Tennis lovers are not opening their wallets for Wimbledon’s businesses, an expert has warned days before the start of this year’s championships.

Diana Sterck, chairwoman of Merton Chamber of Commerce, said research from last year’s tournament showed many sports fans who came to see Andy Murray, Roger Federer and the Williams sisters travelled straight from nearby stations to the All England Club without spending cash in the town.

This year the chamber will use a new visitor information point and a team of greeters to make more tennis lovers take advantage of local shops, bars and restaurants. This year’s tournament begins on Monday.

Ms Sterck said the competition was a “double-edged sword” for local companies - with some boosted by high visitor numbers and others losing out because residents go on holiday. Her opinion was backed by retail businesses in Wimbledon Village.

She said last year’s good weather was a blow for some companies, as long rain breaks often prompt spectators to explore the local area.

The new visitor stall has been set up in Centre Court shopping centre, while the team of greeters will hand out a brochure containing visitor information and adverts for local companies in front of Wimbledon station.

She said: “If people come to Wimbledon they get to know more about it, and if they enjoy their experience they will come back.”

Roozels Woodeson-Mortin, an employee at art and furniture shop at the Curzon Gallery in Church Road, just a few hundred metres from the All England Club, said the two week period was one of the quietest of the summer.

He said: “We get more timewasters.

“It kills business. It’s wonderful for pubs and restaurants but its no good for retailers.”