Dining under the stars at Church Street (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Dining under the stars at Church Street

10:41am Friday 22nd August 2003 in

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A SUMMER of wining and dining under the stars is being received with ‘‘rapturous acclaim’’ down Twickenham’s ancient Church Street. The organisers claim that up to 400 visitors a night have been attracted to the town’s picturesque former high street since evening traffic has been banned.

Now the town centre management team and Church Street Association plan to extend the al fresco scheme to the end of September and are crossing their fingers for continued public demand - and fine weather.

John Austin, interim town centre manager, said: ‘‘Church Street has been transformed from a glorified car park to a haven of peace for families to stroll and enjoy the balmy summer evenings.’’ Under the scheme, barriers at each end of the 18th century thoroughfare have been closed to traffic until midnight since mid June.

From 6pm the street turns into a piazza with strollers and drinkers from the street’s two pubs mingling with people dining at tables and chairs set out and served by staff from the seven restaurants.

‘‘We have handed out more than 1,000 questionnaires and the response has been phenomenally positive,’’ enthused Mr Austin who estimated visitor numbers into the ‘‘thousands’’ with around 300-400 each night.

He attributed the outdoor success to the summer weather and lack of anywhere else to go out. ‘‘Also Church Street’s restaurants and pubs have gone out of their way to make people welcome.

‘‘It undoubtedly brings more people and business to Twickenham and talking to a number of residents, it has been clear that a great many have taken the opportunity to eat out who would not do so otherwise.

‘‘The scheme has stimulated trade which didn’t exist. Now we want to know what the public thinks about extending it - and that includes any criticism. Consultation letters to the streets traders and residents went out last weekend.’’ The initiative, abandoned last year because of bad weather, was generated and is managed by the town centre manager and the Church Street Association who close the street at their discretion.

Chairman of the Church Street Association Bruce Lyons added: ‘‘The numbers rise when footfall is taken into account - people who walk down the street and see their friends eating.

‘‘And in terms of traders not open at night, the evening opening has brought increased interest to Church Street - the French market attracted 4,000 people over three days and people now know where Church Street is.’’ Mr Austin admitted to initial teething problems for residents, surrounding late night drinking, access and parking, but insisted: ‘‘To a great extent these have been resolved and are now firmly contained.

‘‘Restaurants and pubs are taking their responsibilities seriously to ensure that residents are not unduly inconvenienced. Management of the scheme is carried out entirely by the CSA. Residents and traders are responsible for clearing up afterwards and people have commented that the street is cleaner in the morning. Usually Church Street is a fox haven overnight.’’ He also countered complaints from eating and drinking establishments in neighbouring York Street and King Street that the initiative is stealing their trade, saying: ‘‘People don’t want to sit indoors in good weather.’’ Looking to the future, Mr Lyons, owner of Crusader Travel, said: ‘‘I started here 38 years ago. I have seen Church Street go from a condemned site earmarked for demolition, through the recession in the mid 1980s to the jewel in the crown of Twickenham.

“That will only continue if people can afford the rent and rates and so we plan special events such as this - as long as they are a certain level of quality.

‘‘Nothing’s perfect for everyone, but there is not another street in the borough where you can do this. I want to make Church Street the Beauchamp Place of Richmond upon Thames. A place to chat and stroll the way the Italians do.’’ Comments on the al fresco scheme can be sent to the CSA via Crusader Travel.