CEO Update – Christmas 2022

Christmas is very much upon us now here in Wimbledon. We were delighted to kick off the festive season with our ‘Reunite this Christmas’ campaign and Winterfest event, and it was thrilling to see people in their thousands reuniting with friends and family despite the rain to enjoy our celebration. With panto season in full swing, Christmas trees at the station and The Piazza, our reindeer back on display across town, and with our brilliant Christmas Markets in full swing, I wanted to take this moment to reflect on an extraordinary year.

I joined love Wimbledon in January 2022, so I’m approaching the end of my first full year in this role. It’s been a remarkable year for everyone, with Omicron, Ukraine, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Funeral, ongoing political instability in the UK and now the emerging cost-of-living crisis all occurring. Through these turbulent times we’ve had to adapt our own work to support the evolving needs of our levy payers, and, despite the challenges ahead, I remain excited about our work and the opportunities for Wimbledon’s businesses in 2023.

I’ve had so many personal highlights of my first year here. I’ve been overwhelmed by how welcoming businesses, residents and politicians have all been to me, and I’ve loved starting to get to know some of the incredible organisations that call Wimbledon Town Centre their home. It’s been hugely rewarding to see so many people come to our events and markets in town too, and a real highlight was seeing multiple generations of families playing our giant games together while enjoying the live music and street food at our Friday Food & Play summer events. These will definitely return next year!

Friday Food & Play 2022

In 2023 we have some big new ideas and events to bring our business community back together face-to-face more regularly and meaningfully, and we’ll also keep delivering and enhancing those essential services that are vital to so many of our levy payers, such as our Ranger work. In 2022, our Ranger Tom identified and resolved over 2,500 incidents in Wimbledon Town Centre, including graffiti removal, waste collection, fly tipping, fly posting and litter removal. We see this work as the crucial foundation in Civic Pride from which all our other work is built.

Graffiti Removal

 

Turning now to the new, I’m delighted to announce the first in our major new programme of Business Masterclasses. These are events designed for businesses across Merton, addressing the topics you told us are causing ongoing concern in this current challenging economic environment, from recruitment to cyber security. We’ll be bringing together acknowledged experts and local leaders in these fields to collectively talk about some of these challenges and potential solutions. Beginning on 25 January, these events promise so much for the year ahead.

We’ll also be working closely with our approved partners in the Mayor’s Business Climate Challenge programme, as we all collectively strive to become more knowledgeable on ways to become more sustainable and to reduce our energy costs as businesses. Businesses joining the Challenge will be working closely with leading sustainability consultants, from which we hope to build an evolving body of knowledge that we can use to help the entire business community.

Next year will of course also see the first phase of the redevelopment of Centre Court Shopping Centre, with exciting experiential businesses and new public spaces opening just a few months from now. This is a hugely exciting transformation of a shopping centre that could not have survived as it was, into a multi-use destination combining co-working space, experiential businesses, health and wellbeing, restaurants and traditional retail. It promises to be instrumental in safeguarding the success of Wimbledon Town Centre for the foreseeable future.

I know the months ahead could prove to be challenging, and I will strive to do everything we can to help our businesses through identifying potential solutions and resources we can access to assist our businesses through any challenges they are facing.

On behalf of the Love Wimbledon team I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – we can’t wait to work with you in 2023!

CEO of Love Wimbledon- Craig Hurring

Talk of The Town 2022

We were delighted to see so many guests attend our annual Talk of the Town event on Tuesday 8th October.

If you missed the meeting, please see the highlights here: https://vimeo.com/766563255

 

 

Craig Hurring, Chief Executive said:

As my first year leading the Love Wimbledon team comes towards an end, it was a thrill to speak with our businesses at our annual Talk of the Town Event to show them some of the work we have collectively delivered across Wimbledon Town Centre in 2022. Many thanks to those businesses that were able to attend, and I hope they agree that it’s been quite a year!

