Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
A Tooting mural, the lido celebrates 120 years, Tooting discounts, a Furzedown fruit harvest, food & drink deals, new openings, and much more...
Our weekly newsletter is sponsored by Tooting’s family-run Lahore Karahi – a local institution since 1995! – who are currently offering 20% OFF all collection orders when you order direct via their website at lahorekarahi.co.uk. Ts & Cs apply.
What’s coming up at Tooting’s House of Ora!
SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST: 🌟 THE MULTIVERSE - Headline Show
The Multiverse bring their first London headline show to House of ORA - a night of energetic soul and R&B, unreleased music, and special guests Allysn & Zoka The Author. 🕖 Doors 7pm | Music from 8.30pm | DJ & bar until 1am. Tickets HERE.
SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST: 🎷 SOUL SESSIONS LIVE
Legendary Brian Henry (The Jacksons, Soul II Soul) and Nadine Caesar (Soul II Soul), backed by The Syndicate Band, for an unmissable evening of Soul, R&B, Neo Soul, Funk and Rare Groove – across two electrifying live sets in an intimate setting. 🕡 From 6.30pm. Tickets HERE.
Enquiries: info@wearehouseofora.co.uk
📍 House of ORA, 48A Mitcham Rd, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9NA
Just a couple of days left of Creative Workshop Week at Sprout Arts!
Workshop week started with a busy session creating stained glass effect panels and continues with acrylic painting, fun drawing sessions and traditional crafts. There are still spaces available, but booking is advised!
Over August there will be a series of talks and workshops run by their artists in residence, and in the autumn there will be new activities, including calligraphy and creative writing.
Join Sprout as a member (£15 a year) to get regular updates on what’s coming up next!
More info via sproutarts.com
📍Sprout Arts, 74 Moyser Road, SW16 6SQ
🥂🌻✨️ WANDSWORTH COMMON SUMMER PARTY, 5TH–8TH AUGUST – with a special offer for Tooting Newsie readers (see below)! ✨️🌻🥂
Four days of English sparkling wines, 100 craft beers & real ale, ciders, London gins, an all-day BBQ, live music* and summer celebrations await at Le Gothique’s stunning Secret Garden & Great Hall.
A family-friendly and dog-friendly festival, with something for everyone.
🎉 SPECIAL OFFER FOR TOOTING NEWSIE READERS: use code SAVE25 when booking to receive 25% OFF your tickets (Thursday–Saturday bookings only).
Wednesday 5th August: Preview Night (6pm–11pm)
Your £50 ticket includes unlimited drinks all evening, with beer, cider, English wine and gin tasting. (Food available separately.)
Thursday 6th – Saturday 8th August (1pm–11pm)
Join the festival for just £15 entry, with a fantastic selection of drinks, an all-day BBQ and live music on Friday 7th August.
AND your ticket gets you a FREE Commemorative glass & Programme!
Follow Le Gothique Restaurant, Bar & Wedding Venue, Wandsworth Common, London for the latest updates and any surprise additions along the way!
📍Le Gothique, The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, John Archer Way, London SW18 3SX. Tickets via Le Gothique.
*Live music is on Friday 7th August.
Pilau & Pilates fundraiser at Tooting’s All Saints Church on Brudenell Road – Saturday 15th August!
Event Organiser Iram Siddiqui tells us, “After the success of Karak & Kanvas, we bring you Pilau & Pilates, a ladies-only South Asian-inspired pilates and mental health wellbeing afternoon with a twist, combining Pilates, South Asian food & community connection in a warm and creative space.
“The event is being organised as a fundraiser in support of my upcoming charity deployment to Bangladesh with Reach Every Human, part of Human Appeal, a humanitarian initiative focused on supporting vulnerable communities through international aid deployments, community outreach, and sustainable support projects.
“The event aims to celebrate culture, creativity, and sisterhood while raising awareness and support for meaningful international relief efforts.”
📍 Bruce Hall, All Saints Church, Brudenell Rd, SW17 8DQ
📅 Saturday 15th August
⏰ 2pm & 3pm slots
Guests will enjoy:
• Pilates session with Anika from ARC Pilates
• Mental health & wellbeing talk with Iram Siddiqui
• Pilau and kheer for dessert
• Goody bag
Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.
Tooting-based property advisor Homes with Chuk has another fantastic property to sell...
“Some houses are just bricks and rooms. This one on the Streatham/Tooting/Furzedown borders is a home. 🏡
“I sat down with the family before it hit the market...to talk about the mornings, the memories, the bits they’ll miss most. That’s them in the video clips. Everything else, you can see for yourself.
“A few things that stopped me in my tracks:
“🛠️ The garage isn’t a garage anymore...it’s a full office with its own bathroom and electrics. Work from home, guest room, whatever you need it to be.
“🪜 A genuinely huge loft, just waiting for someone to turn it into something special.
“❄️ Air conditioning...and with the summers we’re now experiencing, that’s not a luxury anymore, it’s very much a feature – I would even suggest a necessity? 👀
“Streatham/Tooting borders, 3 bedrooms, an absolutely gorgeous sun-kissed south facing garden and a beautiful light filled home with a whole lot of style....that bathroom!😍
“Swipe through, and if it feels like the one for you, then you know where I am before it hits Rightmove, Zoopla etc next week.
“Born and raised in Tooting. Looking after a small handful of homes across Tooting, Balham & Streatham, personally.”
Need some property advice? Email Chuk at hello@homeswithchuk.co.uk, call 07940 546 190, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
Reformer Pilates x Strength Training! Enhance Fitness & Avalon Pilates in Earlsfield have joined forces to launch an exciting new collab: an 8-Week All Access Trial Pass – the best of both worlds in one brilliant package!
Over 8 weeks, you’ll get 24 expert-led sessions across both studios, mixing and matching to suit your goals:
✅ Small Group PT sessions (max 4:1 ratio)
✅ Group fitness classes including Pre/Post Natal
✅ Reformer Pilates
✅ Mat Pilates
Whether you’re chasing strength gains, toning up, fixing nagging niggles, or simply craving more variety in your training week – this pass was made for you!
24 sessions. 2 studios. 8 weeks. Just £475.
Enhance and Avalon each have 5 star reviews and have been helping loads of local residents get fitter, stronger and more mobile – with studios just a few minutes walk apart in Earlsfield and also in Clapham Old Town.
Introductory trials are also available at each studio if you’d like a taste before committing!
To find out more or book, visit enhance-fitness.com/pilates, email info@enhance-fitness.com or call 07716 506 009.
📍Enhance Fitness, 593 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4ST
📍Avalon Pilates, 10A Ravensbury Terrace, SW18 4SD
Award-winning Balham independent bookshop, Backstory, have all your summer reading needs covered with their new summer reading guide – available in the shop or via their website!
The guide’s packed with paperback recommendations from the Backstory team including fiction, non-fiction & kids picks – perfect for however you’re spending your summer!
Backstory is open 7 days a week and also has a bar serving coffee, using Volcano coffee beans, and also serves delicious, refreshing iced coffee. There are a range of teas, soft drinks and goodies from The Clink bakery.
If you fancy something stronger there is a selection of wine inspired by Noble Rot, beer from Belleville Brewery, or cocktails from Lockdown Liquor, and late night opening runs every Thursday and Friday throughout the year until 9pm.
Author events return in September with a fantastic line up including Victoria Hislop, Frank Gardner, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Hallie Rubenhold and more - plus there are three ticketed book signings coming up with Jacqueline Wilson in August and Robert Harris and Caitlin Moran in October!
You’ll find Backstory located at 71 Balham High Road, open 7 days a week. It’s also dog-friendly!
Local wellness practitioner, Gizelle Renee is hosting an immersive three-hour cacao and self-care experience in the breathtaking surroundings of Barts North Wing - one of London’s most remarkable historic spaces - on Sunday 13th September!
Gizelle would love local residents to attend, and is offering 40% OFF a ticket if you use code: NEWSIE40 when you book.
Gizelle tells us all about her very special event, “Situated within St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the heart of the City of London, the beautifully restored 18th-century venue is home to the magnificent Great Hall and iconic Hogarth Stair. A very special setting for an afternoon of cacao, sound and time together.
“We’ll begin by slowing down and stepping away from the demands of daily life as we gather to share ceremonial cacao. Cacao has a long history of being prepared and enjoyed within cultural traditions and community gatherings.
“Throughout the afternoon, you’ll be guided through meditation, breathwork and reflective activities, with opportunities for conversation, journalling and connection with others in a warm and welcoming environment.
“The experience will close with an immersive sound bath using crystal bowls, chimes and layered sound. Everything is provided for your comfort, including yoga mats, cushions, blankets and eye masks.
“Whether you are completely new to cacao or already enjoy it regularly, this is an opportunity to pause and experience cacao, meditation and sound in one of London’s most extraordinary hidden gems.
“Just come comfortably dressed and arrive as you are.”
Click HERE to book your ticket & use code: NEWSIE40 at the checkout for 40% OFF.
📍The Great Hall, Barts North Wing, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
Visit iambeing.co.uk to keep up to date with all Gizelle’s exciting upcoming events!
No joining fee at Energie Fitness Tooting until midnight Monday 3rd August 2026 (see below) - with some great deals on gym, classes, and Personal Training packages!
• Their Classic Membership, giving you unlimited gym access, is only £39.99 per month!
• Their WOW membership gets you unlimited class bookings from Pilates to calisthenics, yoga to strength and conditioning (and much much more), plus unlimited gym access, 2x guest passes a month, and multigym access (meaning you can attend other Energie Fitness gyms) – all for just £43.99 a month!
• And their EPIC membership gets you unlimited gym access, unlimited class bookings, 2x Personal Training sessions a month, 2x guest passes a month, AND multigym access!
Locally owned in Springfield Village in Tooting, Energie Fitness has top of the range equipment, fully trained staff and a fantastic team of instructors delivering incredible classes!
📍15 Seacole Walk, SW17 OZH. To sign up with no joining fee (usually £20), visit their website and purchase by 11.59pm on Monday 3rd August 2026!
There are lots of business offering discounts for NHS, emergency service workers and students in Tooting, Earlsfield and Furzedown!
We’ve created a list of businesses offering discounts – visit bit.ly/tootingdiscounts to find out more. And don’t forget to check back as we update the page!
London Centric reports on how the air conditioning in the 19-storey Britannia Point in Colliers Wood had been “switched off” on a flat-by-flat basis – but only for residents who were being housed there in publicly funded temporary accommodation.
Residents say the heat in the affected flats sent children to hospital, with one woman telling London Centric that her two-year-old son collapsed.
Full story via London Centric.
SPONSORED CONTENT
☀️ £5 SUMMER TUESDAYS AT Vermicelli IN TOOTING MARKET!🍕🍝
🎉 Every Tuesday this summer
🍕 Pizzas from £5
🍝 Pasta dishes from £5
Vermicelli’s £5 Tuesday menu is proving a huge hit, with tables going fast! Since opening in 2022, Vermicelli has been serving up authentic Italian favourites with fresh homemade pasta and artisan pizzas made from 72-hour naturally fermented dough.
This is your chance to enjoy real Italian flavours at 1990s-style prices — but not for long! Book via their website.
✨ Fresh ingredients. Homemade pasta. Authentic recipes. Incredible value.
📍 Vermicelli, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN
📅 Every Tuesday this summer
Unlimited sushi, unlimited satisfaction at Nami Sushi in Tooting Market!
Enjoy their All You Can Eat Sushi experience:
✨ Monday – Thursday: £29.90 per person
✨ Friday – Sunday: £32.90 per person
📅 Pre-booking only – spaces are limited.
Reserve your table now via their website and get ready for your next sushi feast!
📍Nami Sushi, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN
Eat-in only. Ts & Cs apply.
‘Eat Out To Help Out’ is back at Indian Room in Balham! Every Monday to Thursday until Thursday 6th August, get 50% OFF your food bill when dining in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner, drinks not included) – and you can do this as many times as you like!
To claim, book a table via their website and mention EOTHO in the comments section.
Owner Mubin tells us: “With the cost of living still showing no sign of easing up, we have decided to make eating out a little bit easier for you this summer.”
Using this offer, you could tuck into:
• Lamb samosas (£7.75), chicken jalfrezi (£15.95) & saffron pilau rice (£4.50) - total £28.20, minus £10 discount = just £18.20!
