Blazing sunshine greeted the 763 runners and 45 volunteers who brought themselves to gorgeous Tooting Common on 3rd May it was no surprise that the heat remained for this week’s parkrun Definitely a morning to drink your electrolytes before setting out everyone gathered for the main briefing by Niamh including Briony Watkins from Tooting Run Club who recently completed her couch to 5k journey and is now becoming a more confident runner week after week Huge congratulations must also go to Hannah and Martin who informed me they were getting married this afternoon and were celebrating with a pre-wedding parkrun Today’s top three were Mike Cummings in 16:55 Joe Elliott in 17:00 and Matt Raymond in 17:17 The first female finisher was Alex Gandee in 19:40 followed by Heather Barnish in 19:59 and Lydia Roll in 20:59 A massive thank you must also go to today’s volunteers for ensuring the event took place and ran smoothly © parkrun Limited (Company Number: 07289574) No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner A ‘controversial’ two-day country music festival will be held at Tooting Common this summer Enable Leisure and Culture has won a licence to hold Country in the Common over one weekend later this year which would feature ‘country blues and associated Americana music genres’ Wandsworth council approved contractor Enable’s plans to hold the two-day event from 12pm-10.30pm on the Saturday and 12pm-10pm on the Sunday in Lido Field with alcohol sales ending 30 minutes before closing The family-friendly event will have capacity for up to 6,000 attendees each day The festival will take place as part of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture The year-long programme will see a variety of arts and music events held across the borough which the council previously said would include ‘world-class performances and grassroots creativity’ The council’s licensing committee met on April 9 to discuss plans for Country on the Common which had received 15 written objections and two letters of support from the public ahead of the hearing raised concerns local residents would be unreasonably disturbed by noise from the festival which would attract crowds from outside of London Mr Whitaker said conditions proposed to ease the impact on locals did not appear robust enough including there not being enough stewards to ‘protect the neighbourhood’ “My concern is that there are too many risks here and there isn’t enough mitigation to help prevent the damage,” Mr Whitaker added said the plans had ’caused a considerable amount of controversy locally’ He said the group supported the festival on balance but warned there needed to be ‘very strong and appropriate safeguards to protect the common itself and the interests of other users’ told the hearing the company was experienced in staging major events – including in Battersea Park He said Lido Field would be able to support the festival as it previously hosted the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which was attended by around 10,000 people Mr Wales said: “I believe that we have addressed all the concerns raised by authorities and local residents The necessary conditions regarding noise management security and public safety have all been agreed upon with the statutory bodies and we are committed to running a really smooth The council’s licensing committee granted the licence after ruling the event was ‘suitable for approval’ Conditions on the licence mean the event will be guided by noise safety and crowd management plans to minimise disturbance to neighbours while attendees will not be able to take booze outside of the area The field will also need to be fully cleaned within three days of the festival ending Day and weekend tickets will be available to purchase for the festival in due course Pictured top: Entrance to Tooting Commons (Picture: Google Street View) Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Two new lifts provide step-free access to each platform from the main entrance of the station A £5.4m investment to improve the accessibility of a station in south west London has concluded with the completion of the scheme Work to construct two new lifts at Tooting station began in spring 2023 and was completed in January Each new lift provides step-free access to each platform from the main entrance of the station and down to platform level the project team installed new CCTV cameras to enhance the security of the station Thameslink has also invested £57,000 to put in a wide ticket gate for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs or luggage and will have soon finished refurbishing the front entrance and entire ticket hall which includes a new ceiling and improved lighting Network Rail’s contractors also enhanced a small patch of land close to the station with new planting for local residents to enjoy The station has remained open throughout the work minimising the impact on how passengers accessed the station said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to open our latest Access for All scheme at Tooting which will provide step-free access to those in wheelchairs or with pushchairs or heavy luggage to be able to reach their trains “We want our railway to be as inclusive as possible and Access for All is opening up travel by rail to more and more people with Tooting just the latest station to be completed and more to come across our network over the next few years.” Govia Thameslink Railway's Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: “Everyone at GTR is committed to building a more