New Year, New Developments
Wimbledon is entering the new year with a surge in positive developments and placemaking across the town. The centre is an urban / suburban hub of good transport links, beautiful buildings, HQs, independents and cultural choice. It is recognised as a growth relocation area for businesses who want somewhere safe, convenient and affordable, the following projects will further enhance this.
Hartfield Walk Goes Green
Love Wimbledon has secured CIL funding of £120,000 from Merton Council to create an exciting new space – Hartfield Walk, to improve the area between Blacks and Robert Dyas on The Broadway. Working in collaboration with local creative business Firecracker Works, the project will see the reclaiming of an underused space being repurposed for the local community, providing a sense of escapism through an amalgamation of planting, seating, market kiosks, new lighting, environmental games and art. As well as presenting a place to sit and read a book in the afternoon sunshine, grab a bite for lunch or meet and connect with friends and family, Hartfield Walk aims to be a space which educates, informs and engages the local community. Through references to combatting air pollution and climate change, each component has been carefully considered to inspire local people of all ages to make a difference, e.g. through art, play, materials used etc.
New Homes and Workspace for the YMCA
YMCA St Paul’s Group has received planning consent from Merton Council to deliver a brand-new YMCA hostel in Wimbledon, consisting of 121 en-suite rooms to promote independent living, alongside an adjoining development of 135 new homes, plus an improved café, gym and fitness studio for wider community use. Read more about this here.
Polka Childrens Theatre Refurbishment Nears Completion
The UK’s first children’s theatre, Polka has been awarded a Capital Kickstart grant as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, worth £253,000. This will enable the local theatre to continue with their redevelopment, despite the financial challenge caused by the Covid-19 crisis. With just over £100,000 left to raise to complete this £8.3m capital redevelopment, Polka is due to re-open in Spring with a new café and open-access play spaces, improved physical access, expanded capacity for early years work, and a new rehearsal and community space.
New Forecourt for Theatre
A new paved front entrance to New Wimbledon Theatre, is due to complete by spring in time for the theatre reopening. The space reclaims part of Russell Road, enhancing the theatre experience by providing more room for theatre goers to meet before or spill out onto after. It creates a better sense of place for this landmark building. The works by Merton Council will also incorporate a new crossing, which had to be relocated. The project was developed through the Future Wimbledon consultation, which Love Wimbledon BID has been supporting.
We look forward to 2021 being a strong year for our town and businesses.
Check back to our news pages and LinkedIn for further developments and news.