Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Have your say on changes to Furzedown Rec, lots of summer food & drink deals, new openings, a chance to help local hedgehogs 🦔, Tooting turns out for the eclipse, and much more...
Our weekly newsletter is sponsored by Tooting’s family-run Lahore Karahi – a local institution since 1995! – who are currently offering 20% OFF all collection orders when you order direct via their website at lahorekarahi.co.uk. Ts & Cs apply.
Events coming up at Tooting’s House of Ora!
📅 🎵 FRIDAY 14th AUGUST - LONDON MUSIC SHOWCASE
Expect a mix of indie rock, alt rock and everything in between as some of London’s most exciting up-and-coming artists perform. Featuring RIA RUA • SUNSARA • IONA TRAINER • DIRT3. Doors: 6:40pm | Ends: 10pm. Tickets £12.78 HERE.
House DJ from 10.00pm-2.00am, free entry
📅 SATURDAY AUGUST 15TH
5pm-7pm:🍸 Discover the Soplica VODKA WORLD POP-UP, a unique 90-minute tasting experience featuring 45 incredible flavours to explore. Sample a huge range of cocktails and drinks, discover your favourites and enjoy the evening with friends. ✨
£25 per person • Limited spaces available. Tickets HERE.
10pm-2am: IKON 🌈 Welcome to the IKONic new chapter of QUEER NIGHTLIFE. 🌈 Expect a carefully curated mix of house, techno and high-energy dance music, powered by a state-of-the-art sound system and a crowd ready to celebrate queer culture in South West London. Tickets from £12 at Outsavvy.
📅 🎵 🍸 SUNDAY AUGUST 16TH
1pm-7pm: Killerwatt Carnival Sound is spinning the music for a special VODKA afternoon. Join Fat Freddie M & GBS for soul, disco, reggae music old and new while you take in the 45 flavours of Soplica Vodka! Tickets on door.
Enquiries: info@wearehouseofora.co.uk
📍 House of ORA, 48A Mitcham Rd, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9NA
Crispin and Esme Green are 2026 Artists in Residence at Furzedown’s Sprout Arts throughout August, offering a series of free workshops, talks and activities, exploring intergenerational stories of place, heritage and connection.
Crispin has worked in the voluntary sector, with prisoners and the homeless on art projects, and Esme is the Founder of Creative Voices Collective, a creative wellbeing organisation.
Esme is running creative workshops on heritage and personal connections to people and places, with fun sessions using collage, painting, lino prints and a chance to ‘Sing Out’.
Crispin will host talks – ‘The Lost Hospital of Tooting’ by the Tooting History Group, ‘Books, Bombs & Art’ with historian Jeanne Rathbone, and ‘Prisons’ with an assembled panel discussion. The residency will end with a celebratory community get-together.
Open 11am-5pm Wednesday-Saturday until 29th August – all welcome!
All workshops and talks are free. Visit sproutarts.com for more info.
📍 Sprout Arts, 74 Moyser Road, SW16 6SQ
The Leather Bottle in Earlsfield has lots of upcoming events, with something for everyone! See below for booking details. 👇
Do Afternoon Tea Week the Leather Bottle way! Until 16th of August, pick from bottomless tea to a glass of bubbles – or level up with a Warners Gin pairing! Pre-booking only.
The pub will be hosting a Teddy Bear’s Picnic (with a children’s entertainer) on Friday 21st August, with slots at 1pm and 2pm slots depending on kids’ ages.
And try your hand at pottery painting on Friday 28th August!
For full info and booking for any and all of these events, visit their website.
📍 Leather Bottle, 538 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield SW17 0NY
🌎🔥 GLOBAL STREET FOOD FIESTA IS COMING TO TOOTING! 🔥🌍
Get ready for a night of food from around the world, plus drinks, live music and good vibes at Broadway Market Tooting! 🥘🍔🍣🍹🎶
🎧 Live DJ
🎸 Live Band
🌎 Global food & drinks
🔥 Exclusive food & drink offers
🎟️ FREE ENTRY
📅 20th August
⏰ From 7PM
📍 Broadway Market, 29 Tooting High St, SW17 0SP
🎟️ GET YOUR FREE TICKET via Eventbrite.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You’ll only be able to claim the exclusive discounts and offers if you have your FREE Eventbrite ticket. Simply show your ticket at participating units to receive their offer.
