1-4 Francis Grove Public Exhibition

Proposed building for Francis Grove

Invitation to the Public Exhibition

The developers would like to invite local residents and businesses to give  your comments on these new proposals. An exhibition is being held to discuss the plans.  The project team will be available and able to answer any questions you may have.

The site, 1-4 Francis Grove, is currently four storey office building and located on the corner of St George’s Road and Francis Grove, in Wimbledon town centre. The plans are for the redevelopment of the office building to provide the type of high quality office space for Wimbledon that is demanded by all types of businesses. The current building is outdated and unfit for purpose; the proposed new building will be designed to be more environmentally sustainable. There will also be new planting and an enlarged pavement.

Tuesday 10 September (4pm to 7.30pm)

Wednesday 11 September (3pm to 7.30pm)

Rosewater Suite, Antoinette Hotel, The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SD

If you are unable to make the exhibition, please get in contact francisgrove@yourshout.org

For more information visit www.francisgrove.co.uk/exhibition

September CEO Update from Helen

Love Wimbledon Team at Ride London

After Ride London, August is always a quiet month on the streets of Wimbledon, however we are very pleased to note that our overall footfall is not declining. In fact year on year we have stronger figures than August 2018 and we are showing a growth in footfall for the year to date. Investment in Wimbledon continues to be good and with strong interest in Wellington House and 22 Worple Road, the office sector continues to grow.

Unfortunately you will see that a couple of retailers have recently closed their doors. Since the change to the fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in April, two of our bookmakers have chosen to close in Wimbledon and Burger King was repossessed by the landlord from the franchise owners.

On a positive note, we are pleased to be working with LEON to welcome them to Wimbledon this autumn and are actively working with agents to attract new businesses to town. If there is a business you would like to see in Wimbledon then please let us know!

We have an exciting autumn ahead as we go into awards season, then cultural festival season and then I won’t mention the next season, but I can promise you plans are already afoot!

Deliveroo & Food Delivery Bikes

Deliveroo Drop In Workshop

Deliveroo hosted a drop in session for their riders in Hartfield Road car park on Thursday 15th August. This was well attended by the riders as Deliveroo gave away a lot of ‘kit’, whilst also giving them a leaflet from Love Wimbledon outlining some positive behaviours that we would like to encourage within the town. This was held next to the 2 new bays that Merton Council have provided for the riders to wait for their next order. Around 100 riders attended and we are hoping this will have a positive impact on how they perceive the town.

We are continuing to work with Senior Managers at Deliveroo and have reached out to Uber Eats to have the same conversation with them. But in the meantime if you do witness any issues please do report them through to support@deliveroo.co.uk  with license plate numbers where possible.

Latest Wimbledon Parking Update

parking update Aug 2019

At the latest Merton Council meeting about the rise in parking charges, our CEO Helen Clark Bell spoke about the lack of evidence that this change to the parking fees will have on the air quality in the town. Whilst we are all agreed air quality needs to be improved and the council needs to do all it can, she highlighted the high proportion of through traffic and buses that will not be impacted by this proposal and therefore this policy will not have the desired impact on air quality that we are all seeking to achieve.

 

Helen went on to advise that there maybe unintended consequences on the town at this particularly sensitive time for retail and given that there was not sufficient evidence or targets in place, and that we can’t afford to experiment with the health and vibrancy of our high streets.

 

The changes cannot be introduced yet as the Overview and Scrutiny Commission decided that due process was not undertaken sufficiently, but it is expected Merton Council will be implementing the significant rise in parking charges in Wimbledon town centre in the autumn.

 

Within our written and verbal responses, we lobbied for an increase in 20 minute free bays and also a relaxing of the punitive evening operating hours within the council operated car parks. We have secured a £2 flat rate after 6pm in Queens Road and St George’s Road car parks to help support the evening economy.

 

Read more information on the Merton Council Parking Consultation.

YMCA Building Consultation

YMCA Consultation

YMCA Wimbledon recently held a public consultation event to receive views on their latest proposal. We all agree that the current building is not fit for purpose and is in a deteriorating condition. In order to enable the construction of a new home for YMCA, the development and sale of private housing will provide the finance. The scheme being presented includes 2 new ground floor commercial units and 139 new homes. Controversially they are proposing a 15 storey octagon building on the corner of Trinity Road.

