Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Totterdown Street Market set to become permanent, mobile coverage comes to Tooting tubes, St George's on Netflix, food, drink and comedy, new openings, a FANTASTIC lido pic, and much more in Tooting!
Vintage Tea Pop-Up launches at Totterdown Street Market in Tooting from next weekend!
The Secret Teacup is a unique tea and cake experience, transforming part of Totterdown Street Market into a whimsical secret garden tea party! Running on the next two weekends (28-29 June and 5-6 July), The Secret Teacup offers guests a 90-minute escape, featuring unlimited tea, a curated selection of artisan bakes, and a slice of show-stopping Dubai Chocolate Cake by Min's Bakes – plus your own vintage teacup and saucer to take home as a keepsake!
The Secret Teacup is hosted by a collective of South London creatives and traders, working to bring new energy and experiences to the growing Totterdown Market community. The event is designed to offer luxury, wellbeing, and a touch of nostalgic charm in a beautifully styled private corner of the market.
Tickets are £20pp and include tea, treats, and a take-home gift. The first 50 bookings will also receive an exclusive goody bag featuring products from independent and ethical brands!
Booking is essential – click here to book!
Follow @totterdownstreetmarket and @the_secret_teacup (both on Instagram) for info and updates!
Graveney School presents the work of Year 11 GCSE Art students at Furzedown's Sprout Community Arts!
Dulcie Hepple, Head of Graveney’s Art Department, welcomes everyone in to enjoy the amazing artwork by students. The free exhibition is open 11am-5pm daily (except Sunday) until Thursday 3 July.
📍 Sprout Arts, 74 Moyser Road, SW16 6SQ.
More info: sproutarts.com
Indian Room Balham is now open weekday lunchtimes – and with a special lunchtime menu including Thali trays, served 1-4pm for eat-in, takeaway & delivery!
A Thali is made up of a variety of small bowls of their most popular dishes, along with naan bread & pilau rice, served on a platter, and is a great way to enjoy a diverse selection of Indian cuisine – both meat (£14.99) & vegetarian (£12.99) options are on offer!
Just walk-in, or to book a table or order a delivery, visit their website.
Indian Room is open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner, both dine-in & delivery, located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9EZ.
Comedy is BACK at The Antelope in Tooting on Thursday 10th July, with a special offer for Tooting Newsie followers (see below)!
The brilliant Live At The Apollo star Tom Ward is headlining, alongside TikTok sensation Mark Bittlestone, the fab Mags McHugh (Ricky Gervais has been putting clips of her on his X account), rising star Nicole Harris, and your friendly host Matt Wills!
Get £3 off tickets with the code NEWSIECOMEDY when you book HERE.
The Antelope is located at 76 Mitcham Rd, SW17 9NG, just a 3 minute walk from Tooting Broadway tube.
Popular Tooting bar Goldfinch are hosting a BBQ in their courtyard this Saturday 28th June, 3pm-8pm (perfect for Happy Hour which lasts until 8pm!) – in collaboration with The Southern Kitchen – where they'll also be showing off their brand new Summer cocktail menu!
The Southern Kitchen, also based in Tooting, is a catering company run by local resident Richard, which specialises in the unique flavours and style of food from the American South, including slow & low BBQ!
Goldfinch manager, Lewis, would love locals to come along and enjoy fantastic food, drinks and tunes in their lovely courtyard.
He tells us: “Come and try our new Summer menu – fresh, seasonal, and full of flavour! What’s more, Happy Hour is on until 8pm!
"The Southern Kitchen will be serving all sorts of amazing BBQ – from coffee beef brisket rubbed in paprika & honey with a side of Boston baked beans, to pulled jackfruit with a side of smashed roasted beets, they have your dinner plans covered this Saturday!"
To book a table at Goldfinch, visit goldfinchsw17.co.uk
Booking is not required to purchase Southern Kitchen food, but they advise booking, so that you're not disappointed!
