Is there a new neighbourhood being built in Merton?
Plus: How on earth do you get an ice rink into a shopping centre?
Good morning, Wimblers — I hope that everyone is having a fine Thursday morning. Big announcement: The Wimble’s Christmas print has arrived! Collection points will be announced next week and distribution starts this Saturday. When you do get your copy, tag us on social media to win a prize (see page 7 of the print for more details).
This week, we’ve got an interview with Sophie Andersen, Wimbledon Quarter’s marketing manager and resident ice rink aficionado. We raised the burning question of how on earth do you get an ice rink into a shopping centre (and out again)? Scroll down for the answer. Spoiler: it’s not easy.
We’ve also got your usual news snippets, a lavish property of the week and recommendations to keep you active for the coming weeks.
I also thought I’d take the time to remind everyone that we have an Instagram where you can keep up to date with our articles and Wimble news. Follow it by clicking here.
This week’s Wimble sponsor ⛳
This week’s sponsor is Caddi Club! Caddi Club in Wimbledon Quarter is one of SW19’s newest offerings. While it is the biggest indoor golf venue of its kind in Europe — talk about bragging rights — it is also a social hub, a place to grab a beer, a restaurant and, for want of a better phrase, just a really lovely place to hang out and get some work done. Caddi Club is also gearing up for Christmas with a bunch of offers for the festive season! Check out their website here.
News snippets 🗞️
🏡 A new neighbourhood with 586 homes could be built at a former gasworks on the border of Kingston and Merton. The gasworks have been there since the 1920s but have been redundant since 2007, and were officially decommissioned by Ofgem in 2012. Developer Berkley Homes has recently submitted plans to demolish the three gasholders and build five apartment blocks in their place. The proposed regeneration has been in the works since 2017. Read more about it in MyLondon.
🎤 “Oh, what a night!” Jersey Boys is returning to the stage next summer, and the tour is kicking off at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 17 June 2026. If you haven’t seen the musical, then you’ve been missing out. It’s outrageous fun and has all of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ greatest hits. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m a big fan. Read more about the tour here.
⚡ Merton has launched its Business Energy Efficiency Support Scheme. Essentially, the scheme offers energy audits and match-funded grants to help local businesses reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions. According to the council’s press release, “Businesses who have had an audit will be able to apply for between £3,000 and £15,000 for energy efficiency improvements to their premises or equipment, provided they are able to match-fund 50% of the overall cost and meet other eligibility criteria, listed on the Groundwork London website.” The grants will cover a range of measures, including solar panels, double-glazed windows, LED lights, insulation and smart meters. Click on the press release button above to read more.
💷 Bad news for bargain hunters among us: Poundland is set to close its stores in Mitcham and Sidcup as part of a major restructuring plan. The only silver lining is that there will be massive clearance sales before the Mitcham store closes its doors on 17 November. Read more about the closures here.
🎅 Is it too early for Christmas in South London? The Wimbledon Guardian is currently conducting a poll to see if the festivities have come too early this year. Have your say by clicking here.
Property of the week 🏡
You couldn’t ask for a better location than this four-bedroom home nestled between Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon Park. Each bedroom also comes with its own ensuite bathroom. I’m particularly fond of the dining room and those arched doorways, which make the property feel even larger than it is. If you’re lucky enough to land the ground-floor bedroom, then you can look forward to French doors that open up onto a balcony overlooking the garden. Talk about decadence. But what would this property set you back? Well, it’s currently listed for just shy of £3 million. Check out more photos on Rightmove.
The Wimble’s to-do list
🎄 Love Wimbledon’s Christmas market (week one): Yes, the time is upon us… The time to start your Christmas shopping. And I can think of nowhere better for it than Love Wimbledon’s Christmas market. The first weekend starts in two weeks from now, which gives you plenty of time to clear your calendars. There will be everything from delicious food and mulled wine to original art, home décor, bespoke jewellery, clothing, candles and much more.
Where: The Piazza, Wimbledon
When: Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 November (Thursday/Friday: 12–7pm, Saturday/Sunday: 11am — 6pm)
👟 Wimbledon Common 10k & half-marathon: This 10k and half-marathon is organised by Runthrough. If you fancy a challenge, you can sign up by clicking the link here. Tickets cost £30 per person.
Where: Meet at Richard Evans Memorial Playing Fields, SW15 3PQ
When: Sunday 23 November, 9.30am – 12.30pm
❄️ Wreath making at The Fire Station Café: Get into the festive spirit this year by creating a beautiful wreath just in time for Christmas. Guided by the experts at Blooms at London, you’ll have the chance to craft your own personalised Christmas wreath using a mix of moss, foliage, greenery, natural items and seasonal decorations. All materials are provided. It’s £65 per person, and this also includes a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. Grab your tickets here.