 

We heard from two important speakers. Richard Harrison, The Founder of new business The Golf Groove, expressed his excitement to join Centre Court in its redevelopment next year.  Head of Climate Change Mitigation at The Greater London Authority (GLA), Simon Wyke, discussed the process and benefits of joining the Mayor’s Business Climate Challenge. Love Wimbledon is inviting businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre to join this Climate Challenge. 

 

Richard Harrison, Founder of The Golf Groove spoke at the event:

We are welcoming to everyone and trying to bring the best aspects of golf in this stimulated format by gamifying this experience. You can play from any top golf courses, a non golfer can stand in the bay and be at the top of the Empire State Building and hit golf balls into Manhattan with our latest technology simulators.

 

Simon Wyke, Head of Climate Change Mitigation said:

The Mayor’s Business Climate Challenge can help reduce your energy consumption and carbon emissions and also make a lot of cost savings for your business.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting. Please see the links below.

 

Love Wimbledon Annual Report

Consumer Home Page 

What’s On 

See how Love Wimbledon can support businesses here: https://vimeo.com/759921859.

See Love Wimbledon events here: https://vimeo.com/759147103.

 

 

Reunite This Christmas Campaign

 

This season, Love Wimbledon’s  ‘Reunite This Christmas’ campaign launches, kicking off an exciting festive offer. The campaign focuses on celebrating people coming together again for the first Christmas without any restrictions in awhile. Encompassing what our amazing High Street businesses have to offer, from theatre performances to delicious dinners, winter fashion in Elys to sumptuous gifts at our markets, this is the time to reunite with friends, family and work colleagues. We look forward to seeing you all there!

 

Winterfest

Sunday 27th November, 12-6pm

A day of festive family fun to fill everyone with the spirit of the season. The Broadway will be closed for children’s rides, ice sculpting, live performances and hot food and drink. Stay for a spectacular fireworks display at 5.30pm, courtesy of Centre Court Shopping.

 

 

Christmas Markets

Weekends, 19th November – 18th December

Fridays 9th and 16th December

Our popular Christmas Markets return 19th November for five consecutive weekends of outdoor shopping on The Piazza. A curated selection of local artisans offer a broad range of products, including original art, home décor, bespoke jewellery, clothing, candles and much more.

 

Christmas Tree

Look out for our much-loved Christmas tree, returning to Wimbledon once more on 24th November. This year Morr & Co Solicitors will be sponsoring our real 25ft tree which will be illuminated outside Wimbledon station alongside our signage post to remind you of all the festive events happening in the town centre. As a special treat this year, an additional real Christmas tree will be on The Piazza.

Gift Card

Support local businesses this Christmas by signing up for the Love Wimbledon Gift Card. Encourage the community to reunite in Wimbledon Town Centre by shopping locally by redeeming their gift card at your business. This service is free for businesses to join, register your business here.

Ranger Impact Report Q3

 

 

Often in a town centre there are things you notice, whether events or a new shop, and then there things which happen quite often without anyone noticing them at all. That’s where our Ranger comes in, who patrols our streets taking note of the aftermath of anti-social behaviour. From graffiti to fly tipping, our aim is to get issues resolved promptly with the appropriate parties.

The graph above illustrates the total amount of resolutions Love Wimbledon achieves (and with a handy quarter on quarter change). 538 instances were resolved in Wimbledon from July – Sept 2022.

Our team reports around 30 issues a week to external services such as First Mile, Veolia, Community Clean, Merton Council and Thames Water. This ensures that these issues are resolved as quickly as possible.

As the graph shows, 160 more instances have been resolved since the previous quarter with more graffiti removal and more clearing of fly-tipping & fly-posting.

Big Wins for Love Wimbledon Businesses at the Merton Best Business Awards

Merton Best Business Awards celebrate and recognise the crème de la crème of businesses within the borough.

Now in its tenth year, the prestigious awards embrace the range of businesses within Wimbledon and the Borough of Merton. These businesses have shown determination and passion to survive the events of the past two years, and have shown resilience, excellence, innovation, and best practice.