Goldfinch is located at 145 Mitcham Road in Tooting. The BBQ runs 3pm-8pm.
Transport for London (TfL) have begun to introduce 4G coverage at Tooting Broadway station and within the tunnels between Tooting Broadway and Balham.
Rebecca Bissell, Director of Technology Product and Operations at TfL, said: “We’re pleased to have recently introduced mobile coverage to customers travelling between Tooting Broadway and Balham on the Northern line. We are committed to bringing high-speed 4G and 5G mobile coverage to the whole of the Tube network, allowing our customers to stay connected while travelling to work, shopping or socialising. Further tunnelled sections will be going live in the coming months, and we are working hard to bring the benefits of being able to stay in contact while travelling through our city as quickly as possible to the rest of the network.”
Viewers worldwide will soon get a glimpse into the ground-breaking trauma care provided by Tooting’s St George’s Hospital.
Netflix's new six-part series, Critical: Between Life and Death, hits the global streaming platform on Wednesday 23 July – and will showcase the work of the London Major Trauma System.
Today (Wednesday 25 June) – exactly four weeks ahead of the series hitting TV screens – Netflix has released its official trailer, giving a taster of what people can expect from this exciting new series.
For more info, and to view the trailer, visit the St George’s website.
Totterdown Street Market in Tooting is set to be made permanent, reports London Evening Standard.
Wandsworth Council has redesigned Totterdown Street Market so it can be made permanent, with works to begin as early as autumn if it receives final sign-off.
The market, which has food and drink stalls, has been running on a trial basis since May 2024. The council introduced it by pedestrianising Totterdown Street between St Cyprian’s Street and Blakenham Road, then putting stalls alongside tables and chairs.
Full story via London Evening Standard.
London Fire Brigade were called to reports of a car alight on Longmead Road in Tooting on the morning of Thursday, 26th June. The Brigade's Control Officers received the first of around eight calls about the fire at 0753 and mobilised one fire engine from Tooting Fire Station to the scene. Firefighters attended and safely extinguished the fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
Works are now under way to improve Tooting Broadway and Amen Corner in the first phase of a major package of improvements being made by Wandsworth Council.
The works will aim to make the area’s streets and public spaces cleaner, greener, safer and more welcoming for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the area, with the first major phase of works being delivered this year.
More info, including details of the improvements, via Wandsworth Council.
Blood donors needed in Tooting! NHS Blood and Transplant are renewing the call for more donors of Black heritage to come forward and give blood to help patients with sickle cell (book an appointment via www.blood.co.uk).
The recent appeal to mark National Blood Week highlighted the need for one million regular blood donors to maintain safe supplies and avoid a “red alert” – a critical shortage that poses a risk to patient care and public safety – including a specific need for more donors of Black heritage.
During the first seven days of the campaign, over 29,000 people registered as new donors and over 100,000 appointments were booked. Of the 29,000 people who registered last week, 1,000 were from a Black heritage background.
Following the appeal, there has been a positive response from people of all blood types; however there remains a particular need for more O negative donors – the universal blood type used in emergencies – as well as donors of Black heritage who can help treat patients with sickle cell.
Sickle cell is the country’s fastest growing inherited blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black African and Black Caribbean communities. Data suggests that in the UK around 250 babies a year are born with the condition.
NHS Blood and Transplant needs over 17,000 regular donors of Black heritage to help meet growing demand for sickle cell patients. More than half (56%) of donors of Black heritage are likely to have the Ro blood type, compared with just 2.4% of other ethnicities.
Anyone over 17 years old, can register or book via: www.blood.co.uk, the NHS Give Blood app, or by calling 0300 123 23 23.
The Tooting Blood Centre is located in St George's Hospital, 75 Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RB.
South West Londoner has published a fantastic report and video on Tooting Community Kitchen (TCK), a local charity on a mission to alleviate poverty in south west London by helping feed the homeless and those in need, leading it to be one of the Wandsworth Mayor’s three chosen charities for 2024/25.
