From the peaceful flow of the River Thames to the exhilaration of the rowing on the water, Putney is a place built on community and adventure with an energy that can be experienced by any. Previously, as someone who was unfamiliar with Putney, I was eager to see what it was like and I can say I was not let down. Through working with Positively Putney, I got to see first hand the work that that is done in supporting and celebrating the incredible community and helping the area thrive.
On Tuesday, I accompanied the film crew who are making a film for the Positively Putney’s BID Ballot campaign in which many local businesses took part. Straight away I saw the bond Positively Putney has with many of the surrounding shops. From filming at Prince of Wales Pub with its magnificent flowers and decorative interior; Morrows with its intricate socks and tie designs; Dugard’s and Daughters with its array of mouth-watering meat and more enabled me to encapsulate myself into the community getting to know many of the workers and their relationship with Positively Putney. I was fortunate enough to be put into a clip as a girl shopping at Dugard’s and Daughters so I can now say I am a part time actor on any resume! The filming experience, although extremely hot, was so fun to be a part of and the ice cream from Ray at Phoenix Yoga was helpful in cooling us all down.
On Wednesday, I was able to see how Positively Putney promotes businesses on social media. I watched how Grace filmed and edited videos for their social media, showcasing where people can find holiday essentials and shop for summer basics in Putney. From walking around, I got to see the embedded world cup support that Positively Putney has created to build excitement. This was visible through the flags displayed around the area, the World Cup-themed hopscotch, and the vibrant window designs, with each shop celebrating and showing support for different countries. These creative displays not only add colour and excitement to the streets but also help strengthen community spirit, encourage local engagement, and create a shared sense of celebration across Putney.
On Thursday, I analysed the May 2026 footfall and spend data and compared it with May 2025. Key findings were:
•Footfall increased by 29% compared to the previous year.
•Consumer spending increased by 101%.
•Saturday recorded the highest footfall and spend, with the 9th of May being the absolute highest footfall and spend day.
•Sunday experienced the lowest footfall and spend, likely due to shorter trading hours and reduced shopping activity.
From my time with Positively Putney, I discovered that their work is centred around strengthening the community and making Putney a better place for everyone. They are dedicated to supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for businesses to thrive. Their passion for Putney is reflected in the care, creativity, and consideration they put into every project, helping to build a welcoming and safe community.
Written by Libby, aged 17 work experience student.
