Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
20% off for NHS workers at Tooting Market, a charity plant sale, have your say on how Tooting Common is run, food & drink deals, new openings, and so much more in Tooting!
20% OFF FOR ALL NHS STAFF in Tooting Market this Saturday 5th July, to celebrate NHS Day (see below)!
To mark the 77th Birthday of the NHS, all NHS staff will receive a 20% discount at participating traders in Tooting Market this Saturday! So if you work at St George’s, Springfield Hospital, a local GP – or anywhere within the NHS – why not head to the market, and show your NHS ID card to enjoy a discount. Look out for NHS discount signs at traders throughout the market!
A Tooting Market spokesperson said, “we’re proud to honour the incredible dedication of our NHS heroes – the discounts is our small way of saying THANK YOU for your tireless work saving lives and keeping our community well.”
Tooting Market is located at 21-23 Tooting High Street, and also has an entrance on Totterdown Street. Offer valid on Saturday 5th July 2025, at participating traders in Tooting Market. Ts and Cs apply.
Furzedown FACE charity plant sale this Saturday 5 July, 10am-2pm, outside 6 Chillerton Road, SW17 9BG!
There’ll be a fantastic assortment of beautiful blossoming bedding plants and sunflowers, as well as peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes and more!
All profits go to Furzedown FACE's local charities including The Furzedown Project and South London MND Association.
It's the final Furzedown Farmers' Market before the summer break, THIS SATURDAY 5th July, 9.30am-1.30pm – and the market's heading into the summer with a bang, with lots of superb local traders in attendance!
The popular and diverse market is a fantastic place to enjoy a Saturday morning / lunchtime, with top quality local businesses selling all sorts of produce, including hot food, wine, honey, homemade jams & cakes, along with books, plants, coffee & much more!
After the summer break, The Market will be back on Saturday 6th September and the first Saturday of every month thereafter!
Furzedown Farmers’ Market is located at Penwortham School, Penwortham Rd, London SW16 6RJ – just down the road from Tooting!
Dogs are very welcome!
See @furzedown_farmers_market (Instagram) for more details!
Join Tootin' Tidy this Saturday 5th July for a litter pick on Tooting Bec Common – meet at 11am at Tooting Bec station! Bags, gloves and litter picks provided.
More info via @tootin.tidy (Instagram).
Tooting-based Property Advisor Chuk, of Homes With Chuk, is helping clients discover the area with discount cards for local businesses – starting with Tooting’s Goldfinch!
He tells us, “Carrying out viewings during the week (especially on a weekend), I quite often meet potential buyers who are perhaps not familiar with Tooting.
"I obviously point out all the wonderful places on offer in the area, and when they ask where's best to grab a drink, I suggest a cocktail (or two!) at the fabulous Goldfinch bar (one of many fantastic bars and pubs in the area)!
“So, with that in mind, I've teamed up with Goldfinch to offer our very own 'Welcome' card. This allows potential buyers who have perhaps been viewing all day to pop in, relax, and enjoy one of the various cocktails on offer...I'm quite partial to the 'Jungle Bird'!
“Your first drink gives you 20% off, with your 6th drink free – and you don't need to drink them all in one sitting!
“The cards are available to those who have viewed a potential home – my way of saying 'Welcome To Tooting’!
"Look out for news of discount cards for more local businesses soon!"
Contact Chuk for more info – email chuk.agudosi@theagencyuk.com, call 020 8092 0200, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
Chuk Agudosi is a personal local property advisor, in partnership with The Agency UK.
Are you a local female footballer with persistent leg pain? Earlsfield-based Clinical Massage Therapist Rachel McKinlay is offering a specialised 16-week treatment program (at a reduced cost) for long-term leg pain in recreational female football players, combining professional massage and rehab therapy.
Rachel is looking for women aged 18+ who play recreational football to join her treatment program focused on ongoing leg pain, including recurrent ankle sprains, knee pain after matches, repetitive muscle strains, or any other leg pain lasting 3+ months.
What's included:
• Weekly 2-minute online pain assessments for 16 weeks
• 3 in-person massage therapy sessions over 6 weeks
• 3 online group rehab sessions on alternating weeks
To take part, you must be training or playing at least once a week and be available from September to October for massage and rehab treatment.
The program fee is £120 total for all sessions and support. If cost is a barrier, please get in touch with Rachel to discuss payment options.
