On Wednesday 13 August, Charles Runcie emailed the feedback below to Debbie Jevans (AELTC – CEO). This feedback was raised at SGRA’s public meeting on 22 July and concerns how the residents felt about the management of the Wimbledon Championships in respect of Wimbledon Park e.g. crowd management, lack of toilets etc. Fleur Anderson MP has agreed to chair a round table discussion, hosted by SGRA, with AELTC, Merton & Wandsworth Borough Council and other interested parties on 24 September at 7.30pm in St Barnabas Church. The outcome(s) of that round table will be discussed at the next SGRA public meeting on 30 September.
Feedback raised at 22 July SGRA Public Meeting
Lack of proper Governance
- It appeared that the lack of effective governance by MBC, WBC, AELTC and AELTC’s security contractors, could have had a dangerous impact in terms of health and safety. More effective signage and patrolling security may have prevented people defecating in the woods.
- Linked to this is the lack of ‘By Laws’ notices in the Park which would have made it difficult for them to be enforced.
- Limes bikes in Wimbledon Park, and for use of exiting the park were being ridden irresponsibly – i.e. straight at people including mums with buggies to make them move out of the way.
- We understand that there was a hotline number for people to ring to make complaints to make sure that issues are resolved quickly. However, it appears not many knew about it.
Lack of adequate toilet facilities
- Cllr Tony Reiss (MBC) said that he had submitted 3 pages of complaints to AELTC including the troubling issue of lack of toilets (which seemed to be going on for years during the Championships).
- The signage for the toilets could have been better marked.
- Also, re Horse Close Wood, there was no clarity in terms of responsibility from AELTC or MBC to either limit or stop people using these woods as a toilet.
- (For MBC) the locking of already established toilets in Wimbledon Park, may have led to people urinating and defecating in nearby woodlands in the park.
Crowd/queue management
- The stewards appeared badly briefed and could not answer questions satisfactorily.
- There was serious overcrowding on the platforms at Southfields Station, and the proposed ‘kettling’ technique appeared dangerous.
Community Ballot
- Someone said that those applying under the community ballot for two tickets had been refused because their address had already been used by other people under the same ballot.
Personal feedback submitted to members of SGRA Executive Committee (after the 22 July public meeting)
- Some of theyoung volunteers were unhelpful and/or impolite. They were also half hearted in their explanations and looked bored and disinterested.
- Incorrect information was given to a resident as to where ticket holders could enter the grounds. The resident had a ground pass and the assistants in Wimbledon Park said she could enter through any gate but the assistants at Gate 1 said she could only enter through Gate 5.
- Historically, a resident (who had been to Wimbledon every year since 1973) has been able to buy resale tickets for the show courts in the Wimbledon grounds in the afternoon. This year she was told by one staff member that she could buy them at Queue Village. The concept of Queue Village was not explained to her nor its location. Another staff member told her it was in Wimbledon Park but couldn’t explain where. Finally, she asked a volunteer in Wimbledon Park to explain what Queue Village was and where it was and then she understood that visitors can only buy resale tickets if they queue in Wimbledon Park (which would mean queuing the night before). This should not be necessary if you have a ground pass.
- Food outlets in Wimbledon Park were poor/unimaginative given the range of cuisine that’s available. They didn’t open until Monday 30 June despite the official queue opening at 2pm on Sunday. Is this a licensing matter? They were situated in Wandsworth Borough Council territory.
- Given that Wimbledon Park Rd entrance is open 24/7 during the championships, what’s the cut off point for campers if the queue is not official until the Sunday? Why did one steward try to prevent entry to campers and another did not? Official guidelines state that takeaway food should not be delivered after 10pm. Is that the cut off for campers arriving?
- Attendants spoken to were very engaging and had a good sense of what worked/was lacking in terms of toilets, signage, bike compound etc. I would suggest AELTC checks in with them in the park.
