Spend Local – Support your local businesses
With the closure of Wandsworth Bridge to vehicles for 10+ weeks we know that many businesses are worried about what that may mean for trade and footfall on the Wandsworth Bridge Road. There is also an opportunity during this time to take advantage of the quieter road by making it a much more pleasant road for people to spend time on. While the bridge is closed to vehicles it is still open for people to cross.
Some businesses have already obtained licences for outside seating and we are looking at what other activities can help to create a draw to the road. Ideas include music nights, pop-up stalls on the pavements, mini market at Barton House, street art, etc.
If you’re a business and are running any special events, promotions, offerings, please let us know and we can promote them via our monthly newsletters and/or on our social media channels. (info@wbrassociation.org.uk)
The current economic climate
The current economic climate has been challenging for High Streets right across the country. Shoppers scaled back on their spending in June right across UK High Streets and many are seeing empty units in normally strong High Streets. Even Oxford Street landlords are now offering 6 months free rent to small retailers!
While the Wandsworth Bridge Road has seen some closures there are positive signs for the road too. Over the past year alone we have seen 3 new coffee shops, a new pet shop, a spa, a wine bar and now a new gym, new salon and new florist!
During the pandemic Wandsworth Bridge Road faired much better than other High Streets in the borough with higher footfall and spending. They attribute this to the wide selection of independent shops in the area!
Support your WBR businesses
The WBR businesses need our support.
So, please come out and take advantage of the quieter road by shopping, spending time and supporting the local businesses.
THE WBR is unique in that the vast majority of shops are small, independently owned businesses.
They also provide a great variety of offerings! While you may already have your favourites now is a great time to explore everything this road has to offer!
When was the last time you went to Chai Thali or Thaiphoon for some spice?
Or had a coffee at ALL the coffee shops on the road, including the ones at the far ends (Namaste at the south and 21 Grams at the north)?
Picked up a beautiful organic joint for Sunday Roast from Randall’s and asked Kenrick’s Wines for an expert recommendation to go with it?
Had Pizza and Champagne at Bridge Baker,
Met friends for wine and nibbles at Brinkleys or Fulham Wine bar?
When did you last buy your essentials from Planet Plenty?
Or grabbed a fully-loaded Toastie from the the new Toastie Shop?
Or popped into Paggs for tasty and lively lunch?
Or picked up your fresh fruit and veg from Fulham Natural or gorgeous cheeses from Chanteroy?
Pampered yourself with a spa or beauty treatment from the numerous salons?
Or went into RD Stores for any of your 1001 DIY needs (I mean seriously, they have EVERYTHING in there!)
Not to mention all the Interior Design showrooms; rather than heading to an impersonal online store, visit the experts in our local Tile, Carpet, Lighting, Furniture and Kitchen Design shops!
This road has a HUGE range of offerings; everything from organic Butchers to Sushi, Wine bars to Dentists, Chiropractors to Bath bombs!
Where we can all make a choice to support our local shops, we should. Even small spends, shared across the road, can make a big difference.
Please help support the local businesses by spending your money with the dozens of small independent WBR shops!