accessible and inclusive railway and we’re delighted our passengers at Tooting now have a step-free route to the platforms “Lifts benefit everyone who finds stairs a barrier and for some disabled passengers this project has the potential to be life changing "Coupled with the additional refurbishment of the front entrance and ticket hall we think this investment will make a huge difference for many local people.” to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years Families in Tooting have a brand-new place to turn for support and social connection in the heart of the community as Wandsworth’s third Family Hub officially launched today The hub was officially opened by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan and attended by Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan alongside local community leaders and residents The new space on Beechcroft Road is a game-changer for families in Tooting bringing essential services under one roof Instead of having to contact people right across the Council to get the support they need and children can access everything from parenting advice and early-years support to youth services digital skills and job training in one welcoming space The hub also hosts community-led projects like the Rackets Cubed Social Supermarket where families struggling to make ends meet can shop for groceries at a fraction of the price It’s all about making life easier and ensuring no one is left behind The Tooting Family Hub follows the successful launch of the Yvonne Carr Family Hub in Battersea and the Roehampton Family Hub This latest opening marks a significant step forward in Wandsworth’s commitment to supporting families and young people in their communities Today’s launch event was a vibrant community celebration featuring speeches from key figures and lively performances from local schoolchildren Guests enjoyed delicious food from local vendors and had the chance to experience first-hand the warmth and inclusivity of the new hub The former Tooting MP and current Mayor of London said: “The new Tooting Family Hub will play an important role in the local community helping families to get easy access to a wide range of services all in one place It’s a great example of the work the council is doing to help residents living in Wandsworth as we continue to build a fairer London for everyone.” The Tooting Family Hub has been shaped by local voices staff collaborated closely with local community to choose which services would be available and ensure the hub truly reflects the community’s needs At the launch, Wandsworth Council announced the expansion of its pioneering Baby Box scheme, the first of its kind in London. The scheme, which provides essential early-years support to new parents, will now be available to all residents eligible for Access for All a borough-wide initiative removing barriers to vital services said: "The Tooting Family Hub is all about making life easier for local families it means every family in Tooting has somewhere to turn so that every child can get the best possible start in life That’s why we’re also expanding our Baby Box scheme - offering new parents a little extra help when they need it most." Dr Venessa Swaby from A2ndVoice a not-for-profit organisation supporting families in Tooting for over a decade The new Family Hub in Tooting embodies this spirit by providing a safe and welcoming space where people of all ages can unite and build meaningful connections under one roof.” With the doors now officially open, the Tooting Family Hub is a testament to what can be achieved when the community’s needs are truly listened to it’s a place where families can feel at home Find out more about how Wandsworth is working with residents to shape local services Sign up to our newsletter I am in the fortunate position that my daughter has been living in South London for the last couple of years (supporting my parkrun tourism endeavours) and last Autumn she moved to Tooting Every time I visit on a weekend I get to experience a new parkrun I was able to walk to the start from her flat which took about 30 minutes  (I may have nosed in cafes on the way) on route there were lots of runners I guessed doing longer distances in Marathon season I am Co Event Director at my home parkrun Three Brooks to the North of Bristol so visits to other events do double as research to see if we can learn from what they are doing The first thing I spotted once on the common was that a mallet had been acquired to get the stakes and flags in the ground this is something we are also in need of as the lack of recent rain made the ground rock hard The bonus of the rock hard ground was the puddles when I considered my previous visit last November had disappeared I sat and chatted to the parkwalkers who were also visiting family then us first timers listened to the first timers brief from Shahenaz then the main Run Directors brief from Alberto There were lots of tourists and quite a few participants completing their first even parkrun including a lady from New York First Runner on Saturday was Mario Marco on his 5th visit to Tooting Common After the event I helped sort the tokens and reminisced with the event team re their recollections of living in Bristol There are typically 42 volunteers every week at Tooting Common Do let the event team know if you can help all the roles are relatively straightforward and training is provided Tooting Bec Lido will reopen to the public for the summer season on Thursday 17 April there's no better way to soak up the sun than taking a dip