This is an initial public consultation and we would encourage you to take a look and share your opinion https://wimbledonymca.commonplace.is/

August CEO Update from Helen

Big Screen tennis crowds 2019

Wow what a tennis fortnight! The town really does come alive to celebrate this international event and we are proud to be able to show off the town to the tens of thousands of visitors that arrive. Our big screen, sponsored by local business Upfield (through their brand Elmlea) attracted the largest crowds so far, creating a wonderful atmosphere and driving footfall into the town.

Our Summer Sit Out was once again a big hit with Wimbledon employees supporting local shops and restaurants, grabbing something to eat and being able to enjoy their lunchtimes al fresco for three weeks on The Piazza. The picnic benches and umbrellas have now been packed away and our astroturf put into storage with thanks to Abbotswood Flooring, but they will return for this popular event next year.

Summer Sit Out 2019

In the meantime we celebrate Finalists for the MBBAs and the TLFCA across the town before the award ceremonies in September. As we reach 2.5 million views of our Wimbledon business photos the Association of Town and City Management have used Love Wimbledon BID as a case study for our free Google services for businesses, all good publicity for the vitality of our town. We hope you are enjoying the revised business pages on our website that we have worked with Wimbledon business 3mil to redevelop.

This Sunday we are looking forward to hosting our RideLondon Cheer Zone and thanks to local businesses Elys, Ski Club of Great Britain, Virgin Active, G like Gelato and Kababji who are participating in providing activities and promotions for our visitors.

Business Survey Results and Actions

Stat for biz survey report

Thank you to all the respondents – the 2019 survey received responses from nearly 40% of our BID businesses.

We asked you about a number of areas including:

  • Business Services / Marketing
  • Lobbying for Businesses
  • Recruitment
  • Sustainability and the Environment
  • Love Wimbledon
  • View of the Town Centre

94% of businesses said Wimbledon look and feel was a good selling point

Our survey highlighted some positive moves forward in the town centre and what the key areas for improvement or concern for businesses were. We analysed the results and provided a thorough action plan to the Love Wimbledon Board for approval which feeds into our delivery plan.

View of the Town Centre

83%                        agreed it was safe

90%                        agreed it was popular

81%                        agreed it was attractive

71%                        agreed it was interesting

Key Issues

  • Cost of parking
  • Recruitment (Brexit)
  • Sustainability (including plastic / traffic)

We are continuing our pressure on Merton Council to keep parking affordable in the town centre and we continue to work with Sustainable Merton on a number of business and environmental initiatives to improve plastic use and traffic impact. Please keep reading the business updates for more.

Love Wimbledon gets an 83% satisfaction rate

What’s working well

We were really pleased to see such strong support for the promotion we do, especially the FREE website listing, social media and 360 degree photos for Google. Find out more about the Marketing & Promotion we offer to BID businesses.

The Staff Privilege Card continues to top the charts as being our most important business service, with our newsletter updates, free membership to Merton Chamber, the cost effective waste collection and the various awards all being important. See all the ways you can promote your business.

88% of businesses think transport is a good selling point

86% the types of shops/restaurants are an asset

What’s important for the town centre:

  • Look and Feel
  • Through traffic
  • Trees / greenery
  • Air quality
  • Single-use plastic
  • Parking
  • Police Station

We are working on a number of campaigns to address the above, see our Campaign page for more information.

About Love Wimbledon

95% of those who knew said we are having a positive effect

88% of those who knew us feel part of the town and represented by Love Wimbledon

94% of those who knew felt we got issues resolved

Summary

Satisfaction rates in most areas are high, with some businesses raising concerns over Brexit, type of retail / leisure portfolio and parking. The green sustainability agenda continues to gain traction; from air quality to single use plastics. We will continue to promote this agenda and set a good example ourselves through our own business practices, whilst keeping a watching brief on the impact of decisions on Wimbledon such as the extension of the ULEZ zone.

Many of the issues within this are the responsibility of other organisations whether Merton Council, the GLA, TfL or businesses themselves. However, we will continue to lobby, investigate working in partnership with them and get the business voice heard to make a difference and ultimately see a BETTER Wimbledon Town Centre.

100% of new businesses found Love Wimbledon welcoming and helpful