LIVE MUSIC AND MORE at Tooting’s House of Ora – and it all starts TONIGHT – plus SPECIAL OFFERS for our readers!
📅 🎵 🍸 THURSDAY AUGUST 20TH – SOUL EVOLUTION BY DIA DAY & BRIAN HENRY. 7pm-10.30pm – tickets HERE (50% OFF tickets for our readers)!
📅 🎵 FRIDAY AUGUST 21ST – MAYONNAISE: One of the most talented bands from the Pinoy alt rock scene + guests, live from 8pm. Tickets HERE.
📅 🎵 SATURDAY AUGUST 22ND, 6pm to 2am – DENHAM AUDIO & MIXTRESS + guests will bring some of the UK’s most exciting underground sounds to Tooting! Free entry until 10pm, late tickets HERE (50% OFF tickets for our readers)!
📅 🎵 FRIDAY AUGUST 28TH – PRE-CARNIVAL FLAG PARTY! Killerwatt Carnival Sound will be hosting this special music event, 6pm-2am (including FREE face-painting for children 6pm-8pm) - just turn up!
📧 info@houseofora.co.uk
📍 48A Mitcham Rd, SW17 9NA
A free exhibition of Balham, Streatham and Tooting runs until the end of this month at The Woodfield Pavilion on Tooting Common!
All artwork featured, depicts or is inspired by our local neighbourhoods, and features local landmarks, residential back streets and more!
Open every day until Sunday 30th August at the Woodfield Pavilion, 16A Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AP. Full info and opening times on their website.
⭐ SUPPORT YOUNG FOUNDERS IN TOOTING ⭐
Local youth charity Business Launchpad (powered by Tooting Works) hosts its next Showcase Event on Tuesday 25th August!
For the first time, a new cohort of founders will be showcasing their businesses, products and services they’ve been developing through the Business Launchpad Pathways Programme.
From tech apps to beauty products, fashion to food, there will be a variety of new businesses to meet.
✨ Connect with ambitious young founders
✨ Explore products, services and prototypes
✨ Hear live pitches and participants’ stories
✨ Mentoring opportunities
✨ Build new partnerships and collaborations
✨ Support the next generation of business leaders
📅 Tuesday 25 August 2026
🕔 5pm-7pm
📍Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, London SW17 9SH
🎟️ Get your free ticket HERE.
Tooting litter pick this Sunday 23rd August from 11am, with Tooting Tidy! 🚮
The local volunteer-led litter-picking group will be covering the residential streets down Upper Tooting Road towards Tooting Broadway.
Meet at Tooting Bec station at 11am. All equipment provided – plus a free coffee from Forty Coffee afterwards!
More info via the Tooting Tidy Instagram.
Join Small Biz Network for the first in a series of Networking and Marketing Workshops on Wednesday 16th September at Tooting Works.
The workshops are an opportunity for business owners, entrepreneurs and side hustlers to meet like-minded people, share experiences, discuss challenges and improve their marketing.
The first workshop will focus on Marketing Strategy on a Page, giving participants a simple way to bring their marketing efforts together, get clarity on what they’re doing and create a plan they can use for their business.
The session will include time to review or create a Marketing Strategy on a Page, as well as facilitated group discussion, shared experiences, feedback and ideas.
Participants can expect to gain more marketing clarity, have a simple marketing plan in place, share their marketing challenges, get feedback and ideas from other business owners and commit to practical actions.
This is the first of six workshops covering different areas of marketing. The following workshops will cover Brand and Messaging, Website and SEO, Social Media, Email Marketing, and Partnerships.
The final workshop will bring everything together in a marketing playbook covering all six areas that participants can use for their business.
Tickets for the first workshop are £30 Early Bird, with the regular price £40.
Ticket price includes refreshments and a light lunch.
To find out more and book a place, visit smallbiznetwork.co.uk
GARDEN PLANTERS NEEDED IN FURZEDOWN! 🌱 Furzedown Primary School’s playground upgrade is underway, and they need helping hands on Wednesday 26th August to do some planting! 🌿
🧤 Bring gloves + tools if you have them
🌱 No gardening experience required – plant donations welcome
⚠️ Adults only please, as the playground is still a work site 🚧👷🏼♀️
Open to all – you don’t have to be parents at the school.
📅 Wednesday 26th August
⏰ From 8.30am, with most hands needed from 10am. Drop in anytime, for as long as you can.
📍 Furzedown Primary School, Welham Road, SW17 9TJ
Visit bit.ly/furzedownplanting for more info.