in this historic outdoor pool the Lido will open every day with two refreshing sessions per day alongside special April swim times to kickstart the season Last year, the 90-metre-long Lido enjoyed a £4m refurbishment safeguarding its future for the next 50 years Works upgraded the pool to make it better for everyone including a brand new pumphouse to keep water flowing and a modern UV filtration system to keep the water clean and safe The surrounding landscaping has also been enhanced offering the perfect backdrop for sunbathing or simply enjoying the vibrant summer atmosphere calls Tooting Bec Lido the “jewel in the crown” of South London's sports facilities celebrating its popularity and appeal to residents of all ages “With a £4m renovation safeguarding its charm and functionality for decades to come this iconic Lido promises endless fun in the sun for thousands of visitors this summer Mark your calendars and get ready to make a splash!” To book a ticket to the Lido, including a free Access for All ticket, you must register for a free membership on the Places Leisure website We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment please have your tickets available on arrival Bags will be checked before you enter the site we recommend booking in advance to guarantee your spot You are welcome to bring your own food however we do have a customer café sharp objects or breakable items are not permitted and will be confiscated For each session, 130 free tickets will be available for eligible residents under Wandsworth’s Access for All scheme. Access for All gives eligible residents 100% to 50% discounts on everything from gym sessions to swimming lessons working to help more residents get active every day and live healthier Tooting Community Kitchen is one of Wandsworth Mayor Sana Jafri’s chosen charities for this year When trained chef Darren first came to Tooting Community Kitchen Seeing a leaflet for free food was a turning point and the start of a six-year journey with the charity “I don’t know where I’d be without it,” says Darren who now cooks up a storm for one of Tooting Community Kitchen’s weekly lunchtime clubs. “I was homeless myself and came when I saw a leaflet for free food on a Saturday night “One day I said I’d love to come and volunteer Launched in 2018 with a handful of volunteers outside Tooting Market on a Saturday night sharing hot food and drinks for anyone in need As one of Wandsworth Mayor Sana Jafri’s three chosen charities for the year, Tooting Community Kitchen is supported alongside Home-Start Wandsworth and Rackets Cubed Still serving the homeless and vulnerable freshly prepared hot meals at twice-weekly stalls outside Tooting Islamic Centre in Upper Tooting Road the charity has expanded to include a food bank More than 50 regular volunteers welcome guests to be part of the warm and inclusive environment singing and dancing held on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Scout Hut in Tooting’s Church Lane.For 68-year-old Elaine “I’ve been coming for about two years and I like to keep busy and be creative with other people.” Originally finding out about the food bank Elaine soon started attending the Monday and Wednesday community club “I was really isolated because I had been in hospital for a long time,” she explains. “I suffer with anxiety trauma and depression and it’s really helped coming here because I’m not on my own so coming somewhere like this really helps.” With an open door for those in need to come along Tooting Community Kitchen has recently shared workshops focused on the cost of living and cooking on a budget The practical and emotional support helps hundreds of community members each year pointing out "sometimes this is the only hot meal they can get through the week” Volunteer Noreen Arshad adds: “It works both ways as we also learn from our interactions with the people who come here I get the reward of contributing something to the community.” Find out more by visiting Tooting Community Kitchen's website Thames Water are currently working on the A24 Upper Tooting Road which forms part of Transport for London’s road network The works are part of a £15m major infrastructure investment to reduce supply interruption and improve water supply Wandsworth Council are working closely with Thames Water and TfL to ensure disruption to residents is as minimal as possible during this time and we will remain in communication with them to ensure the works are completed as soon as possible Thames Water are using temporary traffic signals along Upper Tooting Road to manage traffic flow with a number of side roads closed between Beechcroft Road and Lessingham Avenue there will be temporary traffic lights in operation on Upper Tooting Road between the junctions of Brudenell Road and Totterdown Street Totterdown Street will be closed from 22 September to 3 November 2024 The junctions of Brudenell Road and Lynwood Road will remain closed until 6 October 2024 Derinton Road and Lessingham Avenue will remain closed until 13 October 2024 See table below for a list of junction closures Thames Water are using an installation method called ‘slip-lining’ which avoids having to excavate along the length of the works then push the new pipe through the old pipe The new plastic pipes are welded on site before they are pushed through the old pipe This is why the fenced off-site area around 100m in length For more information you can visit Thames Water You can contact Thames Water with any concerns or questions you may have on 0800 316 9800 or email customer.feedback@thameswater.co.uk Today’s (Saturday 18 January) community drop-in was held in St Boniface Church where the Leader of Wandsworth Council Simon Hogg addressed the concerns of Tooting Broadway and Furzedown residents The community drop-in held for residents of the Tooting Broadway and Furzedown wards was the latest in a series of events that give local people a chance to connect with council officers ward councillors and the police in-person in their local area.  