As we approach Christmas, we have rounded up key information about changes and close downs of council and partner services over the period.
Waste and Recycling
For information about changes to your rubbish collections over the Christmas period, the Christmas Tree Collection Service, and Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre Christmas opening hours, see our round-up here: 2025/26 Christmas Waste and Recycling Collection Changes
You can also view and download a calendar of future scheduled collections. Click here for collection days for rubbish, recycling and garden waste | Merton Council.
Gritting & Leafing
We monitor cold weather reports and will post on social media when our gritters are scheduled to go out. Automatic messaging goes out on Merton’s JCDecaux digital roadside boards when temperatures go below freezing.
Our leafing programme ends the week commencing Wednesday 1 January.
Parks and green spaces
Idverde, our maintenance and horticultural contractors, will cover essential and high-priority services in parks and open spaces, including emptying litter bins and playground checks.
Cost of living
Food support
Merton’s food support services are operating seasonal opening hours, see below:
Sustainable Merton’s Community Fridge at Morden Baptist Church
The Community Fridge is normally open on Mondays and Wednesdays. They will be closed on Monday 22, Wednesday 24, Monday 29 and Wednesday 31 December, and will re-open on Monday 5 January.
Wimbledon Foodbank operates in various locations
Wimbledon Foodbank centres will be closed on the days they are regularly closed. Listed below are the seasonal opening hours for each venue:
| Elim Church Mitcham, Love Lane | Closed from: Friday 19 December 2025 Reopens: Saturday 10 January 2026 |
| Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden | Closed from: Friday 19 December 2025 Reopens: Wednesday 7 January 2026 |
| Pollards Hill Baptist Church, Wide Way | Open as normal on: – Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December – Wednesday 31 December – Friday 2 January |
| St John the Divine Church, High Path, South Wimbledon | Closed from: Friday 19 December 2025 Reopens: Monday 5 January 2026 |
Community Hub helpline – 020 8066 4086
The Community Hub contact number for cost-of-living advice and support has the following opening hours is regularly open from Monday – Friday from 10am – 4pm. The Christmas hours are:
| Wednesday 24 December | Open 10.00 – 16.00 |
| Thursday 25 December | Closed |
| Friday 26 December | Closed |
| Saturday 27 December | Closed |
| Sunday 28 December | Closed |
| Monday 29 December | Open 10.00 – 16.00 |
| Tuesday 30 January 2026 | Open 10.00 – 16.00 |
| Wednesday 31 January | Open 10.00 – 16.00 |
| Thursday 1 January | Closed |
| Friday 2 January | Open – Normal hours resume |
Warm Spaces
We have ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ at Merton’s libraries and community spaces, providing a warm place to anyone who needs somewhere to spend time out of the cold.
Find more information about Warm Welcome Spaces here: Warm Welcome Spaces
Please refer to Merton Link and Merton Libraries opening times below for open Warm Spaces.
Council services
Merton Link is Merton Council’s reception service at the Civic Centre in Morden, open from 9am – 5pm every weekday. The service will be closed on the bank holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Normal hours resume from Friday 2 January.
Merton Libraries and Heritage Centre:
| Wednesday 24 December | Libraries close at 5pm* |
| Thursday 25 December | Closed |
| Friday 26 December | Closed |
| Saturday 27 December | Normal opening hours |
| Sunday 28 December | Closed |
| Monday 29 December | Normal opening hours |
| Tuesday 30 December | Normal opening hours |
| Wednesday 31 December | Libraries close at 5pm* |
| Thursday 1 January | Closed |
| Friday 2 January | Normal opening hours resume |
*Please note that Colliers Wood, Pollards Hill, Raynes Park, and West Barnes libraries are closed on Wednesdays.
Please see list of Merton Library branches for normal opening hours, which differ across locations: https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/libraries/library-branches
School term and dates
For School term dates and holidays see here.
Mental health support
Merton Talking Therapies can help those experiencing emotional difficulties or mental health issues. The service is a partnership between the NHS and local voluntary sector organisations and is for anyone living in Merton or registered with a Merton GP, 18 years old and over. People can self-refer and find more information here: Merton Talking Therapies, iapt
A number of charities provide advice and helplines to support those facing mental health issues and isolation over Christmas: Useful contacts – Christmas and mental health – Mind.
In a mental health emergency, people can contact the NHS’s urgent mental health helpline on 0800 028 8000 (for South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust)
Emergency housing support/ rough sleeping
When the temperature is forecast to fall to 0°C or colder in any London borough, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated across Greater London.
Arrangements for the SWEP in Merton are as follows:
- If you become aware of a potential rough sleeper, please make a referral, with as much detail as possible about the individual and their location, to:
- StreetLink via their website, or on 0300 500 0914 during office hours
- Merton Housing Strategy Team during office hours on 07584 546 275 or 020 8545 3619 or 020 8545 4112
- Night Duty during out-of-hours on 020 8770 5000, who will, where appropriate, arrange emergency accommodation
For more information, visit: Rough sleeping | Merton Council
Domestic violence support
Incidents of domestic abuse increase over the holidays as people are at home together. There are a range of council-supported services available for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Visit: www.merton.gov.uk/domesticviolence
Stay updated
Keep up to date with the latest news from your council over the festive season and beyond by signing up to our weekly News InMerton and What’s on InMerton e-newsletters: www.merton.gov.uk/newsletter.
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