You may recognise Tooting resident Iain, who’s turned a terminal brain cancer diagnosis into an extraordinary personal mission – taking on huge physical challenges as part of his goal to break a charity world record without asking anyone for a donation.
Iain will be running a FREE in-person fitness class on Tooting Common this Tuesday 25th of August at 18:34 – and he’ll also be teaching an online live stream class at 12:34pm that day if you’re not able to attend in person! To take part, sign up to Iain’s newsletter HERE.
Ians tells us, “All classes are designed to include people of every fitness level. Do not think you’re unfit to join in. Everyone starts at the ‘unfit’ level.
“The class is specifically for the small awkward support muscles we tend to neglect for running all distances – a lot of single leg balance stuff. The end of the class will be very intense (if you want to push yourself) but will only be for 4 minutes.
“These free classes will help raise money for cancer research, because it will attract fitness and health related sponsorships. And if you didn’t already know, it’s my life ambition to break a charity world record without asking for donations from everyday people. I just need people to follow my Instagram account.
“Bring your own water!”
Find out more about Iain and the amazing work he does via his gofundme page.
Tooting-based property advisor Homes with Chuk highlights what you can secure within a certain budget...
“£475,000 in Tooting – what does that actually buy you right now? Swipe through 👉🏾 to see two homes on the market today.
“Tooting is spoiled for choice when it comes to independent coffee shops and places to eat; honestly there are too many brilliant ones to count. Blueprint Coffee, Arêvery, and Mud on the coffee (brunch) front, and Smoke & Salt, Royal Mahal, and Rick’s Dining Room if you’re hungry – all of them featured on my ‘Meet The Neighbours’ series, so have a browse and get a feel for why buying a home here should be on your bingo card.
“But that’s really just scratching the surface, as there are so many other fantastic spots with their own vibe still to discover (and yes, more ‘Meet The Neighbours’ are coming...watch this space 👀).
“Then there’s the open space to convince yourself you’re ‘outdoorsy’: Tooting Common, obviously, plus Springfield Park, Tooting’s newest green space, which just turned one (happy birthday, Springfield Park 🎂).
“It’s the kind of place where the barista knows your order and your neighbour still waves at you even after that bin day mix-up. Community isn’t just a buzzword here!
“And the money bit: with a 10% deposit, you could be looking at around £2,250/month based on rates at the time of writing. For accurate figures (because I’m an estate agent, not a mortgage wizard), get in touch with an expert like independent mortgage advisor Katy Eatenton.
“Fancy a closer look at Glasford Street or Longley Road? Or want to be first to know when the next ones land? I’ve got a few more coming to market over the next few weeks. Either way, my DMs are always open, no pressure at all.
“Born and raised in Tooting. Looking after a small handful of homes across Tooting, Balham and 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!
Legendary Clapham nightclub Infernos London are hosting a special ‘90’s Ibiza Classics’ party on Bank Holiday Sunday 30th August – & they’ve got an exclusive offer for Newsie readers!
Grab your tickets in advance for just £5 (50% OFF) for entry before midnight, via the link below.👇
And here’s the fun bit: every person who buys a £5 advance ticket gets to spin the disco wheel on the night – with the golden ticket prize being an INFERNOS BLACK CARD: unlimited free Q-jump entry for the winner plus a guest, for an entire year! The only other person to hold one? Margot Robbie! 🌟
Join Infernos on Bank Holiday Sunday for a night of Old Skool 90’s Classics and Balearic beats in Playa del Clapham! Expect 2-4-1 Buzzballs for sundowners, prizes for the best beachwear, and tonnes of disco attitude with all the vacay vibes!
🎟️ Grab your £5 advance tickets HERE.
Infernos is located at 146 Clapham High St, SW4 7UH.
Meet Reece Robinson, Commercial Vehicle Specialist at Howden Insurance Tooting. Reece is inviting local tradespeople to take a moment to review their insurance and make sure they’re properly covered, as recent figures remain concerning.
Reece tells us, “Nearly 42% of tool thefts happen directly from vehicles, making vans the number one risk area. With tools often left inside overnight, it’s no surprise they’re a common target.
“Even with the right precautions, things can still go wrong. That’s why having the right insurance in place matters. The right cover can help with replacing stolen tools, repairing damage, and getting you back on the road with less disruption.
“Your van is more than just a way to get from A to B. It’s your mobile workshop, your storage space, and a key part of keeping your work moving. Unfortunately, that also makes it a target for thieves, especially if tools are kept inside.