The monthly drop-ins offer refreshments and a chance to ask questions directly to the leader about issues that concern them.  Also present at the event was an “ideas map” of the borough offering attendees a chance to point out specific locations that may need attention or investment.  Neighbourhood Watch were in attendance as a partner organisation.  The Leader of the Council, Simon Hogg listened to residents concerns and responded to queries about community safety, fly-tipping, parking which are the first of their kind in London When asked about the lack of investment in Tooting, he highlighted ongoing work to declutter the town centre; making safer crossing points along Mitcham Road and increased investment in roads and pavements. In addition to this, the third of our Family Hubs will soon open in Tooting and this will offer wrap around support for families Keeping the streets clean were also raised, reiterating the councils aim to make a Cleaner Borough for all.  Simon said: “It is great to be in Tooting today to hear from local residents about what matters most to them As a listening Council we host monthly drop-ins around the borough to learn what issues are specific to each community.  other Councillors and Council services to hear first-hand about a broad range of issues – whether that’s discussing cost of living support fly tipping or concerns about community safety.”  More than 100 residents attended to have their concerns about the local area addressed.  We regularly hold community drop-ins across the borough to provide an opportunity for you to discuss important topics and find out more about Council services Want to come to the next community drop-in session? Find out more about the Leader’s community drop-in sessions. Can’t make it to a session? Share your views on our various consultations, or submit a comment, query, complaint or compliment to us via our website. Joe Kilshaw took his tally to 15 goals for the season including four in his last six appearances Jersey Bulls went top of Combined Counties Premier South after a 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United The Bulls are ahead of second-placed Redhill on goal difference with a game in hand following the victory at Springfield Joe Kilshaw gave the islanders the perfect start as he calmly slotted home in the fourth minute after being put through on goal Euan van der Vliet had to be alert to keep out Tooting 13 minutes later as the Bulls went into half time 1-0 up Lorne Bickley settled any home nerves six minutes into the second period when Miguel Carvalho nicked the ball off a defender and slipped in the Bulls' record goalscorer Bickley struck the post two minutes later while Karl Hinds hit the bar with a 69th-minute free-kick before he made it 3-0 when he slotted home from Carvalho's assist with eight minutes to go James Carr wrapped up the win in stoppage time as he tapped in Jonny Le Quesne's pass The win is a boost as Bulls prepare for back-to-back games with Redhill - matches which could well decide if the islanders can win the title and earn promotion to the Isthmian League but will Yamal build legacy to rival Messi 'Calamity keeper' or 'human wall' - which Donnarumma will Arsenal face Premier League reaction & Champions League race latest as Forest draw at Palace The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Palmer's brilliance could be key moment in Chelsea's Champions League quest Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Still number one & 'sparring' with Draper - return of Sinner Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Two opposing views on football's transgender ban Copyright © 2025 BBC. 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Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 24th February 2025 by ianVisits in Transport News Tooting station in south London has gained step-free access after two lifts came into use a couple of weeks ago Tooting station runs underneath a road bridge The station is quite tightly hemmed in on both sides so there was just about enough space next to the stairs to squeeze in two new lifts these are smaller lifts than Network Rail usually installs but short of building a large footbridge at the far end of the platform there wasn’t anywhere else to put the lifts the design allowed for lifts with double-sided doors which is the preferred model for lifts as it allows people to walk in and walk out the other side without having to reverse backwards to leave According to a member of staff in the station the two lifts came into use on Monday 10th February 2025 The station is served by Thameslink trains This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here Quite why this was actually delivered many months later than scheduled has never properly been addressed “Delayed staff training” by Thameslink was reported by some Certainly the contractors packed up about six months before the lift came into operation and website in this browser for the next time I comment and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits Register to Drapers to read ONE FREE article and a