Program Timeline:
• 21 July-25 August: Weekly check-ins and initial assessments
• 1 September-6 October: 3 massage + 3 rehab sessions (Weeks 7–12)
• 13 October-3 November: Final 4 weeks of progress monitoring
Interested? Visit www.restorearomatherapy.co.uk/researchproject or email restorearomatherapy@gmail.com
'Fat freezing' treatment (the common name for Cryolipolysis) is now available at Balham Beauty Clinic, which has a launch offer of 50% OFF all ‘Fat Freezing’ treatment booked by 31st July. See booking details below.
Balham Beauty Clinic have invested in state-of-the-art 'Cool360g' technology to carry out this non-invasive fat reduction procedure, that uses controlled cooling to target and eliminate stubborn fat cells.
Balham Beauty Clinic owner, Anna, tells us how it works:
"Cryolipolysis is a method in which fat cells are tackled by means of a cold treatment (fat will dissolve under -7°C). Cool360g works on this basis, using controlled freezing to cool fat cells in specific body zones until they crystalise. The body then gradually disposes of the fat cells in a natural manner. This procedure is often used to address stubborn fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise.
"The Cool360 treatment takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of zones. It is a safe and painless treatment, and not invasive. This means you can continue your daily routine almost immediately."
To find out more and book an appointment, call 0208 675 1721, visit their Treatwell page, or pop in to see them at 93 Balham High Road.
Balham Beauty Clinic is located at 93 Balham High Road, where they also offer all kinds of beauty treatments, including nails, waxing, massage and facials, with fantastic reviews on Google & Treatwell.
With the current hot weather, residents in Tooting and Wandsworth are reminded that it is against local byelaws to light fires or use barbecues in any of the borough’s parks and green spaces. People who contravene this byelaw could be prosecuted and fined.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) are also urging the public to follow advice to help prevent fires starting in the first place
LFB Assistant Commissioner Thomas Goodall said: “London is already facing its second heatwave of the year and we know that people will be looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the wonderful weather. But the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent months means the current risk of wildfires is severe.
“So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 14 wildfires in the capital. There have also been countless call-outs to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people's gardens.
“During this latest heatwave, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly. In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.
“If you’re heading out, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They can retain heat for several hours after use and are banned by local authorities from many of London's parks. Also make sure you are discarding of smoking materials properly and take rubbish home with you if no bins are available.
“At home, make sure your BBQ is positioned away from flammable items like fences, sheds, decking and trees and please don’t have any type of BBQ on your balcony.
“We’re also strongly advising people to avoid burning any waste in this type of weather and to not have bonfires, particularly in their gardens.”
Enable Parks Wandsworth, who manage Wandsworth Council’s green spaces (including Tooting Commons), are working with the council and their partners to deliver a new management and maintenance plan to guide the management of Tooting Commons until 2035, and they’re looking for local views to help shape the plan.
Together, Tooting Bec and Tooting Graveney Commons cover an area of 92 hectares and form the largest green space in the borough.
The new management and maintenance plan will provide a clear framework for decision making, and include priorities for delivery to ensure that the Commons can maintain their Green Flag status and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It will replace the Tooting Commons Management and Maintenance Plan 2015-2025.
You can help shape the future of the Commons by completing Enable’s survey and telling them how you use them, any issues that affect your enjoyment, and what improvements you would like to see. If you need to request a paper questionnaire or any other format, please contact parks@enablelc.org or call 020 3959 0060.
The survey closes 3rd August 2025 – click HERE for more info, and to complete the survey.
Wandsworth Council are warning drivers to be on their guard against thieves loitering by parking machines and stealing bank cards.
There have been thefts reported last week near Tooting’s St George’s Hospital, and in Clapham Junction.
The scammers convince their victims that the parking machine has “swallowed” their bank card. Parking machines cannot “swallow” or retain bank cards. If your card goes missing while using a parking machine, then you have been a victim of theft and should immediately cancel your card.
If you have been a victim of fraud, please cancel your card immediately and contact Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.police.uk
In an emergency call 999 or report a crime by calling 101 or online at www.met.police.uk
Firefighters are issuing a reminder about how to use e-bikes and e-scooters safely following a fire on Maskell Road in Earlsfield on Monday 30th June.
Part of the ground floor and most of the first floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by fire. One woman was assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service.
The fire is believed to have been caused by the failure of lithium-ion batteries for an e-bike.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you can, store an e-bike or e-scooter outdoors in an external location such as a garage or shed. However, we understand that this is not possible for everyone. If you keep an e-bike or e-scooter indoors, make sure it is never being stored or charged on an escape route, such as a hallway, by the front door or on or under a staircase. Instead, have it in a room away from the door, where in the event of a fire, you can shut the door and get everyone to safety."