For more info and to watch the video, visit the South West Londoner website.
📷 Tooting Community Kitchen
RSPCA South London Branch is looking for a home for this adorable pair of kittens!
Ruby is the tabby and very confident and cuddly. Ronan is the black kitten and is a little bit more reserved so will need a bit of patience for him to trust. But with time, the charity is sure he’ll be a wonderful family pet!
Please email enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk if you think you can offer this lovely pair their furever home, or to find out about other animals the RSPCA has available for adoption!
You may recognise Abdul Majeed, who runs Xlusive Computers in Tooting Market, where he fixes computers, mobile phones and more – but did you know that he's also an international reporter for Pakistan TV channel Discover Pakistan!
Abdul Majeed covers the world, reporting in Urdu on places of interest all across the globe – for example, he recently travelled to China to film reports on one of the world's longest glass bridges and China's famous terracotta army! You can find out more and watch his reports via Discover Pakistan.
آپ عبدالمجید کو پہچانتے ہوں گے، جو ٹوٹنگ مارکیٹ میں ایکسکلوسو کمپیوٹرز چلاتا ہے، جہاں وہ کمپیوٹر، موبائل فون اور بہت کچھ ٹھیک کرتا ہے – لیکن کیا آپ جانتے ہیں کہ وہ پاکستان ٹی وی چینل ڈسکور پاکستان کا بین الاقوامی رپورٹر بھی ہے!
عبدالمجید پوری دنیا کا احاطہ کرتا ہے، دنیا بھر کے دلچسپ مقامات پر اردو میں رپورٹنگ کرتا ہے – مثال کے طور پر، اس نے حال ہی میں چین کا سفر کیا اور دنیا کے طویل ترین شیشے کے پلوں میں سے ایک اور چین کی مشہور ٹیراکوٹا آرمی پر رپورٹس بنائیں! آپ مزید جان سکتے ہیں اور ان کی رپورٹس دیکھ سکتے ہیں: Discover Pakistan.
The Furzedown Project celebrated Windrush Day yesterday, with food, music, dancing and more!
The Furzedown Project at 91-93 Moyser Road, SW16 6SJ, is an activity centre and social hub for people aged 50 and over, whose mission is to increase people's sense of wellbeing and reduce social isolation. More info, including how to volunteer, on their website.
A masque parade took place in Tooting on Saturday, led by Dende Collective!
The group ran a mask-making workshop over the last few weeks (as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe) at Tooting Works, culminating in this masquerade through the streets of SW17! Did you see them pass through Tooting?
Howden Insurance Tooting welcomed local businesses and community members to a vibrant networking event last Thursday, 19th June, held in celebration of their ongoing partnership with The British & Irish Lions!
The evening offered an opportunity for professionals to connect, share ideas, and enjoy a relaxed summer atmosphere with a BBQ and refreshments.
Matt Hillier, Tooting Centre Manager, spoke about Howden’s commitment to supporting the local community and championing small businesses and organisations.
He also introduced Wandsworth Care Alliance, a local charity dedicated to improving the wellbeing of residents across the borough by providing free support to charities, community initiatives, and arts projects, while also advocating for stronger, more inclusive health and social care services. Guests had the opportunity to learn more about the charity’s work and explore ways to collaborate and support their mission.
The event was catered by Tooting-based Food by Toby, who served fantastic barbecue food that was enjoyed by everyone in the warm summer weather!
Watch this space for more news of Howden networking events!
Howden Insurance Tooting is located at 149/155 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PG. Pop in, call 0208 672 3375, or visit their website to find out more.
Hazelfest took place in Tooting on Sunday 22nd June, with an afternoon of colour, noise and fun for all the family. The annual mini outdoor festival is staged by arts and crafts recycling charity Work and Play Scrapstore as a free afternoon of music, entertainment, arts & craft activities, and food & drink.
“It was a fabulous afternoon and the green came alive with colour, music, song and a good vibe,” says Jen Dolan, Operations Manager at Work and Play Scrapstore.