FREE digital edition Independent department store group Morleys has confirmed that it will close its Tooting The final day of trading of Morleys' Tooting department store will be Wednesday The 38,200 sq ft property located at 103-111 Mitcham Road has been sold by Morleys Stores for redevelopment into 24 private residential units with commercial space on the lower ground and ground floors Morleys decided to close the Tooting location as part of a trading and property review of the business the building "does not justify the investment needed to update the site for its current retail use" the business expanded its Camp Hopson location by opening a new 20,000 sq ft homeware space adjacent to its original store Morleys' Brixton location underwent a £3m refurbishment Morleys said it "continues to seek opportunities to expand its portfolio of stores subject to the correct strategic fit" In November, Morleys appointed Allan Winstanley to the role of chief executive Tags Footwear brand Skechers will be taken private after it agreed to be… Hugo Boss Group has reported a decline in EBITDA during the first… Sportswear brand Castore and men's and minimalist clothing label Arne are among… Get full access to all the fashion industry news and intelligence you need Browse the archive of more than 55,000 articles read the daily and weekly newsletters in full and gain priority access to Drapers events A little advance planning - we are planning to run a New Year's Day 2025 Tooting Common parkrun event  But we are taking break for Christmas Day itself My visit to Tooting Common parkrun today was not planned in advance as I was an under the weather this week with a heavy cold so was unsure if I would be able to make parkrun on Saturday As such I did not make my decision on a potential venue until Thursday evening and knew this week my friend Caroline would not be running with me by choosing Tooting I could see family after without too much extra travel it also meant I could make my final decision on Saturday morning depending on how I felt on waking (well enough to not miss out) I arrived at the Dr Johnson Avenue car park at 8am there were a number of cars already parked up but of course not necessarily all here for parkrun This car park is free which I would say is quite rare in London I expect the car park does get busy and fill up closer to 08:30am as Tooting is a popular parkrun I had arrived early in order to explore and walk my dog Milo so that he was comfortable to jog along with me without too many stops and distractions It was drizzling as I got out of the car which certainly was not forecast and there was no rain showing on any weather app There is a toilet block on entering the park from this car park I walked along the path passing tennis courts and a children’s play park on my left and the lake was on my right A pretty sight for a Saturday morning and lovely to have the opportunity to walk around the common and take in the autumnal colours before heading to the parkrun start/finish area The parkrun starts on a tarmac path not too far from the cafe which you come to after children’s play park Tooting Common parkrun started on 30/01/2016 with 200 runners/walkers and 30 volunteers and getting their highest attendance on 11/01/2020 where 1092 runners and walkers took part supported by 36 volunteers Today Tooting Common parkrun had their highest attendance (809) since resuming events in July 2021 after the covid lockdown period The first timers briefing today was given by Mike Morfey who was also one of the tailwalkers today During his briefing we established where some people were visiting from a wide range of locations including the following: Sussex Jez Heard was the Run Director (RD) today and he started off his main briefing introducing Inspector Burke from Putney who had come along with a team of officers and PCSOs from Furzedown and Tooting Bec Safer Neighbourhood teams They were in attendance today to provide general crime prevention advice but also raising awareness of violence against women and girls Insp Burke acknowledged that as the dark nights draw in early runners are vulnerable but he and the team were available today for anyone who wanted any advice and reassurance Some of the team also took part in today’s event in true spirit of the parkrun community and family we all are I went and spoke to Jez and offered to write up a report of my visit and got to meet some of the regulars including Louisa who was helping to set up today and Hannah with her gorgeous cavapoo Bertie Hannah was parkwalking today and like me volunteered on the day as she had been unwell this week too Please remember to offer and volunteer every now and then as each event relies on volunteers This is the first parkrun I have been to where I have seen a separate briefing given to the course marshals this was given by Simon Gallacher who was also a marshal himself and was easily spotted donning a kilt  The course at Tooting Common is flat and has a PB potential The route involves 3 anti-clockwise laps in a triangle shape on tarmac and trail paths It was not very wet today but I can imagine some of the trails paths where leaves fall and gather could get slippery in wetter weather It was a busy one here at Tooting Common today this did mean a queue for the later finishers to get into the funnel and where I saw the importance of staying in line today with a couple of people running backwards to run a bit more for their Strava data but this did not help when the timekeepers came out to time people in before the start of the