rugby Football Union, attracting particularly high footfall on event days
• Property offer: A good range of retail units and office provision and a number of business parks in close proximity

Teddington

• A thriving district centre with good transport links to the motorway networks and Heathrow Airport
• Established cluster of scientific and technical businesses and a range of creative industry businesses
• Property offer: Mainly small, independent retail units, office space and a number of business parks close by

Whitton

• Third largest district centre in the borough, served by one of London’s most complete examples of a 1930s high street, the character of which has been enhanced in recent years
• Well served by public transport, easy access to motorways, Heathrow Airport and other town and district centres
• Property offer: A good range of mainly smaller retail units appealing to a local catchment, office space and close to a number of business parks

East Sheen

• Close to Richmond Park
• A well established district centre served by Mortlake Train Station
• A good range of other high street services and office units
• Property offer: With a good range of retail, including many independent shops and generally small office developments around the centre

Mortlake

• An elegant riverside area popular with international and creative companies within the architectural and IT sectors
• Home to several industrial works and close to business parks
• Property offer: A range of retails units and office space, attractive to creative industries and business services; state of the art premises throughout the area

Barnes

• Good transport connections into and out of London yet retaining semi-rural village charm
• Home to WWT London Wetlands Centre, a major tourist attraction
• Property offer: A good range of retail units across discrete town centre areas, with a number of office and industrial sites are located in the vicinity

The Hamptons

• A suburban area, centred on Hampton Wick, Hampton Nurserylands, Hampton Hill and Hampton
• Good transport links with convenient access to the main motorways and Heathrow Airport
• Lower rental values in comparison to other larger centres
• Property offer – a range of industrial sites and business parks through to retail units and office space in local centres and neighbourhood parades

Kew

• Home to the 300 acre leading botanical research centre, Kew Gardens, and to the National Archives
• Village feel throughout, with a mixture of independent retailers, numerous cafes and several restaurants
• Good rail services, served by London Overground and the Tube
• Property Offer: Kew Retail Park is home to a range of fashion and lifestyle shops with plenty of parking, complemented by some delightful local parades

St Margarets

• An affluent area with a strong village feel and a thriving business community.
• Attractive selection of galleries, specialist and independent shops, restaurants and bars.
• Home to Twickenham Studios TW1, bringing a rich entertainment heritage to the neighbourhood.
• Property offer: A broad range of retail units and office space, including pop up office space housed alongside retail units, and close by to a number of business parks