Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Street party fees waived for Car Free Day, a fire started by a tortoise, food & drink deals, a Share student works at the Wimbledon Championships, cycle for St George's, and more in Tooting!
Wandsworth Council are waiving fees for residents to host street parties in Tooting and around the borough to celebrate Car Free Day over the weekend of 20 to 21 September. Any street can apply to take part, providing it isn’t a main road, bus route or emergency vehicle route.
Full info via Wandsworth Council.
20% off bulky bedding cleaning at Tooting's A1 Dry Cleaners, with free local pick-up and delivery! Get duvets, blankets, pillows and mattress toppers cleaned for 20% less until the end of July!
Ahmet, Yasmin and the team offer eco-friendly cleaning, repairs & alterations, and more. Ahmet tells us, ”the summer is often when people get their bulky bedding cleaned, as it’s too hot to use it – especially with the recent heatwave! So why not take advantage of our great offer!
“We love serving Tooting and the surrounding areas, and are so grateful to the community who have been so supportive over the years! We offer a high-quality service for an affordable price, which has kept our customers coming back time and time again!”
“Either pop in and see us, or take advantage of our free pick-up and delivery service!”
Ts and Cs apply. Offer valid on duvets, blankets, pillow and mattress toppers until Thursday 31st July 2025.
Visit A1 Dry Cleaners at 919 Garratt Ln, SW17 0LT, book via their website, or call them on 07432 567066.
☀️ Summer Starter Offer at Pilates Republic in Tooting (includes a FREE Private Equipment Session worth £79)! ☀️
Pilates Republic owner (and Tooting resident) Sandra tells us, “Join our mat community this summer and receive a FREE Private Equipment Session (worth £79) when you start your membership (summer offer terms apply).
“Get personalised support, explore the Pilates equipment, and feel confident joining our classes. Your private session is bookable in July or August at our fully equipped Tooting studio with me or a member of my team.”
What’s included:
✔️ 1:1 private equipment session — FREE
✔️ Monthly mat membership starts in July or August (3-month minimum)
✔️ Trial mat class available before signing up
✔️ Flexibility if you're going away and miss classes
Class times at Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road:
🗓 Tuesday: 12:45pm
🗓 Wednesday: 7pm
🗓 Thursday: 7am or 8am
🗓 Friday: 12pm (12:50pm fully booked)
For new & returning members only:
✨ Trial & membership must start in July or August
✨ 3-month minimum commitment, paid monthly, either £55 or £66, depending on class.
Spaces are limited! Info & bookings via their website.
Seven hotspot areas in south west London (including Tooting High Street) have been named among the worst in the capital for street crime, theft and anti-social behaviour, sparking a major police crackdown this summer, reports Your Local Guardian.
Brixton Town Centre, Kingston Town Centre, Richmond Town Centre, Mitcham, Sutton High Street, Tooting High Street and Croydon Town Centre have all been listed among 20 hotspots across London where the Met Police say crime is at its most concentrated.
These areas will now see more officers, undercover patrols and joint enforcement action with councils and businesses in a bid to tackle persistent problems.
Full story via Your Local Guardian.
Firefighters from Tooting, Mitcham, Wimbledon and Wallington Fire Stations recently attended a fire started by a tortoise!
The mischievous tortoise and his canine friend were rescued last week from a fire on London Road in Mitcham.
The fire was caused by the tortoise knocking over his heat lamp which fell onto the hay, a combustible material, in his aquarium.
The Brigade was called to the fire at a maisonette on the fourth floor of a residential block of flats on Thursday 10 July, where firefighters found a small fire in one room.
After being made aware that there were two pets in the property, crews found and rescued a tortoise and a dog who was hiding under the stairs. Both animals were returned safely to their thankful owner.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "It is really important that heat lamps are secured properly to prevent them from being accidentally knocked over.
"They are usually positioned near hay or sawdust, which are both highly flammable materials. When they are not in use make sure they are switched off to avoid over-heating."
The Brigade was called at 1140 and the fire was under control by 1222.
📷 London Fire Brigade
A new hotel in Tooting will be used as temporary accommodation as demand from homeless families rises, reports My London. Wandsworth Council is set to enter into a lease with London Housing Group (LHG) to use a new block of 186 units near Tooting Broadway Underground station as temporary accommodation for homeless people in the borough.
A new report by council officers said the move will reduce the authority's reliance on nightly paid arrangements to place homeless people in temporary accommodation, often in hotels or B&Bs, which are more expensive and unpredictable. The council predicts it could initially save up to £1million a year by moving families currently in its most expensive placements, often outside of the borough, to the block.
The council's cabinet approved plans to enter into a six-year lease with LHG to use the 186-unit block as temporary accommodation on July 14. The block is due to be completed at the end of the year and each unit will have a kitchen and ensuite bathroom.
Full story via My London.
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Balham independent bookshop & bar, Backstory bookshop are now offering Lockdown Liquor & Co cocktails – perfect to sip up at the bar whilst browsing Backstory’s summer reading guide!
Balham-based Lockdown Liquor & Co use the best quality ingredients & distilleries resulting in unique and award-winning cocktails that deliver simplicity and consistency with every serve. The cocktails on offer at Backstory are a Passion Fruit Martini, Negroni & a Non-Alcoholic Forest Picante.
Backstory have recently launched 'Your Summer Reads' - their expert guide to 77 books read by Backstory's booksellers and recommended for your holiday. You can pick up the guide in their shop, or download it via their website.
You'll find Backstory located at 71 Balham High Road, open 7 days a week, 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays & Fridays. It’s also dog-friendly!
Get a pint of house lager for only £1.99 at Burger Nine in Broadway Market Tooting every Tuesday & Wednesday in July when you order a burger and fries!