Grab your ticket, bring your friends and come hungry! 🌎🔥🥂
The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 15th August, in seven locations around Wandsworth, including Tooting. Skips will close when they’re full, or 12 noon – whichever comes first.
Mega Skip Days are an opportunity for people to dispose of bulky items for free. Large skips are placed in neighbourhoods around the borough for all local residents to use.
The skips are open to residents of the London Borough of Wandsworth only. Proof of address may be required on the day.
More info, including details of what you can bring and when & where the skips will be open, via Wandsworth Council.
Thinking about selling before the year is out? 🏡 Tooting-based property advisor Homes with Chuk has a 5-point checklist to help put you on the right path...
“Pricing is the big one. If it feels too high to you, and your agent’s locking you into a 3 or 4 month contract, chances are your instinct is spot on.
“Timing matters too. September has always been one of the strongest months, with buyers returning from summer holidays with a genuine goal of being settled in their new home before the year ends. It’s also a great time to make a change if you’ve been considering it. A new agent can bring a fresh approach, strategy and energy. Your home then appears ‘new’ to buyers, landing fresh in their search notifications rather than looking stale.
“Don’t underestimate the small stuff either. A tidy front garden, a fresh coat of paint on the door, little jobs around the home, they all add up the moment a buyer walks through.
“On solicitors, if you trust your agent, trust who they recommend. If you’d rather choose your own, just have an honest chat with them about their workload first – this can make or break your timeline.
“And finally, whoever you choose to sell with, don’t get locked into a long tie-in agreement. You should always feel free to make the right choice for you.
“If you’re on the fence about listing, let’s have that coffee. ☕️
“And don’t panic....if September/October feels too soon then January isn’t too far away!
“Born and raised in Tooting. Looking after a small handful of homes across Tooting, Balham and Streatham personally. 🤍”
See the full post HERE.
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!
Pilates Club at Tooting’s Instant Physio has launched, led by Physio and Pilates instructor Niamh – with a FREE screening session for Tooting Newsie readers (see below).
Niamh tells us, “The club has only been running for a couple of weeks, and we’ve already had one member able to touch her toes for the first time in years. Another said it just feels good to have her muscles ache (in a good way!) again – without flaring up an old injury.
“Our classes are small, with a maximum of four people. And as I’m also a physiotherapist, I have a deep knowledge of how to treat injuries, so you get the best of both worlds.”
Special offer for Tooting Newsie readers: your initial screening session with Niamh (normally £83) is free when you sign up to any group class package. Just mention this when you book HERE.
Instant Physio is a leading physio clinic in Tooting for physiotherapy, strength training and clinical massage, helping you recover faster and stay active for life.
📍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
If you have chipped, cracked or broken teeth, local dentist, Ten Dental on Balham High Road are experts in the provision of composite bonding treatment to repair them – and get them looking like new!
Ten Dental co-founder, Nik Sisodia tells us how it works, “Composite bonding uses tooth-coloured composite resin to repair chips, cracks or broken teeth, or to improve the proportions of your smile if you feel self-conscious about gaps or the shape of your teeth.
“Composite bonding requires no drilling or damage to the natural tooth – a small amount of resin will be added to the affected tooth or teeth to improve it’s proportions, colour and appearance. The resin is sculpted to the desired shape as it sets so that it covers and fills your damaged teeth.
“The composite will perfectly match the colour of your teeth to ensure a natural result, and so that no one will notice any difference from a natural tooth or teeth. Composite bonding is a more affordable alternative to some cosmetic dental treatments like veneers.
“Check out these examples of our bonding treatment to see the difference it makes!”
To find out more and to book a free consultation, WhatsApp 07308716397, call 020 8672 7766, email hello@tendental.com or pop in to see them at 156 Balham High Road.
You can also find out more on their website at tendental.com
Whether you’re new to fitness, recovering from injury, or want to get in the best shape of your life, Enhance Fitness are here to help you achieve your goals!
Enhance have been helping hundreds of local residents get fitter & stronger over the past few months, with 5 star reviews!
