3:12 AM
Shweta Pandey
A project to turn the route from Wimbledon station to the All England Club into a walking tourist attraction would bring the community together and give the borough a lasting Olympic legacy, it has been claimed.
The chief executive of Merton Chamber of Commerce, (MCoC) Diana Sterck, made the comments as she launched the Wimbledon Way proposal at the home the All England Club, but warned there was “only a year to do it”.
She said visitors would be guided along a marked route – which goes from the station to Wimbledon High Street and in to Church Lane – with “interpretation boards” along the way providing them with history, news and other information as they walk through three different zones.
Ms Sterck said the project – part of which must be completed in time for next year’s Olympics – would “bring the community together to embrace our heritage, the arts and the town’s connection with tennis”.
She said: “With an estimated 500,000 visitors to London, south London should benefit by providing a strong offer in relation to its accommodation, attractions and history and heritage.”
One of the zones, Victory Walk, would celebrate tennis events and personalities, she said adding the route could be dotted with public art installations and used year-round for events.
MCoC has secured some project funding from Young’s brewery, which has three pubs along the route – the Alexandra, Dog and Fox and the Fire Stables – and the Wimbledon Village Business Association.
It is also in the process of submitting a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for extra cash.
The Wimbledon Society and Wimbledon Film have also agreed to provide content and the group said it had support from the council and politicians.
Ms Sterck said: “With the support of Merton Council I know we can establish the Wimbledon Way as a permanent feature in SW19 and achieve the Olympic legacy for Wimbledon and south-west London.”
For further information visit wimbledongoingforgold.co.uk.
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