HemingwayDesign are working with the London Borough of Richmond to start turning Richmond’s Town Centre Vision and Activation Plan into reality. Centre Stage Richmond is one of the very first steps in putting that plan into action.
On Saturday 13 September 2025, George Street and Whittaker Square were transformed into a stage, canvas and playground for community, creativity and culture. Curated and produced by HemingwayDesign in collaboration with Richmond Council, Centre Stage filled the heart of the town with live music, theatre, performance, art, workshops and markets.
The programme celebrated Richmond’s rich — and often untold — musical heritage, inspired by Gilles Peterson’s legendary Belvedere Arms parties. Audiences enjoyed genre-spanning sets from Femi Koleoso (Ezra Collective), whose headline set brought an explosive blend of jazz, Afrobeat and UK Garage; Joe Davis (Far Out Recordings), revisiting samba, soul and disco from the iconic Jazz Juice era; and Hillarynx, a South London-based artist with a velvety neo-soul sound. A Youth Music Showcase curated by BandIt (Richmond Music Trust) and Basement Door gave a platform to emerging local talent, culminating in a homecoming finale from glam-tinged local indie band Gingerella.
Richmond’s streets became a stage for theatre, performance and skate culture. Orange Tree Theatre presented a promenade-style Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland unfolding across George Street, while Kinetika Bloco and Combination Dance led processions and interactive workshops that invited people to join in.
Drift Tricks skateable sculptures, created by British Palestinian artist Dani Abulhawa, Bedir Bekar and PRIMEdesign, a collective of young skateboarders, invited play and performance throughout the day, supported by drop-in workshops for all ages.
Creative workshops encouraged hands-on participation for all ages, from banner-making and crafting giant puppets to seed-bombing. Collaborative painting and print-making helped transform the streets, embodying the Vision’s spirit of inclusivity and co-creation.
Curated markets featured local independent designers and makers, while Charity Super.Mkt added a sustainable element with pre-loved garments supporting social and environmental causes.
As the first major activation of the Richmond Town Centre Vision, Centre Stage showed how public spaces can foster community and connection. The festival attracted 22,000 attendees, increased footfall by 30%, and boosted local businesses, with hospitality up 20-45%, retail up 10-30%, and the Museum of Richmond seeing its highest visitor numbers.
Recognising Centre Stage Richmond as a success, Richmond Council are actively exploring ongoing partnerships and sustainable funding models to ensure its continued growth and lasting impact.