Enhance offer a packed and varied schedule of classes each week, alongside Small Group PT (max 4 members to 1 PT), 1:1 PT sessions, and personalized nutrition advice and support.
They also offer all sorts of options to enable you to try out the gym and get a taste of what they’re all about:
• 3 classes for just £30
• 21 Day Trial (6 Small Group PT + 6 classes) for just £139
• 6 Week Transformation Trial (12 Small Group PT sessions + 12 classes + personalized nutrition plan + weekly coaching check-ins) for just £399
Their packed schedule of weekly classes include strength, hybrid strength and cardio, Hyrox endurance training and pre & postnatal sessions – all led by their fantastic team of experienced and dedicated PTs.
No matter where you’re starting from, with Enhance’s expert coaches, proven methods, and supportive community behind you, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
To book a trial or find out more, visit enhance-fitness.com, email info@enhance-fitness.com, or call 07716506009.
📍593 Garratt Lane, SW18 4ST. They also have a studio in Clapham Old Town!
*Trials are available for new members only.
Balham’s Edward James Salon are offering 25% OFF Colour, Cut & Blow-Dry services, Monday-Thursday until 31st August – their biggest discount of the year is back – see below how to claim!👇
Clients can save 25% on any colour service with cut and blow-dry worth £150 or more, when booked with the salon’s New Talent, Associate or Stylist levels.
⭐ Quote ‘TOOTING25’ and notify the team when booking
⭐ Minimum spend £150 before discount applied
⭐ One use per person per promotional period
⭐ £30 booking deposit required per service to secure your appointment
The team of hair experts at the bespoke Aveda salon on Balham High Road offer award-winning colouring and styling services, extensions, keratin treatments and a first-class salon experience tailored just for you!
To book or for full T&Cs, call the Balham salon on 0203 978 4415 or email balham@edwardjameslondon.com
Find out more at edwardjameslondon.com
Edward James is located at 162 Balham High Road, open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-6pm.
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!
Patients and visitors can now navigate their way around Tooting’s St George’s Hospital and Epsom Hospital more easily, with the launch of the Trust’s new ‘Find your way around our hospitals’ digital wayfinding service.
Designed to make visiting hospital simpler and less stressful, the free digital wayfinding service allows patients to plan a personalised route from home to their clinic, ward or other destination, with clear, step-by-step directions before and during their visit.
The wayfinding service includes accessibility features, helping to support different mobility needs by offering alternative routes where available, making it easier for more people to navigate the hospitals. More info via St George’s.
The application states: “Refurbishment of the existing playground, including the adjacent skatepark area with improvements to accessibility for children and young people with a variety of learning and physical disabilities.
“Transformation of the area surrounding the pavilion into a more welcoming and functional space, and to support future development potential. Introduction of a softer, more natural character to the recreational area and increase biodiversity.
“Provision of shade, primarily through additional tree planting. Improved flow and sightlines throughout the park. Enhanced social seating opportunities, to encourage informal gathering and interaction.”
Full details, including links to comment on the application (comments close on 03/09/2026), via Wandsworth Council.
Barbecues and fires are illegal in any of Wandsworth's green spaces
Wandsworth residents are reminded that barbecues and fires are illegal in any of the borough’s parks, commons and green spaces. People who do so could be fined.
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Due to popular demand, the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ offer at Indian Room in Balham has been extended until the end of August!
Every Monday to Thursday until Monday 31st August, they’re offering 50% OFF your food bill when dining in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner, drinks not included) – and you can do this as many times as you like!
To claim, book a table via their website and mention EOTHO in the comments section.
Using this offer, you could tuck into:
• seekh kebab (£8.95), chicken dhansak (£15.95) and mushroom rice (£4.75) - total cost = £29.65 - £10 discount = £19.65
• vegetable samosa (£6.50), paneer makhani (£12.95) and a garlic and coriander naan (£3.95) - total cost = £23.40 - £10 discount = £13.40
The award-winning restaurant offers a menu packed full of tasty starters, main dishes and sides from across the different regions of India. Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request, and they also cater for those with special dietary requirements.
Indian Room prides itself on making their cuisine as healthy as possible, without compromising on taste. All dishes are prepared without ghee and are therefore relatively low fat. They don’t use any artificial colourings, all meat is British bred from a farm in Devon, and only the freshest, seasonal vegetables are used in their cooking.