Held on the green outside Hazelhurst Estate on Blackshaw Road where Scrapstore is located, it was opened by Wandsworth Mayor Jeremy Ambache and brought together a host of local community groups, community artists, and Scrapstore’s own volunteers to help showcase upcycling.
Tooting Repair Club, the Home Delivery Service from Wandsworth Libraries, Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees, Tooting Community Kitchen and Summerstown Mission mixed seamlessly with storyteller Alim from Polka Theatre, dancers from Magpie, drummers from Generate, Dr Bike for bicycle repairs, and AFC Wimbledon who taught football skills in the estate cage. The football club’s mascot Haydon the Womble made a special appearance too!
Visitors made scrap fairies, bug hotels, magic butterflies, paper lanterns, painted discs, had their faces painted, made jewellery, dressed up and made wishes on Wish Trees. They all left with smiles on their faces.
The Scrapstore would like to thank their tireless volunteers who set up, ran stalls, cleared away and didn’t stop all day!
The Scrapstore is located on the Hazelhurst Estate, 13 Blackshaw Road, SW17 0DA. Call 020 8682 4216, email info@workandplayscrapstore.org.uk or visit their website to find out more.
Indie Wine Club have expanded their unit in Tooting Market, with a shop side, a bar side, and a seating bar in the middle!
See indiewine.club for more details and to book, including info on their Wednesday night wine tasting and Thursday Supperclubs.
Congratulations and good luck to Flavia and Amy!
Congratulations to Tooting French bistro & steak house, Bordelaise who are to open a second branch, Bordelaise TWO, in Epsom & Ewell on Wednesday 2nd July!
Bordelaise owner, Oliv would like to invite Tooting residents down to their new branch in Epsom & Ewell to take advantage of their soft launch offer, with 50% OFF food from Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th July.
Tables must be booked in advance via their website at bordelaise.co.uk. T’s & C’s below.
Oliv tells us more about the new branch:
"Nestled in a charming listed building at the heart of Epsom and Ewell, Bordelaise TWO will be bringing the rustic elegance and warmth of the South of France to Surrey! With a relaxed atmosphere and rich culinary heritage, it’s the perfect place to enjoy great food, fine wine, and even better company.
"You'll be able to step inside to discover a characterful dining room that blends Southern French charm with historic detail. Upstairs, two private rooms offer the ideal setting for family celebrations, business dinners, or intimate gatherings. And when the sun is shining, our beer garden will be the perfect spot for a glass of wine, a refreshing pint, and a leisurely meal or snack."
You’ll find the original Bordelaise located in Broadway Market Tooting, and from 2nd July, you'll find Bordelaise TWO located at 17 High Street, Epsom & Ewell, KT17 1SB.
Soft launch offer T’s & C’s: The offer is valid for their a la carte menu only, cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.
Tooting Supermarket on Tooting High Street has expanded into the next door premises (formerly occupied by Coral), selling fruit and veg, groceries, alcohol and soft drinks, confectionery and lots more!
Their premises at 66 Tooting High Street is open 24/7, whilst their new premises at number 64 is open 8am-8pm every day.
Congratulations and good luck to the team!
A fantastic aerial pic of Tooting Bec Lido in the sunshine, captured by @tim_cartledge (Instagram) – thanks for sharing!
Check out instagram.com/tim_cartledge for more amazing photos from around the world!
Amen Corner, c. 1912. The name probably derives from the ancient ceremony of 'beating' the parish bounds which used to end at this spot with the saying of a prayer to which the party would respond with a loud 'Amen!' The original Tooting police station is on the right.
From Balham and Tooting in Old Photographs by Patrick Loobey, ISBN 0-7509-0722-3
Beating the bounds, or perambulating the bounds, is an ancient custom still observed in parts of England, Wales, and the New England region of the United States, which traditionally involved swatting local landmarks with branches to maintain a shared mental map of parish boundaries, usually every seven years. More info via Wikipedia.
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