Where: The Fire Station Café
When: Wednesday 26 November, 7–8pm
🎭 An A-Z of Pantomime: This month’s National Trust lecture is led by Chris Abbott and takes a light-hearted look at some of the traditions, personalities and practices associated with British pantomime. Tickets are £4.50 for non-members, and they can be purchased here.
Where: Christ Church Hall, SW20 0RZ
When: Saturday 15 November, 3pm
🍷 Mum’s Time Out: This is a lovely event for all the mothers out there who fancy a glass of wine in a relaxed and safe environment. Head down to Artisans Depot in Wimbledon Chase today for a special November wine tasting. Even better news, this event should start running monthly from here on out. Tickets are £25 per person, and you can grab them here via their Instagram.
Where: Artisans Depot, Wimbledon Chase
When: Thursday 13 November, 1–3pm
ℹ️ Webinar: The Autism Assessment Process: This free webinar will explore what is involved in the autism assessment process, focusing on children and adolescents. The seminar will cover the assessment stages and explain the steps and experience from both a child and parent perspective. Considerations surrounding the initial decision to assess will also be discussed, with a balanced view of the possible impacts of a diagnosis. (This webinar is part of a series of monthly, free events brought to you by The Family Treatment Service.) Book your spot here.
Where: Online
When: Wednesday 19 November, 11am
How do you get an ice rink into a shopping centre (and out again)?
Wimbledon Quarter’s (real and not plastic!) ice rink launches on Saturday 22 November. To celebrate the opening day, there will be free face painting, free arts and crafts, free mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies as well as a Christmas market and carol singers! The Quarter’s ice rink is once again partnering with St George’s Hospital to raise funds for their “Time For a Change” children’s appeal. The aim is to raise £5m for children’s services. Click here to read more about their mission.
This week, I sat down with Sophie Andersen — Marketing Manager of Wimbledon Quarter and ice rink connoisseur — to talk about the ins and outs of building an ice rink. Scroll down to see yours truly in a hardhat pretending to get to work.
A version of this story appears in The Wimble’s Christmas print edition.
The Wimble: Let’s start with the most pressing question. What does it take to get the ice rink up and running?
Sophie: More than you would ever think. First of all, you have the actual ice rink itself. They don’t magically appear; you have to source that ice rink from somewhere else. We use this company called Ice Park that makes our lives a lot easier. There’s loads of random information that I’ve learnt about ice rinks through this process.
Do thoughts of the ice rink take over your life for the Christmas period? Do you dream about the ice rink? Do you have nightmares?
Definitely more dreams than nightmares, but it does invade my sleep time regardless. It’s a love-hate relationship, with the onus on love.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I think seeing it all come together. The best part is really Winterfest, which starts on Saturday 29 November this year. The ice rink will have been up and running for a week by then, but it’s just so lovely to see all of the stalls, events and skating on the same day. But I suppose one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is putting that first layer of water on the rink. Oh, and when the first person goes on the ice. That’s always really magical.
How do you actually build the ice rink?
The company arrives and puts the framework in. We’ve got these silicone pipes that run underneath the ice rink, and we use this cooling agent called glycol that gets really cold with the help of our coolers in the car park. These pipes freeze the water on the ice rink. But you can’t freeze it all in one go, as that risks the ice not setting properly. So you do it layer by layer with a thin mist of water.
And how do you know it’s been done properly?
You watch [the experts] do it.
When do you finally relax? Is it when the ice rink is up and running, or is it when it’s over?
I suppose I’ll relax towards the end. A big part of my job is trying to get the 33,600 tickets sold. And then there’s also the maintenance of the rink. The team we have on hand is brilliant, but it takes a lot of work. They scrape the ice after every skating session and at the start and end of every day. But my main concern is making sure our customers and the community are getting the most out of the rink. We don’t set out to make loads of profit with the ice rink. The whole idea is to offer something special to our community.
This week we’re reminding readers of our rather lucky ice skating deal! Wimbledon Quarter has very kindly offered ALL Wimble readers a 15% discount off tickets for their Christmas ice rink throughout the festive season! Talk about a bargain. Claim your discount by using the code “WIMBLEREADER” when buying tickets here. Aren’t we lucky?
Question of the week 🔍
Last week, I asked which famous architect designed the house at 22 Parkside in Wimbledon. The answer: Richard Rogers
Q: Which of these famous singers grew up in Wimbledon Chase?
You’re up to date 👋
Thank you for reading this week’s edition. Keep an eye out for our Christmas edition. If you have any ideas or stories, send them to zak@thewimble.com with the subject line: STORY. That’s it from us for now. See you next week!