 

Craig Hurring, CEO of Love Wimbledon commented:

‘Love Wimbledon is proud to be part of the Merton Best Business Awards, and to specifically sponsor the Business Innovation Award, recognising the ingenuity of local businesses in exploring new markets, channels and products in an unprecedented business environment. This was an inspirational night celebrating the best of Merton’s business community, and I was particularly delighted to see so many businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre being nominated and winning awards.’

 

A range of new categories and an easy application process attracted a high number of applications, with Wimbledon Town Centre businesses scooping a number of awards and runner-up positions:

 

The Alexandra

Aya Lebanese Cuisine

Love Wimbledon BID business, The Alexandra took home The Contribution to the Community Award, while The Polka Theatre, won The Sustainable Impact Award and finally Aya Lebanese Cuisine, was awarded with Enterprising Young Person of the Year Award.

 

The Polka Theatre

Runners up:

  • Mint Wellbeing – The Best Enterprising Business and Independent Business Award
  • Elys Wimbledon – Business Innovation Award
  • The Polka Theatre – Champions of Change Award
  • Harnham – Large Independent Business Award
  • Scrivener Tibbatts – Employer of the Year

 

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, a full list can be found on the Merton Best website here.

Love Wimbledon was proud to be gold sponsors of this event and sponsored the ‘Business Innovation Award’. The winner of this award continues to survive, revive, and thrive against the odds.

Love Wimbledon Wins Funding to Green Wimbledon’s Commercial Buildings

Are you up for going greener?

Amidst rising energy prices, it is even more important to operate workplaces efficiently to save money. We are one of only nine London-based business engagement partners who will be delivering the Mayor of London’s Business Climate Challenge (BCC). Following a successful trial, the programme was proven to reduce energy consumption for businesses, often saving money, and deliver targets towards net zero. 

The BCC programme provides free support for businesses to: 

  • Reduce emissions from heating and powering  
  • Make buildings more energy efficient 
  • Reduce energy costs  
  • Support businesses on their pathway to zero carbon 

 

Did you know? 

London’s commercial and industrial buildings currently make up 36% of the capital’s carbon footprint. Decarbonising the city’s building stock is pivotal to reach a net zero target by 2030, and ensure a green and clean recovery  from the pandemic which supports green jobs for the new economy. By participating in this pioneering initiative, Love Wimbledon BID businesses can receive direct support from leading sustainability consultants to enable them to rethink and reframe how they use energy in their workplace.

 

 How to get involved 

We have the opportunity for twenty businesses or property owners to participate in our BCC programme. While we will ensure the learnings are captured for all our businesses, for their own operational efficiency, BCC’s consultants who will work with Love Wimbledon and participating businesses require the following criteria: 

  • You have a place of work that would have hosted 50 – 250 employees pre-pandemic (including theatres / cinemas / cultural venues) 
  • You are a business within the Love Wimbledon BID area 
  • You can be a tenant or a landowner (you do not need to own the building to participate) 
  • You are committed to improving your sustainability credentials whilst saving money 

This service is free.

 

We are now looking for around 20 office-based businesses to participate in this pilot. If you would like to get involved contact Craig Hurring, CEO, Love Wimbledon BID: 

020 8619 2012 or email info@lovewimbledon.org 

 

 More about the Business Climate Challenge Programme 

Piloted in 2021, The Mayor partnered with the Better Bankside BID in Southwark, working with its members to create a commitment to reduce energy consumption. 19 businesses joined the BCC committing to reduce their building’s energy consumption by 10 per cent within a year. The businesses received tailored technical advice from Turner & Townsend, who supported them to decarbonise their buildings and reduce their energy consumption. 

Findings from the pilot indicate that in the first 9 months of the programme BCC participants reduced their energy  consumption on average by 16%, surpassing their target and saving £8,300 in energy costs. 

Achieving energy savings comes at a low cost to businesses since more than half of the participants can meet or exceed their target by implementing energy-efficiency measures with an average cost of £3,800. So far the cohort has reduced 213 tonnes of carbon and accrued total cost savings of £116,300. 

