The borough has been welcoming visitors for hundreds of years and a recent survey shows people are still attracted by all Merton has to offer.
A SURVEY carried out by Merton Matters has revealed visitors to the borough consider the area ‘an attractive and safe place.’
William Schmidt, 26, from Germany, studies and works in the Merton area, and has lived here for almost a year.
He said: “There are only one hundred and twenty inhabitants in my native village, so sometimes Wimbledon overwhelms me.
“I used to live in Croydon, but really, I prefer Wimbledon. It is a more attractive place to live, with more opportunities to go out, and feels safer.
“I think living in Wimbledon is an excellent experience, and I am truly happy here.”
Merton Councillor David Simpson, cabinet member for environment and leisure services said: “Merton has much to offer the seasoned tourist.
“We are set to enjoy particular attention in 2012 as we host the tennis during the Olympics.”
Particular tourist ‘hot spots’ include Merton Abbey Mills, Cannizaro Park, the Nelson Trail, and The All England Lawn Tennis Club.
These trends are nothing new, Merton has been welcoming visitors for hundreds of years having been settled by Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Normans at various times.
Today, according to Merton’s ‘Corporate Equality Scheme’, the borough consists of a quarter of the overall population coming from ethnic minority communities, with 21% of pupils in the borough able to speak another language at native level.
The borough also contains sufficient places of worship for a diverse religious community, including the largest Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in Europe.
Information is available for tourists, students and workers from abroad at the visitor information centre in Wimbledon library, and online at www.merton.gov.uk/visiting
