Wimbledon to become ghost town? (From Your Local Guardian)

Wimbledon to become ghost town?

8:00am Thursday 8th January 2009

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The recession will hit Wimbledon harder than almost any other high street in Britain as major retailers fight closure, business experts have warned.

Wimbledon was named as Britain’s most cloned town centre in a 2005 report from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) in 2005.

“We run the risk of seeing empty, boarded up shops that are eventually taken over by pound stores or charity shops.”

Stephen Alambritis

Now if independent retailers cannot be attracted to the area, the clone town could become a ghost town with vacant properties rapidly filling the high street.

Stephen Alambritis, Merton councillor and head of public affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “If you look at those stores going into administration they are all chains. When you consider the findings of the New Economics Foundation report, this bodes extremely badly for Wimbledon.

“We run the risk of seeing empty, boarded up shops that are eventually taken over by pound stores or charity shops.”

Woolworths, the Officers Club, Pier and an outlet of Adams in Ely’s department store have all closed, and research group Experian predicts that one in 10 high street stores across the country will lie empty by the end of the month.

Wimbledon’s branch of Whittard's was saved after a last minute take-over of the company, but closures of other chain stores are predicted. Clinton Cards and JJB sports are among companies reported to be struggling with large debt.

But Mr Alambritis said that Wimbledon can be reinvigorated by an influx of more sustainable independent stores if business rate relief is given and lower rental rates are charged by landlords.

He added that the opening of the Westfield mega-mall in Shepherd's Bush, also offered an incentive for Wimbledon to redefine itself against the image of a clone town to attract new custom.

But David Ordman, manager of the Centre Court shopping centre, said that the NEF survey was “flawed”, taking only a snap shot of the Broadway and ignoring the variety of Wimbledon Village and Colliers Wood.

He also remained bullish about the town centre’s prospects over the next year. “It’s going to be a tough 2009 and everyone is going to have to work harder and smarter.

“But whatever risks that Wimbledon faces, they are the same facing Putney, Kingston, Sutton and other town centres.”

He said there are four vacant stores in Centre Court with interest in the sites from six parties - a combination of independent and chain retailers.

Mr Ordman added that although there were set rental terms, the centre would be flexible in drawing up a contract lucrative for smaller businesses.

Diana Sterck, chief executive of Merton Chamber of Commerce, said: “We would love to see more independent stores because Wimbledon needs to build on its unique offer that will draw people in.

“This down turn will change the face of town centres. Retailers will not be able to afford the rent of prime locations and the market is going to have to sort itself out.”

She added that refurbishing the front of Wimbledon railway station and offering inexpensive activities that will draw visitors to the area are also a priority.

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