Wimbledon Town Centre Goes Tennis Crazy
Town centre screening as nearly 500,000 people head to the Village
Wimbledon town centre is going crazy for tennis this year, with tennis being screened live into the town everyday and the local Morrison's store has rebranded itself 'Murrisons'.
Love Wimbledon, the Business Improvement District, has lawned their Piazza, provided deckchairs for viewers and are screening tennis live into town every day.
Local school children, businesses, shoppers, visitors, residents and prominent Wimbledon figures, gathered on The Piazza to countdown to the live screening of the Tennis Championships on Monday (June 24).
Guests were treated to a strawberries and cream reception, whilst Paul Windsor, chairman of the Love Wimbledon Board, welcomed the excited children and Wimbledon crowd.
Business Improvement District Love Wimbledon, felt the Championships' atmosphere should be shared by all the people who live, shop or work in Wimbledon. Love Wimbledon have created a special 'court' on The Piazza equipped with a big screen, AstroTurf, deckchairs and festive food stalls so the tennis can be enjoyed by all in the Town Centre.
Helen Clark Bell, BID Manager said: "Residents and workers in Wimbledon are going to be celebrating with the many tennis goers this year, we are keeping our fingers crossed for a Andy Murray final and Laura Robson to do really well. It’s great to really celebrate the tennis and visitors who go to the tennis through Wimbledon will see our centre going tennis crazy."!
The big screen will be up everyday during the two weeks of tennis.
Meanwhile, Merton Council will also be busy as nearly 500,000 spectators head to the event itself, and has revealed the following key stats about the event:
- During Wimbledon fortnight an average of five tonnes of waste is collected each day from the waiting public outside the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC)
- During the fortnight, street-cleansing operatives work from 6am to 10pm to cope with the extra demand in the vicinity of the site
- The car park in Wimbledon Park is used by about 600 cars a day.
- Wimbledon is the largest single outdoor catering operation in the UK and environmental health teams lead on making sure everything is safe for visitors to the event.
- Merton works closely with Wandsworth Council and the Police to deter ticket touts.
June 28, 2013