funnel and those who had ducked out then came back and wanted to be added to their original finish position in the line  Please can everyone stay in line and listen to the volunteers and funnel mangers to not cause issues with the results To help ease the token sorting process at the end they have placed marked numbered plastic bowls in the finish area I ran my 87th parkrun at my 66th different venue and extended my tourist streak to 57 Thank you to all the volunteers today who helped bring on event 380 at Tooting Common today: of whom 189 were first timers to Tooting Common along with 42 Volunteers Male: George Henry in 17:03 - 3rd parkrun here at Tooting Common and a new course PB her 18th parkrun and 10th one here at Tooting This was 1 second short of her course PB (19:52) There were 60 complete newbies taking on parkrun for the first time today This may be the start of a new Saturday morning routine which you will also find takes places on other days when you start touring and doing extra events in other countries - so it’s not just Saturdays when parkruns happen Well done in particular to Robert Street and Matthew Hall for their 250 parkrun milestone Thank you Tooting Common parkrun for having Milo & I Traders in Tooting market have raised concerns over management after a series of rent rises which they claim are “pushing” businesses out of their long-time homes Ernest Nelson-Homiah, 67, who has run Maat African Art from Tooting Market for 13 years was locked out of his unit last month after refusing to pay a 75 per cent rent increase He has now been forced to leave the market having spent the past month moving his property into storage who made a name for himself for his sale of unique tribal artworks up from £200 per week from market operator Palas Properties Ltd in August 2024 According to Palas Properties, Mr Nelson-Homiah had “historically” paid low rent and the rise intended to bring his rate in line with other traders running units of a similar size Unlike previous rent adjustments over his tenancy Mr Nelson-Homiah said he found out about the rent rise after an “alarming” notice was taped to his shopfront He said: “There were no dates on the notice “The rent rise was way too much for me to pay After he refused to pay the initial increase the operators said they attempted to lower the rate to £275 per week also included other conditions which Mr Nelson-Homiah said he could not accept Mr Nelson-Homiah said: “We all know what is happening here “People who can’t afford the rent rises get pushed out Management moves in bigger traders who can afford these prices so they get more money.” Responding to the news that Tooting Market would be losing Maat African Art residents took to social media to express their concern One wrote, “Ernest I’m gutted to hear of your rent rise, which is ridiculously high”, whilst another warned the market “will simply be food courts soon”, describing the closure as “another one biting the bitter dust of gentrification” left Tooting market last November after facing a 42 per cent rent increase in August she said: “We got two weeks notice and then our rent went up “Some people had a 10 per cent increase but I had more than 40 per cent “I wouldn’t mind such a high increase if I knew the money was going to be put into promoting the market but I didn’t see that happening “The market is struggling but mangement didn’t want to listen so I decided to leave.” A spokesman from Palas Properties said the rent increases were brought in after “considerable thought” as to the location and size of the units throughout the market He said: “We balanced the costs charged to the Totterdown Street market traders—who operated in gazebos and without the benefit of being inside the market as well as other food operators within the market ‘Tooting Market has reinvested much of its income over the last 15 years into redeveloping and curating the market from what it was into what it has become “This includes an entirely new section with 13 units and world class gym We have cleared the middle section to create a communal area that is a natural gathering point for the community and users of the market We have installed heating and cooling inside the market and recently upgraded many of the hidden infrastructure points that service the market.” Mr Nelson-Homiah has set up a GoFundMe page following his eviction, to donate Click Here Pictured top: Ernest Nelson-Homiah has closed Maat African Art after 13 years in Tooting Market (Picture: Tooting Newsie) Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London We are so back. Last week saw the return of the Hampstead Heath mixed bathing pond, just in time for a 22C scorcher. This Thursday, April 17 another of London’s outdoor swimming spots opens for the summer – Tooting Bec Lido.  The second half of April will see a limited number of outdoor swimming sessions at the historic lido Then from May 1 the pool will be open daily Last summer Tooting Bec Lido re-opened after a massive £4 million renovation as well as fresh paving around the pool and pool lining Its colourful changing rooms remain a key feature of the beloved pool which opened in 1906 as a bathing lake. The surrounding landscaping was also enhanced to make it a better spot for sunbathing and socialising.  