As we welcome autumn, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the successful summer we’ve had in Wimbledon Town Centre. The last few months have been full of exciting events, fantastic community involvement, and significant milestones that have strengthened our town’s reputation as a vibrant and ever-evolving destination.
Love Wimbledon led the development of the Evolving Wimbledon conference, which took place on 1st October at the Polka Theatre. This conference demonstrated why Wimbledon was outperforming so many UK town and city centres, and spotlighted the exciting future developments in our town centre. The conference offered valuable insights into how Wimbledon is evolving into one of London’s top destinations. Learn more about Evolving Wimbledon.
Our Sustainable September initiative also returned, bigger and better than ever. Over the course of the month, we hosted and sponsored various sustainability-focused events. These included a business breakfast focused on sustainability accreditation and several community events such as panel talks, repair workshops, fashion shows, markets, and a kilo sale—all designed to raise awareness and encourage greener practices. The results speak for themselves, with a notable 35% increase in footfall during the first weekend alone—evidence that sustainability not only inspires change but also attracts people to our town centre. For those who may have missed out on the Sustainable September events, there is still time for you your business to take part by donating to the Royal Trinity Hospice Stock Drive.
July and August saw us celebrate our Summer of Sport, with the ever-popular Wimbledon Championships drawing in crowds to our Big Screen on The Piazza. But this year we were thrilled to introduce our screening of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which was well-received by local residents and businesses alike.
The Merton Best Business Awards (MBBA) recognised several of our BID businesses for their excellence, including Bombay Delight, Wimbledon Dental Wellness, Fortius Clinic, and Polka Theatre (who secured a remarkable hat-trick of awards!). We are incredibly proud of their achievements, and also to have sponsored the Enterprising Business Award, recognising local innovation. The evening was a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our local business community. Read more about the MBBA winners here.
This month also marks a significant milestone for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across the UK as we celebrate 20 years of BIDs, with £1bn invested in local services and events. BIDs have played an instrumental role in driving investment into local communities, and we are dedicated to continuing to provide opportunities that benefit our businesses and responds to the needs of the local area.
We’re excited to welcome back the Wimbledon BookFest from 17th – 27th October, which promises another incredible line-up of renowned authors and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the literary scene while supporting local talent. Later this year we’ll see the opening of Huddle, a modern coworking space in Wimbledon Quarter, providing another fantastic addition to the town’s offering.
As we transition into the so-called Golden Quarter for retailers, we have much to look forward to, but what we’re most excited about is Christmas! This festive season, Wimbledon will come alive with a full programme of Christmas events and festivities guaranteed to keep the town buzzing with excitement. Now is the perfect time to consider Wimbledon Gift Cards as a brilliant stocking filler or Secret Santa present – a thoughtful gift that also support a variety of local businesses.
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this magical season – get in touch with us here at info@lovewimbledon.org to get involved with our exciting Christmas offerings, or to sponsor an event and get your business’s name out there!