E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London's fastest-growing fire risks. Since the beginning of 2023, there has been a fire involving an e-bike or e-scooter, on average, once every two days.
More info via London Fire Brigade.
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'Apericena Thursdays' have launched at local Italian restaurant, La Doc Italian Restaurant Wine Club on Balham High Road! 🇮🇹
Every Thursday, enjoy a Spritz + unlimited canapés for just £25 – and you can have a second Spritz for only £6 if you mention ‘Tooting Newsie’ when you book – there are 8 different Spritz to choose from!
Born in Milan, Apericena is a popular Italian social custom that combines the pre-dinner drink of 'aperitivo' with a wider array of food, effectively replacing dinner ('cena'). It's a cost-effective and social way to enjoy food and drinks, and La Doc owner, Gaetano is excited to bring this authentic Italian experience to the local area!
La Doc have been welcoming local residents to enjoy their authentic Italian food and extensive wine list ever since they opened in 2023, with fantastic Google reviews.
You’ll find La Doc located at 205 Balham High Road.
To book a table, please visit their website at ladoc.co.uk, call Gaetano on 07865 034 118, email ladoc.balham@gmail.com, or just walk-in if there's room!
La Doc is open Monday-Thursday, 5.30-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 12.30-10pm and Sunday, 12.30-5pm.
Join The Castle Tooting for a Country on the Common afterparty this Saturday 5th July from 2pm – free entry!
Expect toe-tappin’ tunes, cold drinks, and a dancefloor full of country fans ready to keep the good vibes goin’ – from classic anthems to modern hits, The Castle are servin’ up a soundtrack to stomp your boots to!
So round up your crew, throw on your boots and denim, and head to The Castle for a honky-tonk night to remember. Bring your cowboy hats, boots & your best country style!
More info via Castle Tooting.
Special Tandoori Biryani at Tooting’s Biryani Waala this Saturday & Sunday on the days of Ashura! Also new to the menu is the Mini Degi Biryani (takeaway only), perfect for small gatherings, parties, or family dinners! Available in chicken (£125) and beef or lamb (£145).
Biryani Waala’s Matka Biryani and Shahi Kheer are also available throughout the week!
Biriyani Waala is open 12pm-10pm every day at 326 Balham High Road, SW17 7AA. All food is halal, strictly no alcohol. For more info and to book or order, visit their website.
The first ever Tooting Delivery Cup held earlier this month was a great success, raising £1,190 for St George's Hospital Charity!
The grassroots football tournament, organised by Tooting Delivery, and hosted at Tooting and Mitcham United FC Imperial Sports Ground, brought together local businesses, volunteers, and the South West London community – and was won by Tooting business Soulful Delights!
Full story via Tooting & Mitcham United FC.
Another fantastic Community Fun Day took place on Broadwater Road in Tooting on, Saturday 28th June!
There was all sorts of fun and entertainment, including a play street, games and attractions, food, craft activities, rides, health advice and a range of stalls.
Local historian Geoff Simmons led an Africa in Tooting history walk, culminating in the unveiling of a plaque to remember Constance Cummings-John, an educator, activist and pioneer of women's rights in Africa, who once lived on Broadwater Road!
The annual event is a collaboration between Al-Risalah Schools' Trust, St Augustine's Church, and Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA).
The Egyptian Geese on Tooting Common have had some more goslings!
Dog walkers are asked to please keep their dogs on leads when near the lake, to keep the goslings safe from harm.
Thanks to Rosie Johnson for sharing on the Friends of Tooting Common Facebook group.
Tooting Bec FC Women are recruiting new players for their two teams for next season!
The vibrant, close-knit club is looking for players aged 16 and over, with past playing experience (and who’ll also enjoy the club’s many social events throughout the year). The women’s section has been growing over the last seven years and now has over 50 players registered.
Tooting Bec FC Women started out in 2018 in what was then known as Division 3 South of the Greater London Women's Football League (GLWFL) – they now play in the Premier Division of GLWFL, having gained two promotions. The club added a reserves side in 2021, who also play in the GLWFL.
The team are also proud supporters of breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel!
Training sessions are held in the Raynes Park area. Register your interest HERE.
Furzedown FACE held their annual Charity Garden Gig to raise money for local causes on Friday, 27th June!
The event, held in a lovely back garden in Furzedown, featured performances by talented local musicians and singers, with a special appearance from Abi Omonua, who has performed in many plays and musicals on the West End.
There was a delicious meal and a fun ‘Name That Tune’ challenge from pianist Andrew, with the evening ending with a sing-a-long with Abi and the Chillerton Choir.