For 2022-3 the Challenge has been scaled up, with the Mayor announcing that BCC will now support a further 250 businesses to decarbonise their buildings. Meeting their efficiency targets could result in total energy cost reductions of up to £2 million. Love Wimbledon has been awarded this programme so let’s make the most of it. 

Businesses will receive bespoke technical support to operate their workplaces more efficiently with access to training opportunities and learning materials. Participants will commit to reducing their energy consumption by 10% in one year with support from BCC’s technical consultants. Businesses that reach their energy reduction target will be recognised in a Mayoral event at the end of the programme and receive a certificate. 

The BCC has been developed with pro bono support from Bloomberg Associates and builds on learnings from other global cities. 

 

 

Merton Best Business Awards Finalists

 

This year’s awards shortlist shines a light on Merton’s vibrant and diverse business community.

Now in their 10th year, the Merton Best Business Awards celebrate and recognise the local business community with a range of prestigious awards.

The judging panel, made up of representatives from local businesses, received a fantastic number of applications for award categories including Champions of Change, Independent Business Award, Best New Business, Sustainable Impact Award and Entrepreneur of the Year. Members of the public were also invited to join the judging process by voting for their favourite local business that is offering outstanding customer service. This year the Business Innovation Award is being sponsored by Love Wimbledon.

CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, Diana Sterck, said: “We were thrilled that so many local businesses applied for this year’s awards. The judges were blown away by the stories of resilience, innovation and excellence that they read, and it was harder than ever to whittle down a shortlist. Every Merton business should feel exceptionally proud of their journey over the past couple of years and we are looking forward to celebrating at our gala awards ceremony in September.”

To see the list of finalists for each award category, please visit mertonbestbusiness.co.uk/news. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 28th September.

Love Wimbledon Wins Funding to Deliver Business Resilience Masterclass

New Masterclass Series to Launch this Autumn 

Love Wimbledon has been awarded funding from Central Government, administered by Merton Council, to deliver a series of masterclasses in partnership with Merton Chamber of Commerce. These masterclasses will bring together engaging guest speakers who, as well as being experts in their fields, will offer you local perspectives and facilitate new business connections.

The aim is to provide practical and immediate interventions on various issues affecting businesses across Merton.

We have several themes in mind but would like your help with shaping the final content. So we would be grateful if you could share your thoughts by completing this short questionnaire before 5 September.

Your feedback will help us refine the final selection of topics and we will publish the full list in September along with details on how to reserve tickets.

If you would like to sponsor any of our masterclasses, please contact info@lovewimbledon.org.

Elys opens up to Merton Shine Photographers

As the new photography exhibition in Elys launched featuring work from the community Shine Club based in Mitcham, the much-loved department store was full of laughter and chat with the creative children who took the photos explaining how and why they chose their settings.

Sally Warren at Love Wimbledon commented,

‘It’s inspiring having artwork displayed in our shops in the centre of Wimbledon and this was able to happen due to the partnership between local photographer, Cindy Sasha, Kristina Burton from the Mitcham Town Community Trust, Elys and Love Wimbledon. It’s the start of something new for Wimbledon’.

The photos will be exhibited in the womenswear department on the 1st floor until Friday 15 July.

Founded by filmmaker and photographer Cindy Sasha, the Shine Camera Club inspires children aged 8-10y to dream big and pursue photography. Cindy is no stranger to bringing art to Wimbledon and collaborated with us at Love Wimbledon to bring our free ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ bird mural to the high street.

“I never had the opportunity as a child to explore photography or to understand that it could be a career. Growing up in a working-class background to dream was impossible and opportunities didn’t present themselves like today. I want to make sure this camera club inspires and allow children to dream again.” 

Through Cindy’s trusting relationship with Kristina Burton, Project and Development Manager at Mitcham Town Community Trust, Shine Camera Club provides a safe learning space for children to feel inspired through creativity and to build their confidence to pursue photography in later life. During this Saturday club, children were encouraged to explore portraiture, still life and street photography, whilst learning about cameras, lighting, famous photographers and discussing the power of an image. Kristina Burton added:

“Shine Merton Saturday School is delighted to be working with Cindy Sasha on a series of highly imaginative photography workshops. Providing primary students with an opportunity to have a camera and take images under professional instruction is a true rarity. It is also a prime example of how children can thrive and shine.”

