Tag Archive for: Wimbledon

Mushroom Farming in Centre Court

As part of Centre Court’s regeneration, a new mushroom farm is springing to life inside the Shopping Centre

Developed by Caley Brothers, the farm uses coffee grounds from local Wimbledon hospitality businesses to create the perfect substrate for growing gourmet mushrooms.

The farm forms part of Centre Court’s drive towards sustainability and a circular economy. A regular, almost daily crop of Grey Oyster Mushrooms is anticipated which will be sold back to local businesses at competitive market rates, encouraging the consumption of locally-grown produce in our eateries. Any surplus mushrooms will also be available for the public to buy from Centre Court’s ground floor marketplace.

This initiative is another symbiotic element of Centre Court’s vision to be a compassionate community partner, fostering environmentally friendly and sustainable local projects and increasing biodiversity in our neighbourhood. Once the mushrooms are harvested, their used substrate will be repurposed to nourish the flowerbeds and planting on Centre Court’s new rooftop wildlife garden. This in turn will nuture 50,000 bees to be housed nearby in three new hexagonal wooden hives.

Find out more about Centre Court’s exciting plans here. And stayed tuned for all the latest updates, by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Insta.

#LoveLocal This Valentine’s Day

Cafe Mori Cupcakes

Roses are red, violets are blue, Wimbledon has everything you need to make a perfect night for two.

With the current lockdown, there are still plenty of ways to put a homely spin on typical Valentine’s Day celebrations. Whether you’re hoping to impress your partner, treat a friend or relative, or indulge in some self-love, Wimbledon businesses have developed great menu’s, products and ideas to make this Sunday 14th February, a night to remember.

For a truly memorable date night to look forward to, pick a performance that’s sure to wow. Surprise your loved one with tickets to a brilliant future show at New Wimbledon Theatre or enjoy a live stream of the world’s most famous love story, Romeo & Juliet.

Floral treats are always a winner – enjoy deliciously sweet and fluffy floral cupcakes from local Japanese café, Café Mori, or pick up a beautiful fresh-smelling bouquet from Wimbledon Flower Kiosk (located outside Wimbledon Station).

Wimbledon pub The Old Frizzle is offering two Valentine’s cook-at-home for you and one special other. These include a mouth-wateringly gooey Raclette box, where you can melt your cheese on your very own grill! Everything comes prepared for you, so all you need to do is pop a few things in the oven, light the candle under the burner and watch the cheese bubble away as you celebrate at home with your special someone. Or opt for a Swingers Roast Box, which includes with pork, chicken and beef, with all the usual trimmings. Simply pre-order in advance for delivery.

Whether you’re looking for gifts for a loved one, a best friend or yourself, Elys has a great range of heart-warming Valentine’s Day gifts, including champagne truffles, luxury perfumes and great-smelling candle sets. Plus find out how to create a loving dining-out experience at home and top tasty Valentine’s treats, from Elys Food Tastemaker Sisley White such as Bitesize Strawberry Chocolate Tarts.

Or create the perfect intimate setting with massage and essential oils, vegan sweets and herbal face masks from Health Zone Wimbledon. Add the finishing touches with a custom-made Valentine’s balloon bouquet from Partica.

Remember this Valentine’s Day is also #LoveLocalDay, so whatever you’re buying – think local and support our independent, small businesses in our town. See what shops are open here, and for the full list of restaurants and cafes offering takeaway and delivery click here.

How Zéro is Bringing Zero-Waste Living to Wimbledon

Zero Waste Wimbledon

Founders Josh and Alicia (image taken pre-Covid)

A new store joined Centre Court Shopping Centre at the end of last year, bringing with it a trailblazing new movement which could change the way that we shop.

 

Zéro is Wimbledon’s first zero-waste shop, where all products are sold in bulk or without disposable packaging and, where possible, come from organic or fair-trade farming and from local producers. Simply bring your own containers and fill them to the level you want!

Previously located at Merton Abbey Mills, the zero-waste shop offers a simple alternative to excessive single-use packaging consumption with a wide range of ready-to-go bulk items, including: vegan and palm-oil-free shampoo bars, recycled toilet paper and organic salted vanoffee cashews.

We sat down (virtually of course) with one of the founders of the store, Alicia, to find out more about the new innovative store.

Tell us more about Zéro and where the inspiration for the store came from…

“In July 2018, we joined the “Plastic Free July” challenge and tried to give up on single-use plastic for 1 month. To our surprise the challenge turned out to be a daily uphill struggle and we realised that we couldn’t be the only ones who felt this way! We drew our inspiration for Zéro from the continental European model of zero-waste grocery shopping, where there is still a culture of going to specialised shops for individual items e.g. bakery for bread, cheesemonger for cheese, etc. We used to shop in such establishments when we lived in France and Italy and thought there was no reason why the model should not be replicable in the UK. After all, this is how all shops used to be in this country as well before supermarkets monopolised the market!”