There were raffle prizes from Howden Insurance Tooting, The Urban Wine Company, Rose & Herb, Eva's Pilates and The Coach & Horses pub. The event raised well over £2,000, with the money going towards The Furzedown Project, Learn To Love To Read, South London MND Association and other local causes.
Find out more about Furzedown FACE via their website.
COMING SOON TO TOOTING – The Ladz, serving peri peri chicken, burgers, pizza and more, are to open a branch at 229 Upper Tooting Road, where Raheem Stores was previously located.
We'll keep you posted...
COMING SOON TO TOOTING: The Treatment Rooms And Studio, which has been offering massage & wellbeing services on Balham High Road since 2020, is moving to a much bigger premises at 26 Tooting Bec Road, where they’ll also be holding gym, yoga, Pilates and meditation classes, workshops & more!
The Treatment Rooms & Studio will open for classes from next Monday, with their therapy rooms open from early July.
Owner, Tracy is also looking for health & wellbeing class instructors and massage therapists, who’d like to join her growing business! If interested, please email Tracy at info@treatment-rooms.com
You can find out more (and book classes) on their website.
Rebranded, Refurbished & Re-Opened in Tooting! Rung Mahal is the new name for Desi Khana, the family-run restaurant serving traditional Pakistani & Afghan cuisine at 84 Tooting High Street.
Brothers and local residents, Naveed & Iftikhar are excited to welcome regular and new customers to their venue, which has undergone a big transformation, but where you’ll still find the same great taste and affordable prices.
Naveed & Iftikhar tell us more:
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a loyal local following ever since we took over Desi Khana in 2020, especially lots of staff at St George’s who pop in for lunch or dinner, before or after their shifts. Many of these customers wanted to bring their friends and family, but our decor was a bit tired and outdated, which stopped them from doing that.
“So it was time for a change! We’ve reshaped the entire interior, with our kitchen now at the rear, created a really comfortable and smart seating area, and upgraded our bathroom to be wheelchair-accessible, with baby-changing facilities too.
“Our aim was to create calm and relaxing ambiance for our customers, and we feel as though we’ve achieved that. The feedback has been superb and we’re now ready to fulfil our potential!
“We felt that a new look warranted a new name, and we decided upon ‘Rung Mahal’, which means ‘Colourful Palace’. It is also the name of one of the oldest bazaar’s in the Walled City in Lahore.
“We offer traditional cuisine from Pakistan (especially Lahore) and Afghanistan, including special grilled platters and karahis, and can cook to order.
“We can’t wait for our loyal customers to enjoy our new look, and for new customers to discover us and find out what we’re all about!”
You’ll find Rung Mahal located at 84 Tooting High Street (diagonally opposite Sainsbury’s), Tooting Broadway, SW17 0RN, open 7 days a week, 12pm-12am.
Rung Mahal also offer delivery via their website as well as outside catering.
Congratulations and good luck to Naveed, Iftikhar, manager Aqib Ali, and the team!
Tooting Veterinary Surgery has opened at 5 London Road!
The new local practice is led by vet Alice, who is already well known to many local pet owners from their award-winning sister practice, Streatham Hill Veterinary Surgery, which has been running for over 35 years.
Tooting Veterinary Surgery is fully equipped to provide a comprehensive range of veterinary treatments and services, with access to 24 Hour vet care at Streatham Hill for out-of-hours emergencies.
Open Monday to Friday: 9am-7pm, Saturday 3pm-6pm (closed Sunday).
For more info (including booking), visit their website or contact the team directly but calling 0204 5877796 or emailing reception@tootingvets.co.uk
📍 5 London Road, SW17 9JR
Congratulations and good luck to Alice and the team!
Mitcham Road in Tooting of yesteryear! This fantastic photo comes from a HUGE collection currently available at Oxfam Earlsfield – they have historical photos, maps, documents, newspapers, and so much more.
Watch this space for more details, and follow @oxfam_earlsfield on Instagram to see their huge range of books, clothing, games, vintage tech, jewellery and so much more!
Find them at 535 Garratt Lane, SW18 4SR. Open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday.
This photo was taken sometime between 1931 (when the Granada, now Buzz Bingo, was built) and 1967 (when the Methodist Central Hall, seen near the right of the picture, was demolished) – although we'd suggest that this was taken nearer the 30s than the 60s, judging by the fashions and the traffic.
Beautiful floral window artwork at Adam Alexander London in Tooting Bec, created by Hanndrawn!
📍 11 Upper Tooting Road.
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