Munir and the team have been wowing Tooting with their incredible burgers since opening earlier this year. Munir tells us, “I want to say thanks to my loyal customers (and also to welcome new ones) by offering a pint for just £1.99 when you buy a burger and fries!
“Why not try one of our best sellers – our Smash Plus (double beef with caramelised onions, double American cheese, onions, gherkins, burnt butter mayo, and smoky mustard) or our Smash 3.0 (with cheese, pulled beef brisket, Carolina sauce, house red pickles and gherkins). And all burgers come with fries!”
Find Burger Nine near the Longmead Rd entrance of Broadway Market. Open 5pm-10.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm-11.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 12pm-9pm Sunday.
Ts & Cs apply. Offer valid until Wednesday 30th July 2025. Eat-in only. Minimum spend £15. One pint per person per order.
More info via Burger Nine (Instagram).
There's a Summer Sale at popular Tooting French bistro & steak house, Bordelaise, who are offering Buy One Steak, Get One FREE, from Tuesday 22nd - Sunday 27th July only!
Capacity is limited, so book a table early to avoid disappointment! You can reserve a table via their website.
The quality of their food and service has seen Bordelaise awarded a prestigious Diner Choice award, with their menu featuring dishes including their classic steaks, duck breast and Sunday roasts, as well as starters and small plates, with plenty of vegan options available.
You'll find Bordelaise located in the rear of Broadway Market, Tooting at 29 Tooting High Street, open Tuesday to Sunday from Noon.
To reserve a table, visit their website.
Please Note: The 'Summer Sale' offer is only applicable to their Tooting branch.
Who's enjoyed Wimbledon? Local charity Share's Steps into Employment students certainly did! Back in April, Share announced that six of their students had secured paid jobs at Wimbledon 2025, and now the time has finally come for them to get stuck in.
The charity says, “Charlotte is one of those students, and she’s been doing a fantastic job at the No.1 Court Shop. She’s been stocking shelves, welcoming customers, handing out baskets, and working on the till.
“Here she is, proudly wearing her Wimbledon uniform and standing alongside her Retail Team colleagues on the court – go Charlotte!
“We'd like to say a massive thank you to the Wimbledon Foundation for partnering with us through the Work at Wimbledon initiative. This is such an amazing opportunity for people who face barriers to employment to gain real-world work experience. Our students are showcasing the skills and knowledge they've been working hard to develop in their Steps into Employment sessions, and we couldn't be more proud!”
Share is a charity providing programmes and activities to empower adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live happier, healthier and more independent lives. More info on their website.
The London to Brighton Cycle Ride is back on Sunday 14th September, and Tooting's St George's Hospital Charity is thrilled to have Team George's taking part for the 7th time in a row – and they're looking for cyclists to sign up and help them fundraise!
Join a fantastic cycling adventure which takes you out of London along quiet country lanes, soak up the incredible views of the South Downs, before making your way down to the finish line on Brighton beach front.
For more info and to sign up, visit the St George’s Hospital Charity website.
Urgent adoption appeal from RSPCA South London!
Unfortunately, Ruby and Ronan’s adoptive home has fallen through and they’re still waiting for their furrever home!
They are 10 weeks old, very friendly, and would be happy with children and other pets. Please email enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk to apply.
There is a £120 adoption fee for all cats, which goes towards all the vet treatments they have while with the charity, including vaccinations, flea and worming treatment and neutering.
Local charity, Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees (WWR), is recruiting for two part time posts:
A Community Engagement Officer to support WWR's Committee and engage with organisations interested in becoming part of the sanctuary movement. One year, part time. More info here.
A Project Outreach Officer to work with WWR and Wandsworth Children's Libraries to expand visibility of children's books and resources on refugee and migration experiences. This contract is for approximately five months to work part time between the time of engagement and January 2025. More info here.
Application deadline for both posts: 25 July. More info via Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees.
South London Swimming Club is looking for feedback about Tooting Bec Lido, and is asking lido users to share their views.
Their survey is designed to hear from everyone who uses the Lido – whether you're a regular swimmer, occasional visitor or a South London Swimming Club (SLSC) member.
Your feedback will help them better understand how people use the Lido, what they value most, and what improvements or changes would make the experience even better.
Click here for more info and to fill in the survey.
📷 @slsclido (Instagram)
Last Wednesday, Howden Insurance Tooting hosted a Lions watch party for students and teachers from Tooting’s Ernest Bevin Academy! Howden Tooting work closely with the school on work experience and regularly invite their students to their offices to give them an insight into a career in the insurance industry.
Howden has brought the rugby spirit to Tooting this summer, celebrating the game, supporting local rugby and bringing the community together, all as The British & Irish Lions has kicked off their highly anticipated tour.
Matt Hillier, Centre Manager at Howden Tooting said, “We’re thrilled to share in the excitement of The British & Irish Lions with our community here in Tooting. Rugby brings people together, and as a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, we’re proud to help bring that spirit to life locally with events that everyone can enjoy.
In addition to the events, Howden branches across the UK are working with their local rugby clubs, running community boot exchanges (including at their Tooting branch) and honouring Lions Origin clubs who have shaped the past, present, and future of the Lions by producing and guiding players through their rugby journey. These clubs will be presented with a commemorative plaque honouring their contribution to the sport.
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 (including about their in-branch boot exchange!).
Upper Tooting Road, with Trinity Road on the right and Stapleton Road on the left, c. 1912!
The Wheatsheaf Tooting public house, on the right, rebuilt in 1892, has probably served travellers since the late seventeenth century. The pub name may reflect the local agricultural produce before the late nineteenth century.
From Images of England: Balham and Tooting, compiled by Patrick Loobey, ISBN 0-7524-2203-0
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