PLEASE NOTE: this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Indian Room is open 7 days a week (including for lunch on Saturday & Sunday), at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9EZ.
☀️ £5 SUMMER TUESDAYS AT Vermicelli in Tooting Market! 🍕🍝
🎉 Every Tuesday this summer
🍕 Pizzas from £5
🍝 Pasta dishes from £5
Vermicelli’s £5 Tuesday menu continues to be a huge hit! The popular Tooting restaurant serves up authentic Italian favourites with fresh homemade pasta and artisan pizzas made from 72-hour naturally fermented dough.
This is your chance to enjoy real Italian flavours at 1990s-style prices — but not for long! Book via their website.
✨ Fresh ingredients. Homemade pasta. Authentic recipes. Incredible value.
📍 Vermicelli, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN
📅 Every Tuesday this summer
Fire up the barbie! Chadwicks Butchers’ ‘Match Day BBQ Packs’ are available right through until the end of August – perfect for the warm weather AND the start of the football season!
The family-run organic butchers’ packs consist of:
🔥 4 American Burgers
🌭 6 Londoner Sausages
🍢 2 Argentine Chicken Kebabs
🥩 2 Turkish Koftas
🍖 2 Lamb Moroccan Kebabs
🍗 4 Spanish Chicken Legs
...primed & ready for the barbie - and all for the superb price of just £29.99!
📍109 Balham High Road, open 9am-5.30pm, open Monday to Saturday.
☀️ A new summer menu has launched at No3 at Nightingale Place in Clapham South - perfect for enjoying al fresco on their terrace, or in their bistro!
Their summer menu caters for all tastes, with plenty of delicious fish & meat dishes (including from the grill section) - plus vegetarian and salad options.
Their fantastic outdoor space looks directly over Clapham Common - an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely lunch, or enjoy the long evenings with a drink after work!
You’ll find the No3 terrace, restaurant & bistro open 7 days a week, located at 3 Nightingale Lane, by Clapham South tube.
You can just walk-in, or to find out more & book a table, visit their website.
Donations needed! Wandsworth Foodbank is welcoming donations of toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, shower gel and other essential toiletries.
This August they’re also looking for donations of:
• Tinned veg including sweetcorn
• Cooking oil (500ml please)
• Tinned fish including tuna
• Honey
• Peanut butter
• Jam
• Pasta and cooking sauces (jars)
These are much needed and so appreciated by local people and families referred to them in hardship.
For more info about what they need the most and where you can donate, visit their website.
Good luck to Sarah and Tom Stoten, who are swimming the Solent later this month to raise funds for Tooting’s First Touch!
Their daughter, Madeleine, was cared for on the neonatal unit at St George’s – Sarah describes their experience: “A year ago, just hours after Maddie was born, she became critically unwell and was rushed to St George’s neonatal unit.
“We discovered she had been born with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TOF), a rare condition which meant she needed life-saving surgery at just 24 hours old.
“The care Maddie received at St George’s was extraordinary. The neonatal team, supported by First Touch, cared for her and for us through the hardest days of our lives. We will never forget the care they gave Maddie, and the support they gave us when we needed it most.”
Sarah and Tom have already raised over £35,000 for their swim; some of the funds raised will go towards a much needed refurbishment of the St George’s neonatal unit milk bank, which not only supplies life saving bank milk to the unit, but also to Kingston, Epsom and St Helier’s and Croydon Hospitals.
If you’d like to donate, you can do so via their Justgiving page.
Yuri continues to go from strength to strength in his foster home! 💙
Over the past couple of weeks, he’s been growing in confidence and has recently started venturing out into the catio to enjoy some fresh air and watch the world go by.
He’s also become rather obsessed with his fosterer’s own cat... much to their cat’s disappointment! Yuri is always keen to make a new friend, even if the feeling isn’t quite mutual just yet.
RSPCA South London are so grateful to his foster family for giving him the time and patience he needs to continue building his confidence.
If you’d like to help the local RSPCA by becoming a foster, then please email them at enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk
Ever thought about joining South London Swimming Club’s friendly club swim training sessions at Tooting Bec Lido? The coach-led sessions take place early morning and evenings and can really make a difference to swim efficiency, stroke and fitness.