“Around three quarters of tradespeople (74%) say they’ve been a victim, with nearly one in three affected more than once. When tools are stolen, the impact is
immediate. Jobs are delayed, income is disrupted, and many are forced to borrow equipment just to keep working.
“At Howden, we take the time to understand how our clients work and what they rely on day to day. If your van is locked and your tools are stored inside overnight at your home or business address, we can help ensure you’re protected. It’s about helping you look after your van, your tools and your income, so one incident doesn’t set you back.”
You can visit Reece and the team at Howden Tooting, 149/155 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PG, call 0208 672 3375, or find out more at: www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/tooting
* Source: Nearly half of tool theft is from vehicles | Howden Insurance
If you’re recovering from an injury, or you’ve been putting off getting back to fitness because you’re worried about making things worse, Enhance Fitness in Earlsfield can help you get moving again safely and with confidence – just like they’ve helped local resident Rob!
Rob had an awkward fall while snowboarding earlier this year and injured his shoulder blade. Keen to regain his fitness but nervous about putting too much strain on his shoulder, he turned to the team at Enhance.
They started him with 1:1 PT, helping him strengthen his shoulders and rebuild his range of movement, before progressing him onto their 6 Week Transformation Trial. Rob absolutely smashed it – and he hasn’t looked back since!
And Rob’s not alone. In fact, over 80% of people who complete Enhance’s 6 Week Transformation Trial come to them with a previous injury or ongoing niggle – so you’re in very good company, and very good hands!
Enhance Fitness founder Shane Rutherford, who has an extensive background in sports rehabilitation, tells us, “So many people avoid the gym because they’re worried about making an old injury worse – but that’s exactly where we can help. You don’t need to be pain-free or super fit before starting with us.
“Every 6 Week Trial begins with a 1:1 Movement & Body Composition Screen, so we can understand your body, your history and your goals. From there, your training is tailored specifically to you – your coach adapts every exercise around your movement, experience and ability. And because we train in small groups, you get plenty of individual attention and coaching throughout.
“Our aim isn’t just to help you lose weight – it’s to help you move better, get stronger, rebuild your confidence, and get back on track safely.”
If you’re ready to get back to fitness – but want to do it safely and with the right support – find out more about Enhance Fitness and their 6 Week Transformation Trial.
Email info@enhance-fitness.com, call 07716 506 009, or visit enhance-fitness.com
📍 593 Garratt Lane, SW18 4ST – and also in Clapham Old Town.
Wandsworth resident Matt has launched Beyond Weekends, a new travel company built around the simple idea that life is too short to save all the good stuff for two days a week! And he has a special offer for Tooting Newsie readers – see below! 👇
Beyond Weekends runs small group retreats at private villas in genuinely extraordinary places. Each retreat is designed to feel like the trip you always meant to book – a private chef cooks every meal using local produce, all drinks are included, and the activities are chosen to stretch you just enough. The group is small by design, and strangers become friends by the end.
Their first retreat takes place at Villa Megalo on the east coast of Mykonos, from 29th September to 3rd October 2026. The villa sits steps from Lia Beach, with an infinity pool, a hot tub, and al fresco dining for the whole group, who have exclusive use of the villa.
The four days are a mix of adventure and long, unhurried evenings. Think a full day on a private yacht, a coastal hike with the island spread out below you, a hands-on cookery class with the chef, and one evening in Mykonos Town, before a final Greek barbecue under the stars back at the villa. Airport transfers are included. You just need to sort your flight.
This is also Beyond Weekends’ very first retreat, which means being part of the story from the beginning. Founder guests get priority access and a preferential rate on every future retreat. Tooting Newsie guests get 10% off with code TOONEW10 with rooms starting from £1,000 per person.
Spaces are limited. Full details and booking via Beyond Weekends.
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!
Downing Street has issued a temporary GB-wide ban on the sale of disposable barbecue and brought in the military to help deal with wildfires as Andy Burnham urged people not to risk lives in “tinderbox” Britain this weekend, reports The Guardian.
He said it was necessary to bring in a temporary ban on disposable barbecues from today, asking retailers to withdraw them from sale, as he spoke of the “absolutely devastating” wildfires.
“Please think about the situation we are in,” he said. “Britain is a tinderbox right now. Setting a fire in any outdoor setting is a risk to people’s homes and other people’s lives.”
Full story via The Guardian.
Bus Stop K (and a section of bus lane) on Tooting High Street – just outside Sainsbury’s/South Thames College – is temporarily closed while Thames Water undergoes works in the area.
The bus stop serves southbound routes 57, 131, 219, 493, G1 and N155.