• Banjara chicken tikka (£8.75), Kerala fish curry (£16.95) & lemon rice with cashew nuts (£4.75) - total £30.45, minus £10 discount = just £20.45!
The award-winning restaurant offers a menu packed full of tasty starters, main dishes and sides from across the different regions of India. Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request, and they also cater for those with special dietary requirements.
Indian Room prides itself on making their cuisine as healthy as possible, without compromising on taste. All dishes are prepared without ghee and are therefore relatively low fat. They don’t use any artificial colourings, all meat is British bred from a farm in Devon, and only the freshest, seasonal vegetables are used in their cooking.
PLEASE NOTE: this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Open 7 days a week (including for lunch on Saturday & Sunday), at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9EZ.
Local residents Debbie & Camilla were busy harvesting fruit on the streets of Furzedown this week!
They’re planning to make jam with this crop of damsons (to be shared with the owner) as part of The London Fruit Harvest initiative by London National Park City, which organises fruit-pickers for fruit trees across London, that would otherwise go to waste.
Debbie leads The Furzedown Project’s Gardeners’ Group which runs a community vegetable garden and often visits London’s parks and gardens, including a trip to Springfield Park on Monday 24th Aug (new members welcome). Last year they ran a community apple pressing event!
Volunteers are welcome! Email Debbie at debmorey25@gmail.com to find out more.
From a boring fence to a Tooting masterpiece!
Have you spotted this mural on Hillbrook Road? The giant, colourful celebration of our neighbourhood featuring local landmarks, the Tube, International Day, and much more, is now on display for everyone to see outside Hillbrook Primary School.
The Spencer Ladies Lacrosse Club are holding their annual FREE Summer Training Sessions, starting this Sunday 2nd August, 11am-1:30pm, at Fieldview SW18 3HF. Further sessions, all coached by England International player Minty Loxton, will take place on the 9th, 16th and 23rd of August.
These sessions are open to all, even if you’re new to the sport!
For more info, email spencerwomenslacrosse@gmail.com
Tooting Bec Lido celebrated its 120th birthday on Tuesday, and to commemorate the occasion, members of the South London Swimming Club swam a mammoth 2116 lengths 3 TIMES – covering just over 360 miles!
A very happy birthday to the country’s largest open air freshwater pool – here’s to another 120 (and more) years!
On her 99th birthday, Polish Sue honours the memory of Łucja “Luna” Golińska, a devoted scout, social activist, and educator who played a crucial role in shaping the Polish community in Balham. Through her tireless efforts, she became a cornerstone of Polish life abroad, ensuring that heritage, culture, and education thrived for future generations.Full article via Polish Sue.
We 99 rocznicę jej urodzin, Polish Sue oddaje hołd Łucji „Lunie” Golińskiej, oddanej harcerce, działaczce społecznej i edukatorce, która odegrała kluczową rolę w kształtowaniu polskiej społeczności w Balham. Dzięki swoim niestrudzonym wysiłkom stała się kamieniem węgielnym polskiego życia za granicą, zapewniając, że dziedzictwo, kultura i edukacja będą się rozwijać dla przyszłych pokoleń. Pełny artykuł za pośrednictwem Polska Sue.
Tooting Works hosted its annual Summer Party this month!
It’s their way of thanking the tenants, co-workers, community hub users, partners and local residents who make Tooting Works such a special place.
Every pound of profit from Tooting Works goes directly to their on-site youth charity, Business Launchpad, supporting the next generation of young entrepreneurs. To find out more, visit their website.
📍 Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, London, SW17 9SH
COMING SOON TO TOOTING: BRM Jewellery is to open at 3 Selkirk Road, where Harringtons Eel and Pie House was previously located. We’ll keep you posted...
NOT COMING SOON TO TOOTING: Tesco Express will no longer be opening a branch at 61-63 Tooting High Street (where one half of Bargain Town was previously located) due to the no-stopping rule on the Red Route outside the premises, meaning that a delivery strategy was not possible.
We’ll keep you posted as who’ll be taking the space...
A beautifully summery display at the Tooting Broadway flower stall! 🌻💐🌷
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