Residents living near the Wimbledon tennis championships are expressing frustration after receiving numerous unsolicited food deliveries each evening. Queue attendees waiting to purchase tickets have been ordering takeaways to nearby properties, causing disturbances late into the night.
Residents report multiple daily deliveries
One local resident, Sarah Harris, 63, said her door was knocked on around six times a day during the first week of the Championships. "Puzzled" delivery drivers were unable to locate the actual person who placed the order, she explained. "It happened last year, but way more this year... I don't think I'm the only house."
Andrew Harper, 60, an architect, reported receiving one to two knocks a day from delivery drivers, usually between 9pm and 11pm. He said the situation frustrates him "greatly" and that there is "no point" contacting the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) for help. "They never do anything for us whatsoever, we don't exist as far as they're concerned," he added.
Tournament rules not followed
The code of conduct for the Wimbledon queue states that "any takeaway food deliveries must be arranged for collection at the Wimbledon Park Road gate only, and must arrive before 10pm." However, local campaign group Save Wimbledon Park said the rules are not being followed, with some residents reporting receiving a knock at the door as early as 3.15am with a delivery.
Penny, a Southfields resident who did not wish to give her surname, said the situation is "shocking" as she receives deliveries "consistently." She noted that while there are gates for queue attendees to order food to, delivery drivers sometimes cannot locate the individual and end up ringing doorbells. One local told her that her doorbell rang as early as 3am with a food delivery she had not ordered.
Structural issues blamed
Penny described the problem as a "structural operational issue" due to the lack of a central delivery point. She added that the queue and tournament have become increasingly popular, with social media influencers painting an "attractive" picture of attending the event. "It becomes a festival vibe and it's not a festival," she said, acknowledging that it is "wonderful" that tennis is becoming popular but noting the negative impact on residents.
One house has a sign reading "no food deliveries to this address" attached to their gate. The AELTC has been approached for comment.
