Residents of Richmond upon Thames are invited to have their say on community issues, the future of their high streets and town centres, and share their ideas on local priorities following the pandemic ina series of virtualcommunity engagementevents.

Community Conversation events are run virtually and there are several dates next month to put in your diaries.

Supporting local shops, pubs and restaurants, and other venues and businesses is critical for economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, but so is creating a sense of place that connects local people to the area and makes it somewhere visitors keep returning to.

The Council wants to hear ideas that will help generate plans for the future.

The Community Conversation is a chance for ward councillors to hear what matters most to residents and local businesses and share ideas about the future of local areas.

Over the past few years, events have been held in every area across the borough and during the COVID-19 pandemic the events moved online, with over 1,200 people joining to discuss issues such as impact of coronavirus, community safety, environmental issues and education.

Due to ongoing uncertainty around restriction on public gatherings, the Council will host the next round of community engagementevents online using Zoom. Those who wish to attendtheir local event,canregisterhere. Once registered, attendees will be sent a personal link to join the event.

Cllr Michael Wilson, Lead Member for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector said: "As we begin to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, our high streets will play a key role in the borough's recovery. The Council will be making some key decisions over the next few months relating to our town centre and we want to do this itin partnershipwith the community.

"During these events we will be exploring how you want to use your local high street or town centre: how you move around the area, how you socialise there, how it supports your health and wellbeing and the role it plays in your community.

"We want residents and businesses to have the ability to help shape the future of their local areas and the community conversation events will give residents and businesses the opportunity to discuss and share their ideas. I would encourage all residents and businesses to register for their local event and join us to share their ideas for the future of their high streets."

Residents and businessescansign up to attendand event in their local area here.

The list of upcoming Twickenham events is below: