Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Tooting Food Festival this weekend, 20mph speed limit to come, lots of food & drink deals, a free book swap, new openings, and much more...
Our weekly newsletter is sponsored by Tooting’s family-run Lahore Karahi – a local institution since 1995! – who are offering 20% OFF all collection orders until the end of February, when you order direct via their website at lahorekarahi.co.uk. Discount applied automatically at checkout.
TOOTING FOOD FESTIVAL this weekend in Tooting Market and Broadway Market, 14 & 15 February, 1pm-8pm!
Alongside food, there’ll be music and storytelling with a two-day celebration of food, heritage and community!
Festival-goers will be able to purchase Food Tokens to sample dishes from participating traders, allowing them to explore Tooting’s culinary diversity through the weekend!
There’ll also be live music on both days, and visitors can also join guided tours exploring Tooting’s rich food heritage and local stories, offering an insight into the people, places and histories that have shaped Tooting’s food culture and community.
The festival atmosphere will continue into the evening, with more live music – and in partnership with a market bar, the London Borough of Culture “Culture Twist” cocktail will also be available to raise a glass to the occasion.
The festival is presented as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025: Welcome to Wandsworth, a year-long programme highlighting the borough’s creativity, cultural diversity and local stories, led by Wandsworth Council.
For more info, including how to book a free tour and to purchase Food Tokens, visit Tooting Food Festival.
Join the Healthwatch Wandsworth WCA Assembly on Tuesday 24th March, 4pm-6pm and help to develop neighbourhood health services.
Join Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly for nibbles and drinks at Wimbledon Common Care Home, 6 Victoria Dr, SW19 6AB to help them make sure the community voice is at the heart of the government’s new plan for neighbourhood health services. Come along to hear more about this plan and tell them what you think.
Full info and booking via Eventbrite.
A 20mph speed limit is to be introduced on Tooting Bec Road/Trinity Road (A214) from 28 February.
Works to the carriageway are scheduled between Monday 9th and Saturday 14th February, and will be carried out overnight (working hours 10pm to 4am).
The new speed limit is part of TfL’s Vision Zero Action Plan to reduce road danger, including proposals to implement safer speeds on the roads they operate and manage across London.
More info via the TfL website.
MP for Tooting Dr Rosena Allin-Khan’s Safe Space initiative is available for anyone who feels at risk walking home.
If you’re walking past a local business that has one of her Safe Space logos, then you can go in to the business to ask for help, and the business will offer you a place of safety.
The business owner will also give you somewhere to charge your phone, or call a taxi or the police, if necessary.
There is also a useful map of the local businesses that are taking part in the Safe Space campaign across Tooting, Earlsfield and Balham.
For the full list and map (or if you’re a local business who’d like to sign up), see Dr Rosena’s website.
Wandsworth Council and Enable are deciding on the final design of the playground at Garratt Green in Tooting/Earlsfield, and are welcoming feedback from local residents.
A proposed playground design intended to support inclusive and accessible play has been shaped by feedback from a public survey, drop-in sessions, a workshop with Year 9 students at Burntwood School, and an online forum with people who have lived experience of disability or who support disabled children.
To see the feedback from the first round of engagement, and to have you say on the future of the playground, visit the council’s website here.
You can request a paper copy of the survey by emailing parks@enablelc.org
There will also be a drop-in session at the playground on Saturday 21 February, 10am-1pm.
The consultation closes on Friday 27 February.
A Tooting resident who lost his brother to suicide has created a letter-writing platform aimed at preventing similar tragedies - and more than 600,000 messages have already been sent within a fortnight, reports My London.
Ben West, a mental health advocate, lost his younger sibling Sam to suicide on January 21, 2018, aged 15, after discovering him unconscious. From that point onwards, Ben described the world as becoming an “incredibly painful” place, and he has dedicated himself to mental health advocacy ever since.
On January 21, 2026, marking the anniversary of his brother’s death, Ben unveiled Reasons to Stay - a suicide prevention initiative enabling strangers to compose anonymous letters for those battling mental health difficulties. Since its launch, over 600,000 letters have been dispatched by people wishing to offer support to those experiencing mental health challenges.
Full story via My London.
Tooting-based property advisor, Homes with Chuk, looks back at a packed January, and looks forward to the months ahead…
January – done ✔️...and it’s been a busy one!
The last few weeks across Tooting, Streatham & Balham saw new homes come to the market, sales agreed, a couple of exchanges, and plenty of new buyers registering and viewing.
There have been plenty of flats around Tooting, so there is a choice for first time buyers – plus good houses which are well priced are certainly in demand.
Similar to Tooting, Streatham has a fair number of first time buyer homes available – family homes are proving to be very popular.
There aren’t as many homes available in Balham to meet the demand, so buyers are exploring neighbouring Streatham Hill & Tooting Bec to understand what they can buy.
We’ve been sharing lots of ‘Meet The Neighbours’ posts – I’m so pleased that everyone gets to see some of the fabulous businesses we have in the local areas. Much more ‘MTN’ to come!
Mortages: Katy Eatenton (Independent Mortgage Advisor) says, “The property and mortgage market has clearly shifted recently – rates are now some of the lowest we’ve seen since 2022, with banks lending up to 6 x income to get the market moving.”
Ready For Spring? ☀️ This wet and grey weather won’t be around for long and Spring will soon be with us. I have some gorgeous homes available for sale all with private outside space, plus a park moments away. Perfect for enjoying the warmer days ahead!
If you have a home in one of the mentioned locations, I may have the perfect family ready to buy your home. Please reach out for a chat.
If you’re thinking of selling, a quieter, off-market approach can sometimes work just as well, if not better!
If 2026 is your year to move, let’s have a chat!
Need some property advice? DM Homes with Chuk, 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!
Meet Dr Ali Daftari, a new periodontal specialist who’s joined the team at Ten Dental on Balham High Road – here to keep your gums healthy and your smile looking its best!
Dr Ali is a Specialist Periodontist with advanced training in treating and regenerating the tissues that support your teeth.
He has a particular interest in aesthetic gum concerns, helping patients with issues like gummy smiles and gum recession, as well as treating gum disease and providing long-term care for complex periodontal conditions.
Dr Ali tells us: “Good dental health relies on the condition of the tissues that support our teeth – that’s where I come in! My main focus is helping patients benefit from specialist periodontal care, whether that’s treating gum disease or addressing aesthetic concerns.
“I’m delighted to be part of the Ten Dental team and looking forward to helping the Balham community with their gum health.”
To find out more and to book an appointment with Dr Ali, WhatsApp 07907 366 397, call 020 8675 1798, email hello@tendental.com or pop in!
Ten Dental is located at 156 Balham High Road, with a clinic in Clapham too.
You can also visit their website at tendental.com
Meet Rachael & Carys from Tooting’s Staged By The Property Ladies, a home staging & interiors company helping homes sell faster across London!
Rachael & Carys, long-time friends and mums with deep roots in Tooting, tell us more:
“Home staging is about presenting a property so buyers walk in and instantly think, ‘I want to live here.’ On average, staged homes sell 73% faster and for 8-10% more than unstaged homes.
“Before property, our backgrounds were firmly people-focused. Rachael worked as a social worker and Carys as a children’s nurse – working locally at St George’s Hospital and within nearby schools. Those values of listening, care and understanding still shape how we work today.
“Over the past five years, we’ve built our experience in the property world and recently took a leap by launching our home staging business, driven by a shared passion for creating homes that work harder for the people who own them and feel better for those who walk through the door.
“Whether your property is about to launch or has been sitting on the market longer than expected, we’d love to help you get it sold. By carefully highlighting the flow, scale and function of a space, we make sure your listing stands out and creates the emotional connection that drives real interest and offers.
“We’re offering an initial 8-week hire period, along with 10% off for local residents who book with us this February! ✨
“Are you a homeowner struggling to sell? We’d love to help.
“And if you’re a local estate agent or developer, we’d love to chat about partnering and supporting your listings.”
Get in touch for a free quote or a chat with Rachael & Carys:
📧 hello@stagedbythepropertyladies.com
📞 020 8945 3022
🌐 www.stagedbythepropertyladies.com
And follow them at Staged by The Property Ladies on Instagram to see more of their work!
Nestled in the heart of Tooting, About YU Salon offers expert styling and treatments delivered with warmth and precision, inviting you to a place where elevated beauty meets everyday ease.
They’ve now expanded into the space upstairs, providing side-by-side massage, full-body rituals, aesthetics, and advanced skin therapies – alongside hairdressing, discreet body waxing, manicures and pedicures downstairs.
Whether returning (or visiting for the first time) alone or alongside someone close to you, it’s a place to slow down, switch off, and settle in.
About YU. A place to return to.
To see their full list of services, and to book, visit their website.
📍 166 Tooting High St, London SW17 0RT
📞 020 8073 2020
At age 2, Tooting-born Leni Forrester has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPSIIIB), also known as Childhood Dementia, an extremely rare & very severe neurodegenerative genetic condition.
Children with this condition have a defect in a single gene that prevents them from breaking down a sugar molecule called heparan sulfate, causing toxic waste to build up in the brain & body.
There is currently no treatment or cure, but there is a promising experimental Enzyme Replacement Treatment that has been proven to be incredibly effective. The company that owns the licence to this treatment is working hard to make this treatment urgently accessible to those who need it.
Raising £200,000 is the only way for the family to potentially access the treatment – you can donate to help the Forrester family reach their target via the GoFundMe page.
Children with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B lose (in a short space of time) all skills once learned, experience severe behavioural challenges, hyperactivity, insomnia, seizures, a total loss of cognitive & motor function, & a premature death in their early to mid teens, as well as many other symptoms.
Leni’s mother Emily said: “Leni will soon lose the ability to walk, talk, laugh, eat, & then eventually her life to this condition.”
“With Leni’s condition weeks & months matter as the damage cannot be reversed once it is done. The difference between her getting access to this treatment now & in a year could be the difference between a near-normal life & a significantly shortened one with the severe mental & physical disabilities.”
If unsuccessful in accessing this specific treatment, then funds will go towards any future treatments that may become available, providing for Leni’s complex medical needs, & improving her quality of life. The family will also donate funds to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity which is providing Leni with world-class care, & Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, the only charity dedicated to Sanfilippo Syndrome.
Updates on Leni’s journey can be seen on @saving_leni (Instagram) & on her GoFundMe page.
RSPCA South London is looking for a home for Iris and Marigold!
The local charity is looking for a loving home for Iris and Marigold, two playful and affectionate sisters. They are about 3 months old and will be ready to join their new family from mid-February, once they have received their second vaccination.
These sisters are fully weaned, litter trained, and love spending time together. They enjoy playing and cuddling, and are friendly and confident, making them suitable for families and households with lots of love to give.
As part of the adoption process, they will need to be spayed, but this will be covered as part of the adoption.
If you are interested in giving Iris and Marigold their forever home, please email the RPSCA at enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk
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Brush & Bubbles at Flora in Tooting Market this Saturday 14th February!
After the huge success of their first Brush & Bubbles event, Flora is delighted to introduce TWO sessions, giving everyone more time to truly enjoy the experience of painting, whilst indulging in drinks and tapas!
🕒 Two relaxed sessions to choose from:
• Session 1: 3pm – 5pm
• Session 2: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
🎟️ Tickets: Bottomless Drinks & Tapas – £39.90
Your ticket includes:
• Two hours of bottomless drinks during your session (bottled beer, wine and prosecco)
• Two delicious Spanish tapas dishes
• All painting materials provided: canvas, easel, brushes, paints, apron and gloves
🎶 There’ll also be a live DJ creating the perfect atmosphere!
No matter who you’re coming with, Brush & Bubbles is all about good vibes, creativity, laughter, great food and flowing cocktails.
The last Brush & Bubbles event sold out quickly, so grab your tickets soon before they disappear again!
Book via Flora.
To celebrate the start of the Six Nations, Indian Room Balham have got a fantastic takeaway / delivery offer running right through until the end of February!
GET 10% OFF + another £8 OFF your order + FREE poppadoms + FREE delivery, when you order direct via their website at indianroom.co.uk. Simply use code: RUGBY26 at the checkout! The minimum spend is £25.
Located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, the award-winning Indian Room offers a menu packed full of delicious starters, main dishes & sides from across the regions of India.
The restaurant prides itself on making their cuisine as healthy as possible, without compromising on taste. All dishes are prepared without using ghee and therefore, relatively low fat. They don’t use any artificial colourings, all meat is British bred from a farm down in Devonshire and only the freshest, seasonal vegetables are used in their cooking.
Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request & they cater for special dietary requirements.
To order online (or book a table), visit their website at indianroom.co.uk
Wines from Tooting-based The Urban Wine Company have been flying off the shelves in recent weeks – and you can now order all three wines online!
Whether you’re celebrating the end of Dry January, planning for Valentine’s Day, or
simply fancy treating yourself to something special, The Urban Wine Company’s critically acclaimed Tooting wines are produced using locally sourced grapes.
Their 3 Wines are:
🌸 Tooting Rose Fizz (£25) - A unique pink fizz bursting with summer berries and packed full of refreshing bubbles. A perfect valentines day sparkle.
🥂 Tooting White Fizz (£30) - Citrus and light blossom aroma. Cheeky, refreshing and off dry with plenty of bubbles. A perfect Valentine’s Day fizz.
🍷 Tooting Red (£20) - Made from English Rondo grapes with smooth blackberry flavours and a hint of sweetness on the long finish
Run by local resident, Richard Sharp (pictured), The Urban Wine Company is a brilliant community programme that transforms urban green spaces into vineyards, with residents annually contributing grapes from their back gardens, allotments and balconies. It’s sustainable, locally-sourced winemaking at its finest – celebrating community winemaking, and at the same time reducing food miles!
You can order bottles online at and there’s a pick-up option too.
Free local delivery (within 2 miles) is available for orders of 4+ bottles – email urbanwineuk@gmail.com to arrange!
10% OFF Mondays at Phakoon! Enjoy 10% OFF at Earlsfield Thai restaurant Phakoon every Monday from now until the end of April, whether you’re dining in or ordering takeaway!
Beat the Monday blues with their fantastic sharing platters, small plates, soups, stir-fries, curries and signature dishes – all full of authentic Thai flavour.
Plus, if you’re ordering takeaway Monday-Thursday, you’ll get 10% OFF too (until the end of April)!
Located right by Earlsfield station, family-run Phakoon have been earning rave reviews since they opened in 2023, serving authentic Thai food that’s full of heart and flavour. Tuck into their fantastic sharing platters, small plates, soups, stir-fries, curries, signature dishes and more – available for lunch and dinner.
You’ll find Phakoon at 346-348 Garratt Lane, SW18 4ES, open 7 days a week from Noon. The offers are also available at their Balham branch!
To book a table or order a takeaway, visit phakoonthai.com
*Excludes set lunch and lunch boxes. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer.
A whole range of fantastic weekday offers have launched at local Italian restaurant, La Doc on Balham High Road!
The team at La Doc have been welcoming local residents to enjoy their authentic Italian food and extensive wine list ever since they opened in 2023, with excellent Google reviews. Their new weekday offers are:
🇮🇹 Healthy Mondays - Free Mixed Salad with the purchase of any Pinsa or Pasta
🇮🇹 ALL You Need Is a SCORE - Tuesdays One appetiser, one pinsa or one pasta, plus one small glass of house wine or soft drink - £20 per person
🇮🇹 Wine Down - Wednesdays Buy two large glasses of wine, get the rest of the bottle FREE! Club prices can be applied to wines not available by the glass
🇮🇹 Aperitivo Dinner - Thursdays Bottomless Italian Buffet + One Drink - £15 per person
Bookings are preferred for these events, and offers cannot be used simultaneously.
You’ll find La Doc located at 205 Balham High Road.
To book a table, visit their website at ladoc.co.uk, call Gaetano on 07865 034 118, email ladoc.balham@gmail.com, or just walk in if there’s room!
La Doc is open Monday-Thursday 5.30-10pm, Friday & Saturday 12.30-10pm, and Sunday 12.30-5pm.
Howden Insurance Tooting’s free book swap is going from strength to strength since launching in 2024, helping everyone in the local area experience the joy of reading!
Matthew Hillier, Centre Manager at Howden Tooting, said, “We really want to give back to our community. The book swap is one of several local initiatives we’re running – and there’s plenty more to come.
“The book swap started as just for kids, but adults started to donate books and get involved, so we’ve now expanded it for all ages!”
The Howden book swap initiative is supported by Wandsworth reading charity, Learn to Love to Read.
Kirsty Hall, Learn to Love to Read Fundraising Manager, said, “In the UK, fewer than half of parents read daily with young children, and only 1 in 3 kids enjoy reading for pleasure — with long-term consequences for literacy and life chances.
“We work across the borough of Wandsworth to make ‘every child a reader’ by working within schools, children’s centres and libraries to engage children and parents with reading, and initiatives like this one are a great addition to our community.”
Pop into your local Tooting branch to meet the friendly team and pick up, donate or swap books you’ve read and loved. All ages welcome!
Howden Tooting is located at 149-155 Mitcham Road, Tooting SW17 9PG. More info via their website.
Congratulations and good luck to Tooting resident Dr Venessa Swaby, who’s a finalist for the inaugural Neurodiverse Business Awards!
The awards mark a major milestone in a new national programme dedicated to showcasing neurodiverse talent and the organisations championing neuroinclusive cultures across the UK workforce.
Venessa, shortlisted for Advocate of the Year, is Founder of A2ndVoice CIC, which has been instrumental in amplifying lived experience, strengthening community-led advocacy and supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and families to access inclusive services, opportunities and meaningful participation.
Venessa said: “It is brilliant to be recognised for the services A2ndVoice has provided. However, without the support of our community partners and supporters, we simply could not do the great work we offer. This recognition reflects what is possible when communities work together to ensure autistic voices are heard, valued and respected.”
The winners will be revealed on 18 March 2026 at the Neurodiverse Business Awards Gala Celebration, taking place in the Grand Hall of the Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden, and hosted by ITV News anchor Nina Hossain.
Full info about the awards via their website.
Karina has opened Next Door Baker by Kegarmo at 84 Moyser Road (where Life of Fish was previously located), serving freshly made sweet and savoury baked goods, coffee and more to eat in and take away, with several gluten free options! They also take orders for celebratory cakes.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30am to 4pm (5pm weekends). More info via @kegarmo (Instagram).
Congratulations and good luck to Karina and the team!
Local resident Stuart has launched EcoServ, a new EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) assessor!
Stuart tells us, “Founded to make EPCs simple and stress-free, EcoServ offers a professional, reliable, and genuinely local hassle free service for landlords, homeowners, and agents in the area, and offers:
• 24-hour EPCs available
• Flexible, hassle-free appointments
• A local, professional service
“I’m proudly based in Tooting and committed to serving the community!”
For more info, visit ecoserv-uk.com or email stuart@ecoserv-uk.com
Congratulations and good luck, Stuart!
What was the Northern Line nearly called? Matt Brown of Londonist reports on the different names considered for the Northern Line 100 years ago, when the line as we know it was preparing to open after years of upheaval and re-tunnelling.
Full story via Londonist.
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