Alex Woolf, Romulus

Alex Woolf, from Romulus UK, gave a presentation on the developments of Centre Court shopping centre. The presentation is attached to this report.

Alex said that Romulus is a family-owned business and has been in operation for 50 years. Romulus plans to invest and stay in centre court for the long-term. There is a large in-house team working at Centre Court. Romulus has similar long-term projects in other parts of London.

Alex said that Centre Court was not the same as it was in 1990 with the anchor tenant leaving along with lots of other retailers. Romulus wants to transform Centre Court to a hub for the community, residents and workers in Wimbledon. This will include new shops, new gyms, and new workspaces, bringing jobs to the area. Centre Court was built as a closed off cul-de-sac designed to face inwards, towards the anchor store. Romulus wants to open it up and connect it to wider community. There will not be any demolition, as Romulus will retain the existing centre but then add value. Alex said they want to create more accessible spaces like a courtyard, and links to Queens Road. This will help celebrate the historic aspects of the neighbourhood.

Romulus has worked with local partners such as Polka theatre, Sustainable Merton, and local artists. They have created a new roof top farm producing mushrooms, using coffee grinds, and honey from new beehives. It is important to be imbedded in the community, and lots of the team are local.

Alex said there will be new shops, a new food and beverage food court on the ground floor; leisure use of space; and flexible workspaces. A new entrance on Queens Road will open the frontage of fire station. They have already taken off the roof over courtyard and have just installed a new sliding root. The Centre will be able to host events in that space and become a hub for people to linger.

Romulus is focused on keeping current shops as much as possible but will also bring in new retailers. New gym and leisure operators are already secured, and others will be announcing in coming months. They also will have an active market space. The first new tenant will be opening early 2023, Third Space gym and Boulder Climbing will be opening later in 2023. Most other works will be complete by March 2023.

A resident asked if Romulus owned, and managed Centre Court and Alex said they did. A resident asked what the budget for these works is and Alex said this is not a short-term project and Romulus will look to constantly invest of a long period. A resident asked when will centre court look like the pictures in the presentation. Alex said the open spaces will be completed by March, with new tenants joining over the next 8-12monts, so this phase will be completed by March 2024.

A resident asked if Romulus was looking to include smaller or independent traders as well as chains. Alex said that while chains are important, they do want to bring in independents. For many independent stores it is too early for conversations with them as the spaces are not ready to view. This will be a key part of strategy especially in food and beverage.

A resident asked if there will be a meeting space for smaller groups. Alex said this will be considered, and Huddle workspace provider will have flexible workspace and meeting spaces. A resident asked if the Centre will continue to have pop-up kiosks and Alex said they would but they want them at a higher quality than previously and to add value and life to the centre.

A resident asked about the tarmacking of trees outside the centre. Alex said he will need to check with colleagues on the reasons for using the resin bonded gravel but greening the Centre is very important. They will be installing new greening on Queens Road.

A resident asked if this is the only phase of development and Alex said they will be looking to develop further. They will be looking to build on top, but this will be limited by the structure, and it will be sensitive to the surrounding area. Alex will come back to do more engagement with residents once these plans are more developed.

A resident asked if new restaurants and shops will draw in new customers. Alex said Centre Court cannot compete with Westfield so they will need to adapt to meet local needs. The new courtyard space will create a lively heart of the town centre with events, performers and seating. The changes to Queens Road will help as well, creating a mixed-use centre.