WIMBLEDON IS GOING FOR GOLD

4th March 2009

Merton Chamber of Commerce launches major campaign in partnership with local authority and businesses

Today sees the launch of the Wimbledon Going for Gold campaign – a partnership between The Merton Chamber of Commerce, the local authority and the town centre’s businesses.

Going for Gold aims to raise Wimbledon’s game in the run up to, during and beyond the 2012 Olympics (where the tennis event will be held). The campaign’s main aim is to make the town centre better for business, workers and residents. It will encourage shops, restaurants and hotels to run promotions throughout July 2012, increasing footfall, and improving the public environment.

On 4th March, Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon, will address an audience of local businesses at a breakfast launch, offering his views on the opportunities Wimbledon has in the run up to 2012. Diana Sterck, CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, will call on businesses to get involved in the campaign, to beat the recession and improve the competitive position of the town. She commented:

“We are excited to be launching the Going for Gold campaign.  It will act as a central, coordinating point, unifying Wimbledon and making it into a destination location.

“Working together, Wimbledon’s businesses, landowners and key organisations can address the look and feel of the town centre. We have already received significant government funding for the project, and are now seeking support and pledges from local business, to make this change happen. This is about addressing the long-term needs of Wimbledon’s business community; it won’t stop at 2012.”

Going for Gold is run and managed by Merton Chamber of Commerce, the voice for business and enterprise in Wimbledon.

The London Borough of Merton is investing £120,000 over three years to support the Going for Gold campaign and this figure is being matched by business and other sources of funding. Merton’s Public Realm Strategy is seeing £2 million worth of improvements within the borough to ensure that Merton is a place that is attractive, competitive, safe and accessible and £300,000 will be invested in Wimbledon Town Centre.

Click Here to go back to news headlines