Info and booking via https://slsc.org.uk/training-sessions
Can you help with local hedgehog research? 🦔 Hogwatch London are collaborating with Furzedown Hedgehogs to monitor hedgehog activity and the impact of hedgehog highways in Tooting. Their research has identified the importance of garden habitats for hedgehog populations in urban areas, highlighting habitat fragmentation as a major threat to hedgehogs in London.
Hedgehog highway schemes aid in reducing this pressure by building a network of gardens, making green spaces more accessible for hedgehog populations.
If you’d like to get involved, you can do so by hosting a camera in your garden, filling out a questionnaire – or you may be able to install a hedgehog highway!
For more information about the project, including how to get involved, visit Hogwatch London.
Alongside their regular runs and socials, local community group, Tooting Run Club, offer two FREE weekly exercise classes led by qualified instructors, designed to help you get stronger, recover better, and try something new.
Held in the studio at the Tooting Bec Athletics track, these classes are beginner-friendly, open to all adults aged 18+, and require no gym membership.
🧘 Yoga for Runners – Tuesdays at 8pm
Loosen up tight legs, improve your mobility and flexibility, support recovery, and give your body some downtime.
💪 Strength & Conditioning – Thursdays at 7:30pm
Build the strength, stability, and power needed to support your running and general wellbeing.
🎟️ 100% Free (though booking is required via Eventbrite)
👋 Open to everyone aged 18+
🚫 No gym membership required
Classes are organised by Tooting Run Club, so they won’t appear on the studio timetable. If you do decide to join the gym at the Tooting Athletics track, TRC participants can access a discount – just ask for the Tooting Run Club Corporate rate.
Info and booking via Eventbrite.
📍Tooting Bec Athletics Track, Tooting Bec Rd, SW16 1RT
Tooting turns out for the eclipse!
A fantastic turnout on Tooting Common last night for the solar eclipse! Great to chat to Durga and Dan – and to see the eclipse projected multiple times through their colander!
If you’re a local business with a few empty desks, Earlsfield entrepreneur David Fletcher and his new venture, DeskMatch are here to help you put them to good use!
DeskMatch launches in Balham, Tooting & Earlsfield from 1st September and David is currently looking for the first 10 ‘Founding Desk Hosts’, and he’s keen for them to be right here on his doorstep – local people, local businesses, local desks!
David tells us, “Millions of office desks sit empty every day – quiet days, hybrid teams, space you’re already paying for. At the same time, plenty of local people are working alone at the kitchen table, trekking into town, or nursing a flat white for three hours just to get a bit of peace.
“DeskMatch puts the two together, matching spare desks with nearby professionals, freelancers, founders and remote workers who’d rather work five minutes from home.
“There’s nothing to install and no complicated office system to learn. You list the desks and days you’d like to offer, approve the people you’re happy to have in, and that’s it – you stay in control of who applies, when desks are available, how many people come in, what’s included, and how much you charge. DeskMatch handles the discovery, matching and booking.
“Beyond the extra income from space you’re already paying for, it’s a great way to meet local professionals – some of whom may well turn out to be future employees, customers or suppliers!”
If you’re a local business and you’ve got desks to spare and fancy being one of the first, get in touch with David at david@sw19labs.com.
You cal also visit his website at deskmatch.io
Good luck, David!
Tooting Broadway pre-1926 before the tube arrived! The photo would have been taken in or after 1911, as that’s when the statue of King Edward VII was erected (seen in its original position on the right of the picture).
Tooting was recorded as Totinge in 675 and Totinge in the Domesday Book. From c.1082 it comprised two manors – that of Upper Tooting and Tooting Bec, held in 1086 by the Abbey of St Mary of Bec in Normandy, and Tooting Bec is so named. The Broadway in Tooting Broadway refers to a large open space (not so much now though)!
Tooting is derived from a personal name of the Saxon Tota and the old English place name word ending ‘ing.’ – literally, ‘the people who lived at’. Tooting therefore means, ‘the home of Tota’s people.
Picture and info from “What’s in a name?” by Cyril M. Harris. ISBN: 9781854142412
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