Wimbledon Town Centre is undergoing a significant transformation, and Love Wimbledon, in partnership with White Label and Merton Council, recently presented the area’s impressive growth and dynamic future at the Evolving Wimbledon Conference. This gathering brought together over 100 delegates from local businesses, property investors, and key stakeholders, reinforcing Wimbledon’s position as a vibrant, evolving hub that’s open for business.
A Town Centre in Transition
At the heart of the conference was the discussion on how Wimbledon Town Centre is adapting to current economic, social, and urban development trends. What stood out was Wimbledon’s readiness for development, and commitment to creating an even more interconnected and prosperous community that offers something for everyone—from residents and students to local entrepreneurs and national investors.
Wimbledon’s open-for-business message couldn’t be clearer, with spend increasing by 122% between 2019 and 2023 and footfall increasing by 9.5% over the last year, compared to an average decline of 0.8% across UK high streets. Here are some of the key highlights from the event:
- Expanding Living Space: Merton Council is exploring options to convert former office spaces into residential properties, alongside new housing projects in South Wimbledon and Haydon’s Road. These developments will attract more residents, bolstering the local economy and enhancing Wimbledon’s appeal as a thriving hub for families and businesses. Additionally, student accommodation is a key focus, especially for UAL Wimbledon College of Arts, which remains a central creative hub in the area.
- New Developments Drive Excitement: Several redevelopment and refurbishment projects in Wimbledon are poised to introduce boutique hotels, engaging consumer experiences, and an enhanced retail landscape. These improvements reflect the area’s readiness to accommodate the growing influx of tourists and businesses alike.
- Wimbledon Quarter’s Huddle Workspaces in High Demand: In a testament to the desire for flexible workspaces, the new Huddle workspaces within Wimbledon Quarter are nearly at capacity before their official launch. This marks a significant step in positioning Wimbledon as a hub for professionals seeking modern, collaborative office spaces.
- Elys Department Store Success Story: Against national trends where many high street department stores are struggling, Wimbledon’s Elys continues to draw in shoppers and contribute to the town centre’s retail scene. Their recent shortlisting for a Drapers award for Best Independent Department Store further highlights their ongoing success.
Why Wimbledon Attracts
- Connectivity: The excellent connectivity of Wimbledon also boosts its appeal as a destination for residency, tourism, and business. Wimbledon has the only station to provide National Rail, Underground and Tram services in the UK.
- Sporting History: As the host of The Wimbledon Championships, the world’s premier tennis tournament, as well as a rich sporting history in rugby, cricket, football, rifling, and golf, Wimbledon benefits from year-round success for sports-related businesses. Councillor Ross Garrod discussed the commitment to being the London Borough of Sport.
- Culturally Rich: One of our panels highlighted the importance of the cultural sector to the UK economy. The sector generates more economic value than the Premier League, and Wimbledon is both a contributor to and beneficiary of this. The town centre is home to two theatres, two cinemas, and two grassroots arts spaces, and the community is also enriched by educational institutions like UAL Wimbledon College of Arts, playing a key role in driving creativity and innovation in the local workforce.
- Green & Sustainable: The success of Love Wimbledon’s Sustainable September event underscores the power of collaboration between local organisations and venues in delivering impactful community events and festivals. Additionally, the presence of green spaces, such as Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Common, plays a significant role in attracting people to the town centre while offering a vital boost to mental wellbeing. The proximity of these natural spaces is a key asset for Wimbledon, enhancing both the quality of life and the overall vibrancy of the town.
- People & Places: Wimbledon has become a prime residential area, particularly with plans for new student accommodations and its reputation as being a top location to downsize in the UK. Wimbledon Village stands out as one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, offering excellent access to green spaces and village charm. These developments attract business and bolster the local economy, reinforcing Wimbledon’s reputation as a highly desirable place to live, work, and invest.
The conference highlighted that Wimbledon’s offer is very different, being both a business and residential district that provides an unrivalled mix of connectivity, sporting history, culture, greenspace, and educational facilities. To make the day even more special, we arranged a surprise visit from Orinoco, a rare sight as Wombles are notoriously elusive!
Council Owned Sites for Potential Development
Merton Next Phase Sites: A key Strategic Priority for Merton is to create 400 affordable homes on surplus London Borough of Merton land with development partners. Marketing is set to begin in 2025.
Sites include:
- Battle Close, South Wimbledon
- St Georges Road, Wimbledon
- Broadway Car Park, Wimbledon
- Worsfold House, Mitcham
- Gifford House, Morden
- Chaucer Centre, Morden
Site plans are viewable at www.merton.gov.uk/newlocalplan
Looking Forward
The Evolving Wimbledon Conference showcased the future potential of Wimbledon Town Centre, cementing its place as a forward-thinking area on London’s business stage. Whether it’s the construction of new housing, the opening of innovative workspaces, or the growth of the local arts scene, Wimbledon is firmly positioned for success.
A huge thank you to all of the presenters and delegates who were part of our Evolving Wimbledon conference. If you’re interested in any of the opportunities in Wimbledon—whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or resident—get in touch with us at info@lovewimbledon.org.
