Slideshow: Wimbledon Park

On the opening day of Wimbledon 2009, 14,000 fans queued for passes to the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where the wait was said to be up to seven hours. With so many fans descending on the tournament, one might expect trade outside the club to be brisk, but that is not the case.

Traders outside Wimbledon are suffering dwindling sales. Such a story is not restricted to Wimbledon, according to NCASS, a nationwide caterers’ association, spending at events nationwide is down 20-30 per cent on the year before. Where customers would happily spend £5-£10, they are now spending just a couple of pounds.

Ice cream sellers are, however, hopeful the heat will increase business. Inside Wimbledon Park, Villani ices, a family-run business employing three generations, is doing well. It has a monopoly on food sales in the park and the weather forecast is of greater concern than the possible impact of the recession on Wimbledon fans' spending habits.

A sign points to the kosher barbecue, the first one in Wimbledon’s 122-year history. It is a bit off the beaten track, but Rabbi Dovid Cohen is hopeful of success. Two yarmulke-wearing teenage boys are already waiting, having seen his venture advertised in the Jewish press.

Mr Cohen dons his sports cap and apron, ready to fire up the kosher offering to the eager tennis fans. He is confident he will break even; other food vendors are not so optimistic. But, he adds: “Don’t forget, we’re also halal approved.”