Hundreds of people have signed a Liberal Democrat petition calling for WHSmith and Waterstone's to stay in the borough after both closed their doors for the last time this week.
From January 13: Waterstone's and WH Smith confirm they are leaving Wimbledon town centre
There has been a huge outpouring of support after Waterstone's and WHSmith, which have been a high street fixture for many years in Wimbledon Bridge House, shut up shop.
Wimbledon Bridge House
The leases of the two companies ended this month and a planning application was already in place to convert the shops into a new Metro bank.
The Wimbledon Bridge House landlord wrote a letter in February 2014 in support of the plans for a Metro bank to take their place.
Campaigners reached out to Waterstone's and WHSmith (pictured below) in December to see if they would open other branches in town and launched a petition on Sunday, January 17.
Waterstone's (pictured below) told them "there isn't a plan at this point", and WHSmith did not respond to them.
The fridge, as it is known locally, is among the areas earmarked for re-development by Crossrail 2 plans.
Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett, Merton and Wandsworth’s Lib Dem candidate for the London Assembly worries the shops’ closure could lead to more businesses closing and called for the businesses to find other branches in the borough as soon as possible.
He said: "Vibrant and viable high streets are a key part of building and supporting the local community - they provide local jobs, things to do, and places to meet.
"Shops closing means fewer reasons for people to come to Wimbledon, which in turn will lead to more shops and businesses closing."
Christina Holland, asset manager for Hermes Real Estate - the landlord for Wimbledon Bridge House - wrote in February 2014 that a Metro bank would offer a "significant long term commitment and investment to Wimbledon Bridge House".
She wrote: "We are excited that a new Metro bank store would provide for a first phase of wider redevelopment works to enliven this important façade on Wimbledon Bridge."
Since Friday, January 15 more than 300 people have signed the petition calling on Waterstones and WHSmith to reopen in Wimbledon.
The petition can be signed at: http://www.mertonlibdems.org.uk/don_t_leave_wimbledon_without_waterstones_whsmith
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