A new raft of store closures is set to hit the centre of Richmond with the loss of H&M, alongside Whistles and Clark's shoes.

Nub News understands that H&M is due to pull down the shutters in March, while Whistles on Hill Street has closed and Clark's shoes is directing customers to other branches.

The H&M store is among a raft of 240 closures around the UK and in other countries triggered by a slump in shopping through bricks and mortar stores.

The crisis for town centres is largely being driven by landlords, who are pushing up rents beyond what many businesses, including apparently financially strong national chains, can afford.

The net effect is that Richmond is losing clothing and other stores, which risk making it a less attractive place to visit.

Among the other famous names to pull out in recent years are Gap, Uniqlo, Topshop, and Massimo Dutti, plus the House of Fraser store, which has been empty for two years.

Similar closures of fashion, shoes and other shops, plus a number of banks, have hit Twickenham, Teddington and other centres across the borough.

While Richmond is losing shops, there has been an influx of exciting high end restaurants, such as Scott's on the Riverside,

Peggy Jean, which operates from a boat, The Ivy, Brindisa and The Fat Badger.

Separately, there has been a huge turnover of coffee shops and cafes with a conveyor belt of closures and openings.

Be Richmond is the organisation of over 300 businesses in the centre of the town who are dedicated to attract people, retailers and others.

It told Nub News that it continues to take steps to improve Richmond, particularly ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period.

A spokesperson said: "While it is sad to hear of the possible loss of iconic brands from the Richmond town centre, the events of the past few years have highlighted the challenges for traditional clothing and footwear retailers and all national chain stores are critically assessing the size of their store portfolios. 

"As a result, High Streets and shopping destinations all over the country are experiencing changes to their offer and store mix."

She added: "Be Richmond represents the businesses in the town centre and has no influence over issues such as rent, etc., but is fully aware of the economic demands facing both businesses and consumers in the current climate.

"It is for these reasons that we are sharpening our focus on promoting community efforts, and, wherever possible, encouraging local spend in our fantastic shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels.

"We have an exciting programme of events lined up in the run up to Christmas, including a spectacular new Christmas Lights scheme, with the aim of driving footfall and positioning Richmond as a top retail and leisure destination, for both locals and visitors, at what is a crucial time for our town centre businesses and partners."

Be Richmond is behind the new public open space on Richmond Riverside at the bottom of Whittaker Avenue. It was the centre of outdoor entertainment through the summer and has recently been dressed with poppies, in partnership with The Poppy Factory, to mark Remembrance Sunday.

H&M said it has no comment to make on the future of its Richmond store. It has taken the same approach to the closure of other outlets around the country.