Wimbledon town centre is more popular than ever, with spending up 25 per cent on 2019 levels.

Research by Merton Council, Wimbledon Quarter, and Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District (BID) found people are spending more time and money in the town centre than they were before the pandemic, creating new opportunities for both businesses and the community.

Footfall on Wimbledon High Street has been steadily increasing since 2020, with 2023 and 2024 seeing record levels that frequently surpass those of 2019 ( Figure 1).

Figure 1 (left) and Figure 2 (right)Figure 1 (left) and Figure 2 (right) (Image: Wimbledon Quarter)

The research indicates that existing and new businesses are benefiting from this increased local spending, with Mastercard transactions, adjusted for inflation, rising sharply since 2020.

They are now 25 per cent higher than before the pandemic (Figure 2).

This has been matched by the opening of new cafes, shops, and restaurants in the town centre, such as Gail’s, and new leisure and experiential venues, like Third Space, contributing to a growth trend.

Wimbledon exemplifies London's 'village' concept, with its high street bouncing back faster post-pandemic than central areas as locals embrace a 'new work-life balance.'

The research insights were shared earlier this month at the Evolving Wimbledon Development Conference, organised by White Label and Love Wimbledon BID.

The conference, attended by businesses, investors, property owners, developers, and other key experts, showcased Wimbledon Town Centre’s successes and its strong future potential.

Councillor Eleanor Stringer, deputy leader and cabinet member for civic pride, said: "Wimbledon Town Centre serves as a model of success, offering a diverse and evolving range of leisure and hospitality that creates incredible opportunities.

"Merton Council is working to build a borough celebrated for its thriving high streets, ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors enjoy living, working, and spending time here.

"Through our partnership with Love Wimbledon and Wimbledon Quarter, we have gained valuable insights into the key successes of Wimbledon Town Centre’s recent growth into a bustling business area and high street destination.

"We are committed to ensuring that Merton’s town centres continue to thrive as hubs for local communities and businesses, and we will continue to seize opportunities to support their development."

Alex Woolf from Wimbledon Quarter said: "The strength of Wimbledon as an area has underpinned the transformation of a 1990s shopping centre into a new neighbourhood space for Wimbledon.

"We have been looking to bring in new uses where the residents and workers of Wimbledon can shop, work, play and train.

"The exciting new users we have added like Third Space, The Golf Groove, The Boardroom Climbing and Huddle (and many more) are all examples of businesses that recognise the strength of Wimbledon."

Craig Hurring, chief executive of Love Wimbledon BID, said: "Wimbledon Town Centre continues to outperform not only its own pre-pandemic performance but most other UK towns and high streets.

"The combination of residents rediscovering Wimbledon Town Centre, with the diversification of our leisure, culture and hospitality offer, attracting new and regular use of the town centre, has ensured that today Wimbledon is busier than ever."