Wimbledon Celebrates all time high Shop Occupancy Rates

Wimbledon Celebrates all time high Shop Occupancy Rates

Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District announced figures today that Wimbledon Town Centre has some of the lowest shop vacancy rates in the country. Currently running at 1.77 % against a national average of around 9.1% and a London average of 6.5%.  This means there are 277 trading shops and restaurants in Wimbledon.

In 2015 over 15 street facing businesses moved into the town include Franco Manca, & Pasta, Flavous, Paverly Bridal, Mobalpa Kitchens, Carluccio’s Pop Up, Help for Heroes, Five Guys, Firezza, Dip ‘n’ Flip, Bliss Coffee and Chickadee.

Intersport and Trespass are also due to open in the coming weeks and Dreams has recently reopened opposite Sainsbury’s on Worple Road.

Helen Clark Bell, BID Manager was delighted with the news:

‘Wimbledon is a great place to open a shop or restaurant – what is also very exciting is how many independent shops we are attracting as a town. Our research shows that customers impressions of the town centre are improving and the range of events and activities that are put on by Love Wimbledon get the thumbs up.’

‘The figures are testimony to the  improvements  that have happened in the town and are representative of the incredibly  strong business community in Wimbledon and the great customers we get in town. We are well and truly open for business and are really proud of our town’s success.’

Around 50% of the new businesses are independents, which reflects the variety and point of difference the town is experiencing. The run up to Christmas has shown that retailers like Carluccio’s are attracted to the town. The cultural hotspots including the HMV Curzon, The Odeon, New Wimbledon Theatre and Polka children’s theatre are part of what attracts many restaurants and cafes to the area. The increase in office workers has also been a major attraction for shops and cafes in the area.

A Wonderful Winter Wonderland in Wimbledon

Wimbledon was treated to a magical, festive day of Christmas celebrations at Wimbledon Winter Wonderland.

Love Wimbledon pedestrianised part of Wimbledon Broadway on Sunday to welcome Christmas to Wimbledon with our Wimbledon Winter Wonderland spectacular. Thousands were treated to festive performances, Christmas market stalls, street entertainment and children’s rides.

Shrek from New Wimbledon Theatre’s appeared to the delight of many and a giant stilt walking snowmen, fairies and a roller skating Christmas pudding brought the magic of Christmas to Wimbledon. New this year was the ‘magical marquee’ area which provided a covered area for families to sit, enjoy hot food and take in all the magic!

Sally Warren, from Love Wimbledon commented, ‘The event this year was all about families from the local area. We created places to relax, enjoy and take in the Christmas music, feel and entertainment. Not having a large main stage on The Broadway was a decision made by Love Wimbledon so that the flow ran well and the experience was enjoyable for all. We’ve had lots of comments on the relaxed and festive feel it had’.

With the Mayor of Merton officially opening the event at 12pm, musical acts including Borough Brass, Singswell and singer Emily Lee with presenter Paul Evers kept gatherers entertained with festive fun and Christmas songs. Children’s rides including a carousel, rodeo reindeer and a snowboard simulator gave plenty to keep children happily entertained.

Family photos took place within a giant snow globe and market stalls sold festive presents and foods, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, as well as a popcorn stand and candyfloss. Elys department store got into the Christmas spirit also with festive activity and entertainment on every floor. Centre Court Shopping hosted a stage with fantastic performances all day.

To see pictures of this event click here to be forwarded onto our Facebook album

Have your picture taken in the snowglobe at Winter Wonderland? Click here to see our facebook photo album