Jennie Ricketts, respected curator and former picture editor at The Observer Magazine, helped to select the images to be featured in the exhibition. She stated that her hope is for children to enjoy the experience of having their images displayed for an audience, but also that this experience may reveal a potential future talented photographer.

Street Lamp Replacement Starts Monday 11 July

Merton Council’s infrastructure team will be replacing lamp posts in Wimbledon Town Centre and across the borough

The programme begins on Monday 11 July, with some roadworks at the end of July / beginning of August. Traffic management will be in place for roadworks (local and emergency access will be maintained throughout the works where practicable).

 

Please follow these links for more details:

St Georges’s Road & Francis Grove – Road Closure – LC 1 to 8 St George’s Road & LC 1 to 3 Francis Grove

The Broadway & Queen’s Road – Road Closure – Diversion – The Broadway LC 1 to discon LC 12 – Queen’s Road LC 1A to LC 9 – Hartfield Road LC 27

The Broadway LC 1 to discon LC 12 – Queen’s Road LC 1A to LC 9 – Hartfield Road LC 20 to 27 – LC 1 Gladstone Road

Wimbledon Town Centre – Master Programme v4

 

ROADS AFFECTED

The Broadway
Gladstone Road (btw Sir Cyril Black Way and The Broadway)
Sir Cyril Black Way
Hartfield Road (Sir Cyril Black Way and Wimbledon Bridge)
Wimbledon Bridge
Wimbledon Hill Road
St George’s Road
Francis Grove
Alexandra Road (Wimbledon Hill Road to Orinico Lane)
Worple Road (Raymond Road to Wimbledon Hill Road and High Street)

 

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Phase 1 – 4
Monday 11 – Monday 25 July (14 days)
0800 – 1800h
During Phase 1 – 4 basic traffic management arrangements will be in place, on occasions the need to suspend bus stops, bus lanes, parking bays and introduction of temporary signals will be required to facilitate the works as outlined in the proposed master programme.

 

Phase 5
Monday 25 July – Saturday 6 August (10 nights)
2100 – 0500h
During Phase 5 night time road closures and diversions will be in place as follows:

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 July

  • Closure: Wimbledon Bridge (A219) Eastbound Only and The Broadway (A219) between Hartfield Road to Gladstone Road
  • Diversion: via St Georges Rd, Francis Grove, Worple Road (B235), Wimbledon Hill Road (A219), Alexandra Road (B235), Gap Road (B235), Haydons Road (A218), Merton High Street (A238), Merton Road (A219) and The Broadway (A219)
  • Closure: Queens Road between Queens Road Car Park Entrance to The Broadway
  • Diversion in place via Queens Road, Haydons Road (A218), Merton High Street (A238), Merton Road (A219) and The Broadway (A219)
  • Banned movements: no right hand turn from Hartfield Road into The Broadway
  • Suspend no right turn and bus lane: Worple Road turning right into Wimbledon Hill Road & Merton High Street turning right into Merton Road

Monday 1 – Saturday 6 August

  • Closure: St George’s Road, SW19 and Francis Grove, SW19 between Worple Road and St George’s Road
  • Diversion southbound via St George’s Road: Alexandra Road (B235), Wimbledon Bridge (A219), The Broadway (A219), Gladstone Road (A219), Sir Cyril Black Way (A219), Hartfield Road (A219), Wimbledon Bridge (A219), Wimbledon Hill Rad (A219) and Worple Road (B235)
  • Diversion northbound via St George’s Road & Francis Grove: Worple Road (B235) and Wimbledon Hill Road (A219)
  • Suspend no right turn and bus lane: Worple Road turning right into Wimbledon Hill Road
  • Suspend no left turn: Wimbledon Hill Road turning left into Worple Road