The bus stop will re-open at 4pm on 04 September 2026. Transport for London (TfL) advises passengers to please use the next available stop to catch your bus.
The work by Thames Water is part of their project to upgrade the clean water main along the A24. More info via Thames Water.
SPONSORED CONTENT
🌞 KIDS EAT FREE THIS SUMMER at Vermicelli in Tooting Market! 🍕🍝
Vermicelli are offering FREE meals for all children aged 12 and under with every paying adult.
Enjoy Vermicelli’s fresh, homemade pasta and artisan sourdough pizzas – bring your little ones, bring your appetite, and let the kids enjoy a delicious meal on Vermicelli!
Vegetarian, vegan and halal options available.
Booking via the Vermicelli website.
📍 Vermicelli, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN
🍕 Fresh sourdough pizza
🍝 Homemade pasta
Eat-in only. Offer ends Tuesday 25th August 2026. Ts and Cs apply.
Tooting Community Kitchen (TCK) volunteers served fruit, veg, bread, pastries, pakoras, home made meals, and biryani from Royal Mahal Tooting, to 46 guests on Saturday evening (15th August), outside Tooting Islamic Centre on Upper Tooting Road!
The good people of Tooting were especially generous donating to their collection tin too, so TCK would like to thank their neighbours for their generosity!
TCK aims to help alleviate poverty in SW London by helping feed the homeless and those in need, and provide them with other vital resources. If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or help out in any way, you can find out more via their website.
📷 Tooting Community Kitchen
Good luck to British endurance athlete and Tooting resident, Jack Jarvis, who’s currently undertaking a 13,000km run from Beijing to London to raise £1m for brain tumour charity brainstrust.
Jarvis set off on Tuesday 11 August, launching what is believed to be the longest continuous run home ever attempted. The £1m target would enable brainstrust to significantly expand the number of people it supports and increase access to specialist coaching, information and guidance.
His departure comes as British swimmer and Commonwealth Games medallist Archie Goodburn, who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2023, has been speaking publicly about the urgent need for greater funding for brain cancer research and better access to clinical trials.
Jack tells us, “Standing at the start line here, it hits you how big this really is. There’s no easy way home from here, I just have to keep moving forward, day after day.
“I’m doing something that feels gigantic in scale because that’s what I’m asking people to support. It’s going to be long, it’s going to hurt, and that’s the point. I’d love to raise £1m for brainstrust. My grandfather died from brain cancer, so this is something I carry with me every step of the way.”
Jack will run 50km a day (the equivalent of more than a marathon every day) for around eight months, crossing 17 countries and two continents before finishing at Trafalgar Square in London in March 2027. The journey will take him from Beijing through Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, before reaching the UK capital. A small support crew will travel alongside him in a camper van, acting as a mobile base for recovery, navigation and logistics during the expedition.
Jarvis is no stranger to long-distance challenges. In 2022 he became the first person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and completed an ultra-endurance crossing of the Atacama Desert in the same year. In 2025 he completed a 56-day row from New York to the UK.
To find out more about Jack’s journey and to donate, visit brainstrust.org.uk
South West London’s Riverside Radio is launching live and full commentary of AFC Wimbledon home matches this season, allowing Dons fans who can’t get to Plough Lane to follow every kick of the action!
The community radio station will broadcast from the Cherry Red Records Stadium throughout the 2026/27 season, with commentary available on DAB+ Digital Radio across South West London and online for AFC Wimbledon supporters wherever they are.
The first full commentary will be on Saturday 22 August, when AFC Wimbledon take on Reading in League One at Plough Lane.
The live commentaries will form part of the Riverside Radio Sports Show, which broadcasts every Saturday, 2pm-6pm.
The programme will also bring listeners the latest from sporting fixtures across South West London, together with interviews and reports from local clubs, players, coaches and community sports organisations.
AFC Wimbledon supporters will be able to hear the live home commentaries on DAB+ Digital Radio across South West London, online at RiversideRadio.com, through radio listening apps or on a smart speaker by asking it to ‘Play Riverside Radio’.
Coming soon to Wandsworth Common: ZaNou,a family-run cafe offering specialty coffee and brunch, is opening at 4 Bellevue Parade )where Flotsam & Jetsam used to be located).
They hope to open this autumn. We’ll keep you posted!
Flame & Bun, serving burgers, grilled chicken, pizza, doner kebabs, fries and more, has opened at 83 Tooting High Street.
Vegetarian options available, and all food is halal. Open 12pm-1am Sunday to Thursday, 12pm-3am Friday and Saturday, for eat-in and takeaway.
Congratulations and good luck to the team!
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