Over £450 million has been invested in refurbishments and redevelopments across Wimbledon Town Centre in recent years, and the question increasingly being asked is not whether investing in Wimbledon makes sense, but where to do it. From commercial property in Wimbledon to hotels and SW19 office space, the town centre has become one of the most active investment locations in South West London.
What is striking is the range of amazing businesses that have made that decision. Wimbledon is home to every type of business – small artisanal shops, independent retailers, established national brands, hospitality operators and leisure businesses, professional firms, the list goes on. Whilst each business may be different in size and offering, each has one thing in common – they’ve chosen Wimbledon as the destination to grow their business empire, each strengthening the town’s offer in the process.
Infrastructural base is key for investing in Wimbledon
The key to a shrewd investment often starts with assessing the infrastructure within the area and how that feeds into wider business objectives. Wimbledon town centre’s transport links to and from the city are a key asset to business investors from outside of the area.
The town sits just six miles from central London, with trains reaching Waterloo station in 16 minutes, every two to three minutes at peak times. It is London’s only interchange where rail, underground, tram and bus links all meet. More than 600 businesses already trade in the town centre, 70,000 residents live on the doorstep and 35 million commutes pass through every year. For employers, that means a deep talent pool. For retailers and hospitality, it means a steady flow of customers.
For anyone weighing up Wimbledon Town Centre investment, those numbers matter as much as any development. Businesses that choose Wimbledon as the destination for business are plugging into one of the best-connected corners of the capital.
Wimbledon town centre investment continues to increase
The economic landscape is viable for investors looking to understand what opportunities lie in wait. The best indicator of investor confidence is the development taking place across Wimbledon town centre, and it is happening at a scale that is changing the shape of SW19. In recent years, we’ve overseen the following programmes:
- The £80 million Wimbledon Quarter transformation, delivering retail, leisure, dining, experiences and co-working spaces.
- The £45 million development of the YMCA site, including a new public square
- A flagship 177-room Travelodge hotel, with a boutique apart-hotel at Bank Buildings nearing completion and a new hotel under construction on Worple Road.
- 247 The Broadway, providing outstanding new SW19 office space.
Investment continues to arrive on the high street, with Danish homeware brand Søstrene Grene and Korean lifestyle and cultural hub Oseyo opening their doors. Marks & Spencer is remodelling and expanding its ever-popular store, and Wimbledon Quarter continues to announce new tenants. The hospitality scene is growing ever more vibrant, with recent openings such as The Fire Station Café, Oy Bar and Aimer joining a strong mix of established favourites.
The residential pipeline matters too. With new homes being constructed in the town centre and the extra hotel rooms taking shape, Wimbledon is adding residents and overnight visitors on the doorstep of the high street, deepening the customer base that businesses trade with all year round.
Investor confidence is high and here’s why
Positive figures illustrating Wimbledon’s increased footfall in the post-pandemic years has only added to investor confidence in the area. Research has found that Wimbledon Town Centre bounced back faster than other UK high streets after the pandemic, with spending levels in the past twelve months running 25% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Coupled with one of the lowest high street vacancy rates in Britain, it’s a picture few comparable locations can match.
Love Wimbledon plays a role here too, and not only in gathering footfall and insight data but using these fascinating insights to further strengthen the case for continued investment in the town. Our Evolving Wimbledon investment conference in 2024 brought businesses, developers and investors together to discuss the town’s future, helping shape the future of the town centre that has evolved over the past couple of years.
Finding the right commercial property in Wimbledon
So, what does all this mean if you’re looking for business space?
Wimbledon offers an outstanding location for businesses of all kinds, with a variety of high-quality spaces available, including coworking hubs, office suites and retail lots. From local resident shop owners to large corporate property trusts, there is a diverse range of property types and ownership across the town.
Love Wimbledon is up to date with availability across the town centre, so if you are looking to invest or start a business here, whether high street or office, speaking to us is a sensible first call. We can put you in touch with property owners and agents, including Lewis & Co and Andrew Scott Robertson, and point you towards the support available to bid businesses.
A world-famous address with world-class opportunities for growth
The Championships already make Wimbledon an address renowned across the globe. Beyond the tennis, investing in Wimbledon is an opportunity recognised by many businesses and entrepreneurs. A town centre with great transport infrastructure, ever-increasing footfall, more new businesses opening, and a supporting BID team at the epicentre of the local economy.
The businesses investing here now will be the ones shaping what Wimbledon becomes today and in the future.
Thinking of opening, relocating or expanding in Wimbledon Town Centre? Get in touch with the Love Wimbledon team at info@lovewimbledon.org or on 0208 619 2012. We would love to show you around.