Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
There's loads in our last newsletter for 2025 – watch out for the next one on Thursday 8th January! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
CELEBRATE NEW YEARS EVE IN TOOTING MARKET! The Last Dance returns with Furze Nights at Mezzanine – join them for the countdown to the final celebration of 2025!
The night is sure to be full of surprises, as they wave goodbye to the old and usher in the new – expect a blend of deep, tech and Afro house with lots of feel good energy, and music over two floors!
Furze Nights is run by Tooting locals Olie Ogden (aka “Revlow”), Milly Murray, and Tom Mclarnon as a response to the lack of local opportunities to enjoy dance music. “It brings together music, art, culture, and people,” Milly says. “It’s a chance to enjoy some amazingly talented musicians and DJs, relax with friends!”
The party goes on until 3am! Grab your tickets HERE before they sell out!
Gail’s is facing considerable backlash over opening a new bakery in Tooting, reports My London. As part of an effort to open 40 more bakeries in the UK before the end of February next year, work is underway to transform the former site of the historic Morley’s department store on Mitcham Road into a new branch.
Full story via My London.
Wandsworth Council have published details of their services over the Christmas and New Year period, including information on parking, waste and recycling collections, Christmas tree recycling, opening times for libraries, sports facilities, council offices and more.
Council offices will be closed on Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December, and Thursday 1 January.
Outside of their normal opening hours, you can contact the council in an emergency by calling 020 8871 8999.
Full info via Wandsworth Council.
The emergency department at Tooting’s St George’s Hospital will see no let-up over the festive period – as flu continues to spread, and other illnesses and injuries spike.
Frontline doctors and nurses say they often see an increase in falls and alcohol-related injuries around Christmas, as well as other health issues such as gastroenteritis, heart attacks, burns and mental health conditions.
The hospital says that everyone can help by using the most appropriate service for their health needs, whether it’s NHS 111, a pharmacy, or a GP – as well as getting vaccinated, washing their hands and staying home when unwell to stop the spread of viruses.
For more info on how to access health services over the festive period, please visit the St George’s website.
If you’re struggling with your mental health this Christmas and New Year – or worried about someone you care for – help is available.
The South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust website explains where and how to get support, including:
🏠 Local Recovery Cafés – visit a walk-in out of hours service if you are struggling with how you are feeling or feel at risk of going into crisis.
☎️ 24/7 crisis support – call NHS 111 and press 2 for the mental health option if you need urgent support. You can also call the Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000.
📞 CAMHS crisis line – call the South London Partnership CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Crisis Line on 0203 228 5980 if you are a young person or parent or carer. The line is open every day from 9am to 11pm, 365 days a year.
Visit the The South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust website for more advice and support.
Please share so others know help is there!
Over the Christmas and New Year period, Saturday 20 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026, the vast majority of TfL services will be running. However, some services will be affected by planned works and service changes.
The only transport running on Christmas Day will be taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, electric scooter rental trials (in some boroughs), coaches, Dial-a-Ride (for registered members only) and some bus routes run by other operators.
The Congestion Charge will not operate from Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December 2025) to Thursday 1 January 2026 (inclusive).
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will not operate on Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December).
The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) operates every day of the year (including Christmas Day).
Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charges will not apply on Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December 2025).
There will be no Night Tube or Night Overground services on Boxing Day (Friday 26 December).
TfL services will be running throughout the night on New Year’s Eve.
Services in central London will be busy and some stations may be closed at short notice or at busy times to prevent overcrowding. Some bus services in central London will also be on diversion due to road closures from approximately mid-day.
Normal TfL fares will apply on New Year’s Eve.
Full info about Christmas and New Year travel via TfL.
Season’s greetings from Tooting-based property advisor, Homes With Chuk!
“Typically, the property market starts to quieten down at this time of year – and honestly, it makes perfect sense. Most people are focused on Christmas plans, shopping, family, food and a well-earned breather… and that’s exactly how it should be.
“The Christmas spirit has finally caught up with me – and it’s been brilliant seeing so much of it around.
