Craig Hurring

Craig Hurring, Chief Executive of Love Wimbledon gave an update on the Business Improvement District. On Monday afternoon, at the Time and Leisure Food and Culture Awards, there were four winners from Wimbledon - the Polka Theatre, Diba, The Alex pub and New Wimbledon Theatre. Several businesses also received Highly Commended awards. On Tuesday there was a Business Masterclass in conjunction with Merton Chamber of Commerce, focused on recruitment, retention, and employee wellbeing. These events are then made available as a Podcast.

Craig said that the Flight Centre is relocating its corporate headquarters to 120 Broadway from the beginning of April, bringing around 200 employees to Wimbledon. A virtual golfing experience, The Golf Groove, is opening in Centre Court in April, and a climbing centre, Boardroom Climbing, is opening in May. Third Space, a health club is opening in the autumn and lots of other new businesses are coming into Centre Court over the coming months.

On 1 April, the BID is celebrating 10 years of its market on the Piazza, with the Mayor of Merton visiting. They are also looking to have a special Coronation market in May, and looking to build a pocket park using old benches from Wimbledon Hill as a way to commemorate the coronation in May.

A resident said that pedestrian accessibility in Wimbledon is difficult, and the green man at crossings not long enough for some residents. Craig said he could raise this with Merton Council on behalf of businesses. They are also investing green measures including sustainability audits for businesses and have previously trialled the introduction of cargo bikes for businesses. Cllr Hicks suggested raising and issues with the traffic lights with ward councillors. Cllr Stringer said that Merton Council will be investing cycling infrastructure in Wimbledon.

A resident asked about what could be done to address the number of empty shops in Wimbledon. Craig said that Love Wimbledon cannot control what businesses the landlord puts in but can create a vision for the town centre to persuade developers and landlords which businesses will work. Love Wimbledon has provided data to Romulus and Hermes, both major local landlords to help them attract the right types of business, but it can be hard to reach landowners when they are part of a large property portfolio, like a pension fund. Love Wimbledon can also dress an empty shop with the landlord’s permission. If approached Love Wimbledon can also help businesses find premises by linking them with landlords. Whilst vacancy rates are considerably lower than national averages, some properties have been empty for a long time. Craig was also happy to hear ideas for what residents would like in the town centre.

A resident thanked Love Wimbledon for their work but said Hartfield Walk was looking in need to paint and cleaning. Craig said Love Wimbledon will be doing some additional work including painting, planting, CCTV, security lights, and a new tenant would be arriving following a tender process in April. A resident said that the cycle parking not big enough for adult bikes, and Craig said he would investigate this. Craig said he has asked for the cages around the trees to be removed. Craig said new street trees have been planted in Wimbledon in the area near the Polka Theatre, which he and Cllr Stringer had fed back to the Council following a previous Forum.

A resident said they were disappointed that Merton Council has given permission to redevelop St Georges House East. Cllr Hicks said this will have a huge impact and that following Merton approval, it also went to Mayor of London and Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities who decided not to call it in. The site is currently owned by pension fund so still possible the development will not be viable. Cllr McLean also said he did not support the plans and it would be devasting for town centre due to its height.