 

Why did you choose Wimbledon as a location for relocation?

After 1 and a half years at Merton Abbey Mills in South Wimbledon, we wanted to find a bigger unit in a more central location. This has enabled us to retain some of our customers, which was very important to us whilst also reaching out to many many more. We believe that the idea of zero-waste living must become more mainstream and having a shop in a major shopping centre in a place like Wimbledon will hopefully help achieve this. Moreover, the move has allowed us to increase our product lines, as the new unit is larger, making it easier for customers to find everything they need and cut down on waste in more areas of their life.

What products do you and your customers love best?

We like to think that people find our range appealing as a whole! But that said, we have a large choice of household cleaning products available for refills, which have always been very popular. We love our new range of grains and pulses from Hodmedod’s which are all grown in the UK and are helping contribute to a resurgence in the popularity of traditional grains and pulses such as carlin peas and spelt.

How do you see your store contributing to the future of the zero-waste movement in Wimbledon?

We would like to think that our shop will inspire people and even other businesses to make a difference. Our shop is not only a place where people can find eco-friendly products, it is also an area where new ideas and conversations about sustainability can germinate. We have already learned so much from our customers, some of whom are also involved in other sustainable groups and activities in the borough and we hope we can continue to be part of this movement!

As an essential store, Zéro remains open over lockdown so pay them a visit and begin your journey to a zero-waste lifestyle! Many other independent stores have joined Centre Court over the last few months – click here to find out more so you can head down when they re-open.

Spread The Love This Valentine’s Day

Wimbledon Town Centre is full of great restaurants, bars, cafe’s and more. So make this your most romantic Valentine’s yet with some of our great gift ideas, intimate dining venues and more … Or if you’re anti-Valentine’s, keep reading for inspiring ideas to avoid spending the night to the sofa and live up February 14th, like it was any other day!

 

Romantic Gift Inspiration 

  • Treat your loved one to beautifully-crafted blooms this Valentine’s, with a stunning selection of bouquets available from: Marks and Spencer, The Flowersmith, Wimbledon Flower Kiosk.
  • Irresistibly-scented gifts from Lush, who are going naked on this national holiday with packaging-free products, including a Cheeky Massage Bar, Peachy Bath Bomb and a Prince Charming Shower Gel.
  • Get crafty and create a lovely gift basket/box, filled with small treats or hand-written notes of admiration with a little help from Fielder’s Art Shop
  • Visit Wimbledon Party Shop and go decoration crazy, with heart-shaped pillows and lots more!
  • Think personalised with a wide range of personalisable products from Snappy Snaps including calendars, cushions, t-shirts, wall art and lots more.
  • Indulge your friends, family or partner with decadent chocolates from Elys Wimbledon or mouth-watering cakes from Patisserie Valerie.
  • Add some sparkle to your Valentines, whether it’s with a small thoughtful gift or a grand gesture. Check out Wimbledon’s fine goldsmiths and diamond specialists including Sinclair Jewellers and Swarovski, or choose from a range of luxury jewellery and watch brands at Elys and Art Jewels.
    – Spend £99 at Pandora and receive a pair of earrings worth £30!

 

Intimate Dining Venues 

Treat the one you love to a romantic evening at Bill’s this Valentine’s Day with their healthy and indulgent, seasonal menu for £24.95pp, available 13th – 16th February 2020. Find a quiet corner at romantic Italian Al Forno or treat your loved one to steak at Roxie’s. If you both enjoy Oriental food, Sticks n Sushi have a great selection of dishes on their Valentine’s menu for you to get your chopsticks into or simply enjoy a Thai curry in Mai Thai. Independent healthy eating cafe Lu-Ma are serving up a delicious three-course menu with live entertainment, so if you’re looking to continue the meat-free trend in February then pre-book here.

 

 

Date Ideas 

Enjoy all the latest Hollywood hits and award winning movies at Curzon Cinema and Wimbledon Odeon, share a bottle of bubbly at All Bar One, a cocktail at 601 Queen’s Rd or enjoy live music at Bertie’s Wine Bar. Looking to mingle with other singles? Then head down to one of Wimbledon’s buzzing bars to dance into the small hours with pulse-pounding beats by resident DJ’s and fantastic drinks deals.

Check out the full list of ‘Going Out’ venues in Wimbledon.

New Wimbledon Theatre also has a special Valentine’s Special of the new monthly event ‘Write About Now’, or check out the much-loved ‘Here Comes Your Man’, a romantic comedy show by Matt Hoss. Escape the stress together by opting to spend quality time relaxing and unwinding during a couples massage at Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa.

 

Anti-Valentine’s Inspiration 

If you can’t stand to hear the V word, then don’t spend the day at home! Treat yourself to a manicure at Treat Nails, Princess Nails or Londora Nail Boutique (Elys), get that bounce back to your hair at one of our award-winning hairdressers, or try a new look with Ely’s free personal styling service. Or brave the brisk air and take a walk down The Broadway to check out Love Wimbledon’s new environmentally-motivated street art piece.