“This past week we had our Christmas party at Tooting Works, picked up a lovely collection of Christmas plants for gifts from Petals of Balham, and rounded things off with a Christmas evening at Cup Coffee on Trinity Road – exactly the kind of local festive spirit I love.
“We also started filming some exciting local content that I can’t wait to share with you all from January onwards.
“Wishing you all a super Christmas!”
Email Chuk at hello@homeswithchuk.co.uk, call 07940 546 190, DM him at Homes with Chuk, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
Even when Christmas rolls around, people still need help recovering after surgery. Ed from Tooting’s Instant Physio explains why post-operative rehabilitation remains a core part of what they do:
“One of the most rewarding groups of people we work with are those recovering from major surgery. You see people at a low point physically and mentally, and then watch them rebuild confidence, strength and independence over time.
“Jason came to see us after rupturing his patellar tendon, one of the main tendons at the front of the knee. When he first arrived, he was using crutches, struggling to walk, and even sitting for any length of time was painful and uncomfortable.
“Through structured rehabilitation focused on restoring movement, strength and trust in the knee, his progress has been significant. He is now much stronger, can hop pain-free on his operated leg, and recently told us he feels the strongest he has ever been.
“He is currently on track to complete the Hadrian’s Wall walk next year, something that felt a long way off when he first walked through the door.
“Post-operative rehab is rarely quick, but with the right plan and consistency, outcomes like this are exactly why we do the work.”
If you’d like a free post operative discovery session with one of the physio team to discuss your recovery after a major operation, sign up via https://instant-physio.lpages.co/discovery-session-post-op
Instant Physio is located at 261 Balham High Road, Tooting Bec (opposite The Sewing Shop)
📞 020 3488 2698 | 🔗 instantphysio.co.uk
🕘 Mon–Thurs: 8am–8pm | Fri: 8am–4pm | Sat: 8am–12pm
Start 2026 with a 12-week “New Year to Easter” Tooting Common Bootcamp for just £150 – up to 4 classes a week, combining strength and cardio training with Combat Conditioning Tooting! Only 20 places available!
Combat Conditioning’s George tells us: “How your body looks and performs at Easter will be down to everything you do between now and then. The key to improving fitness, building muscle and burning calories is consistency – and we’ve designed this course to fit into a busy London lifestyle.
“Each week combines cardio training with strength and mobility work, covering all the key movements: squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling etc.
“The course includes regular fitness tests in weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12 to track your progress and identify areas to work on. You’ll also get the option of a personal training session each month for £35 (normally £60) to focus on technique or specific goals.
“Our background is in the Army, with significant experience training recruits and transforming ordinary people into the fittest, most robust versions of themselves. That experience shapes everything we do at Combat Conditioning Bootcamp. The structure is there, the opportunity is there – all you need to do is turn up!”
To find out more and to book your place, visit the Combat Conditioning website.
If you need a local plumber / gas engineer to take care of any plumbing & heating issues or emergencies over Christmas, Balham-based Kara Gas are available at any time throughout the festive period!
Kara Gas have 5 Star Google reviews and owner, Irfan, a lifelong Balham resident, is an independent gas engineer & qualified plumber, whose services include boiler installation, service and repair, cooker & hob installation, underfloor heating installation, bathroom installation and any other type of plumbing or heating requirement.
Kara Gas Ltd are available 24/7 and have a fully-transparent pricing structure, clearly laying out what work will be carried out and a breakdown of the cost.
To find out more & to arrange a free quote, call Irfan on 07944 142 008 or email kara-gas@hotmail.com.
You can also visit their website.
Kara Gas are also on TikTok @karagas, where Irfan showcases his day-to-day jobs!
Tooting French bistro & steak house, Bordelaise are to open a third branch, in Surbiton on Tuesday 6th January – and to celebrate, they’re inviting Tooting residents down to their new branch in Surbiton to take advantage of their soft launch offer – Buy One Steak, Get One FREE – from Tuesday 6th to Sunday 11th January - both lunch & dinner!
Tables must be booked in advance via their website. Offer valid for Surbiton branch only.
