A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY
Merton’s town centres and shopping parades have suffered from neglect, with empty shops, poorly maintained pavements, and high streets strangled by traffic. Past Council leaders have failed to prioritise our high streets. Nowhere is this failure clearer than in Morden, where redevelopment has stalled for a generation.
To make matters worse, local businesses face extra costs and challenges due to the Government’s national insurance hikes and employment law changes.
Despite these challenges, our borough is rich in independent shops, pubs and restaurants. There are many start-ups, an award-winning National Trust site, and a creative economy stretching from William Morris’ workshops, through the film industry of the 1950s and 60s, and on to today’s tech sector – not to mention three wonderful theatres and seven public libraries!
For those who choose to live and work here, the Liberal Democrats want Merton’s economy to thrive: with culture, diversity and creativity at the heart of it.
1. Create distinct local identities for our high streets and town centres by upgrading shop fronts and public spaces, rooted in Merton’s culture and heritage. We’ll use new High Street Rental Auction powers to bring empty shops back to life quickly.
2. Supercharge Morden redevelopment (and actually deliver it). For too long, Labour have taken people for fools by constantly re-launching plans and announcing funds, while secretly pushing the project back to 2041.
3. Expand the limited Community Toilet scheme so residents have access to clean, safe facilities across the borough. The Liberal Democrats’ successful scheme in Richmond has 4 times as many toilets as Merton, with some open until 1am.
4. Explore better public transport links to the east of the borough, where poor connectivity has held back growth and opportunity. We’ll investigate options such as Very Light Rail or a new Thameslink station to benefit Colliers Wood and St George’s Hospital.
5. Strengthen the Night Time Economy with a plan to improve lighting and public spaces. We will also explore ways to provide direct support for local hospitality businesses (for example, by looking at what can be done on business rates, and the costs of pavement licenses), making Merton vibrant, safe and welcoming after dark.
6. Make Merton known for its creative economy, culture and diversity, building on the legacy of William Morris and Merton Park’s film studios in the 20th century, and our existing tech, art, and theatre industries. We are proud of Merton’s history and its diversity. Local celebrations can bring communities together, boost civic pride, and generate footfall for local shops, cafes and hospitality businesses.