 

 

Make it a night to remember and spread the love this Valentine’s Day!

Keep up to date with all the latest news on Valentine’s promotions, events and offers by following us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram – join in and let us know what you’re up to!

 

Winter Wonderland Brings Christmas to Wimbledon

Town Centre lights up as the festive season begins in Wimbledon

Love Wimbledon’s Winter Wonderland brought a joyous warm glow to our town centre on Sunday 1 December. With The Broadway closed to traffic, thousands of visitors filled the streets, enjoying festive entertainment, tucking in to traditional treats and getting hands-on with a host of activities for all ages. Shoppers were also treated to a huge array of unique and handmade gifts, including original art, homeware, clothing and accessories from local artisans at our Christmas Market.

Visitors tucked in to all the festive favourites such as mince pies, mulled wine, popcorn and candyfloss, along with a huge range of exotic cuisines from India, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Brazil and South Africa. And new this year, the Sticks N Sushi Tent proved a great addition!

Entertainment featured classic carols and contemporary favourites on The Piazza bandstand and inside Centre Court, along with local dance group and brass band performances, and larger-than-life Christmas characters mingling with the crowds. There were fun family photo opportunities inside our giant snow globe, the light tunnel and Christmas unicorn vignette and our traditional live ice carving drew in the crowds who watched in awe as a stunning reindeer evolved from the frozen block.

New to Winter Wonderland this year was the Games Tent. Designed with older kids in mind, it featured Roll-A-Ball Reindeer, the Snownado and Snowman Alley, plus regular firm favourite, the challenging Snowboard Simulator. And of course, our hugely popular Snowman and Pudding bouncy castles were there for the younger children, along with a very busy Make ‘n’ Take Tent.

A spectacular fireworks display lit up the evening sky, courtesy of Centre Court Shopping Centre.

Thank you to everyone for coming and to the businesses for supporting this most wonder time of the year.

 

Gina Conway Aveda in Elys wins multiple awards

Multi award winning Gina Conway Aveda Salon goes from strength to strength

Visit Gina Conway Aveda Salon and Spa in Elys Urban Beauty for an unforgettable beauty and wellbeing experience. Using the environmentally friendly brand Aveda, Gina’s hand-picked talented team offers incomparable hair and spa services.  And the salon has accumulated a host of awards recently, including Customer Service at the British Hairdressing Business Awards and the overall Merton Best Business Award.

The innovative changes Gina has implemented include dedicated hosts offering mobile check out for a personal and interactive service, a community table, perfect for relaxing at during colour processing and a call centre for an enhanced booking experience. The Blow Dry Bar, for those wanting fabulous hair-on-the-go, also offers a complimentary 5-minute ritual – from a Stress Relief massage to a Scalp Consultation or makeup touch-up. Why not pop in?

For appointments call 020 8090 5818 or visit Gina Conway Aveda Salon and Spa.

Get Booked for Autumn!

Wimbledon Bookfest, Merton Arts Festival, and Wimbledon International Music Festival all have a host of performances, images, talks and exhibitions happening in Wimbledon Town Centre this Autumn.

Tickets are now on sale for:

Wimbledon Bookfest Launch Event sponsored by Love Wimbledon with best selling author Joanne Harris, writer of The Strawberry Thief. Taking place in Merton Arts Space (in Wimbledon library) on the evening of the 3rd of October. Meet the Love Wimbledon team before the event and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink. Tickets available here

Wimbledon International Music Festival taking place throughout November. Catch some mash up music with acclaimed Vivaldi meets Finnish Rock, Tosca Regents Opera and the Festival Finale taking place at Trinity Church, SW19 4AA. Find out more and purchase your tickets here

Merton Arts Festival. The ALL FREE art trail to enjoy in Wimbledon and Merton. Taking place over the two last weekends in September, read all about the trail here.

And don’t forget our Arts and Crafts Market on The Piazza on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. Enjoy FREE activities and shop from an array of original and hand crafted work from hand picked local artists and designers. Find out more here.    

 

Our Wimbledon Summer Magazine has landed!

Read all about it! 

Summer has arrived and so has our popular Wimbledon Magazine. Including tennis news, a what’s on guide, what’s new in town, shopping features and eating out pages. Sit back, relax and enjoy reading it by clicking on the image below…

Visit the Japanese tea house, Café Mori in Wimbledon

Japanese tea house, Café Mori, has a calm and cosy atmosphere offering a selection of teas, coffees, pastries, cakes and desserts (sencha tea, matcha lattes, matcha rolls, crepes and more). It’s the latest independent business to open in Wimbledon town centre. If you’ve not visited them as yet, take a peek inside.

 

Find them at 68 The Broadway, SW19 1RQ, 0208 544 1343.