You’ll find Bordelaise located in Broadway Market, and from 6th January, at 97 Maple Road, Kingston, KT6 4AW.
Merry Christmas from Indian Room Balham! They’re open throughout the festive period (except Christmas Day) for dine-in, delivery and takeaway!
Indian Room 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.
The award-winning, family-run restaurant offers a menu packed full of tasty starters, main dishes & sides from throughout the regions of India. Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request and they also cater for those with special dietary requirements.
You’ll find Indian Room located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9EZ, open 7 days a week! More info on their website.
Tooting’s legendary Lahore Karahi are open for dine-in & takeaway throughout Christmas (including Christmas Day) – and you can get 20% OFF all collection orders right through until Sunday 4th January - simply order direct on their website - the discount will be applied automatically.
Established in 1995, the family-run Lahore Karahi serves delicious, authentic Pakistani cuisine, including a variety of curries, biryani and specialities dishes, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
They’ve recently also had a facelift - upgrading their warm and cozy surroundings, both in the main restaurant, as well as in their private dining area upstairs.
You are very welcome to BYOB!
Lahore Karahi is located at 1 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN, open 7 days a week from 10am-midnight.
You can book a table and order online via their website.
Please note: the offer applies to collection orders only!
RSPCA South London needs your help naming these three tiny kittens 😻🐾
Kiki’s babies are all doing incredibly well and growing stronger every day. They are feeding beautifully, getting more confident on their feet and starting to explore their little world.
Kiki is being a wonderful mum and is keeping her kittens safe, warm, and very well looked after!
These three are still without names and we would love your suggestions. Cute, classic or completely daft, they want to hear them all – head over to RSPCA South London (Instagram) and leave your suggestions in the comments!
The Great Gustos have been spreading Christmas cheer with their carol singing on the streets of Tooting and Furzedown over the last few days, raising money for WaterAid UK!
More info about the group via their Instagram.
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group celebrated Christmas at the weekend!
Group leader, Dr Ashish Patel, said “we believe in diversity and together, and aim to create a happy and nurturing environment for children.
“The centre was beautifully decorated with festive décor, including a stunning six-foot Christmas trees. Our children stole the show with delightful dance performances, spreading cheer and smiles all around. The arrival of Santa Claus brought extra excitement as gifts were lovingly distributed to every child.
“Parents and invited guests joined in the celebrations, making the event truly memorable. The atmosphere was filled with joy, love, and unity—reflecting the true spirit of the season.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all our dedicated volunteer team members for their continued support, and to our parents and children for their trust and commitment in attending the weekend classes regularly. Your faith and involvement keep the spirit of Tooting Bal Sanskar Group alive.
“Together, we celebrate happiness, culture, and community. Merry Christmas!”
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group is a group of volunteers that deliver Hinduism and Gujarati classes to the local community. See Tooting Bal Sanskar Group (Facebook) for more info.
BulGoGi, an independent eatery serving Korean & Japanese food, including freshly-made sushi, Korean Fried Chicken, noodle dishes – as well as an extensive range of milkshakes & bubble teas – has opened at 567 Garratt Lane.
During this initial soft-launch period, they’re open 12-8pm, Monday to Saturday.
Congratulations & good luck to Min and the team!
COMING SOON TO FURZEDOWN: Br3wery is to open a taproom serving their craft beers (with pizza from Naked Loaf) at 97 Moyser Road, where Belgiardino was previously located.
They’re aiming to open in March – we’ll keep you posted!
Tooting in 1990! Flashbak has published photographer Peter Marshall’s collection of photos from his walk through Tooting, where he captured photos of the people and the shops as he went. Some familiar sights here – what memories of Tooting does it bring back? Perhaps you can spot someone you know (or even yourself) in the photos?
Full collection via Flashbak.
An absolutely stunning photo of Tooting Bec Lido on a misty morning by South London Swimming Club member Kwok Ying Chan (Instagram: @soulsista_7) – thanks to @slsclido (Instagram) for sharing!
A couple of cracking Christmas window displays on Garratt Lane – La Pernella and Urban Brass Hardware both getting into the Christmas spirit!
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