with water temperatures expected to be a cool 12C upon reopening Not that this will stop the hardiest of swimmers who will be enjoying the lido’s bracing 90 metres from Thursday (it’s the largest outdoor freshwater pool in the UK Cabinet Member for Environment, called Tooting Bec Lido the ‘jewel in the crown’ of South London's sports facilities She said: ‘With a £4 million renovation safeguarding its charm and functionality for decades to come this iconic lido promises endless fun in the sun for thousands of visitors this summer Mark your calendars and get ready to make a splash!’ The best lidos and outdoor swimming pools in London.  Easter Bank Holiday 2025: the full London weather forecast.  Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. 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Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Families in Tooting have a new place to turn for support in the heart of their community The Tooting Family Hub in Beechcroft Road launched today with a celebration attended by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan The new community venue aims to bring essential services for parents offering everything from parenting advice and early-years support to youth services Dr Venessa Swaby from A2ndVoice a not-for-profit organisation supporting families in Tooting said: “The new Family Hub in Tooting provides a safe and welcoming space where people of all ages can unite Community-led projects like the Rackets Cubed Social Supermarket will also be hosted This comes after the successful launch of two other community centres in the borough the Yvonne Carr Family Hub in Battersea and the Roehampton Family Hub said: “The Tooting Family Hub is all about making life easier for local families it means every family in Tooting has somewhere to turn so that every child can get the best possible start in life.” Find out more about how Wandsworth is working with residents to shape local services community groups and councillors gather to celebrate the launch of The Tooting Family Hub in Beechcroft Road today (Picture: Wandsworth council) London’s largest independent pub and dining group has announced the highly anticipated reopening of The Antelope in Tooting The reopening will follow a £1 million investment giving this beloved local a new lease of life while honouring its rich heritage this Victorian gem has long been at the heart of the community The Antelope’s impressive historic interior will have been carefully restored with three large rooms still showcasing elements of its interwar-period refurbishment Guests will once again be able to enjoy the original U-shaped bar counter an ornate island bar back with carved pillars and a rare full-height glazed screen – all preserved as a nod to the pub’s illustrious past The Antelope has a storied history of bringing people together that Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club was founded the pub hosted the first-ever promotion by the newly formed British Ladies’ Boxing Association drawing a crowd for an unforgettable night of sporting history CLH News is published by RBC Publishing Ltd Contributions are welcome for consideration no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised but Bohemian Fart Orchestra is letting one rip in their honor with a hilarious cover of "Around the World" and an animated video The flatulent rendition comes from Bohemian Fart Orchestra whose slogan promises to "make the world a better place one fart at a time." The anonymous producer has meticulously replaced every chord and synthesizer tone with precisely pitched farts recreating the melody of Daft Punk's classic in a rework the legendary robots might find both horrifying and hilarious it works. Like an unfortunate case of pinkeye the cover is surprisingly infectious and recognizable maintaining the rhythmic quality of the original while adding layers of absurdist humor Bohemian Fart Orchestra even went as far as creating an animated video featuring a cheeky protagonist an anthropomorphized butt with cartoonishly large cheeks who travels to various countries around the world The globetrotting rump visits recognizable cityscapes and cultural landmarks from Berlin to Bangkok and even the North Pole the EP celebrates vulnerability and imperfection through five dark including a collaboration with dubstep icon Flux Pavilion 2025Whether you find the cover brilliant or juvenile there's no denying it's a fresh take on an electronic classic joining Beyoncé and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon which marks the 10th anniversary of the legendary group's seminal debut album comes with a video directed by Daft Punk's longtime art director Bangalter traded synthesizers for symphonies to produce "Mythologies." the stripped-back version of "Random Access Memories" is devoid of all its drum and percussive elements Most recently Turo Turo has been running as a popular food residency at Holborn pub The Queen's Head But everything's about to change this autumn with the opening of its first permanent restaurant It's taken over the old Good Neighbour site on Tooting High Street where it'll be opening a Filipino Barbecue and Grill The man behind is chef Rex De Guzman who used to work for Gordon Ramsay at Maze in Mayfair before leaving to start up Turo Turo as a street food stall You may have also seen him on TV in The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver where he made it through to the finals If the menu at the restaurant follows what he's been serving up at the residency you can expect a mix of small plates It's opening for dinner to start with - with more to follow.  Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @turoturouk Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy View on Google maps About us  |  Contact Us  |  RSS Feed  |  Site directory  |  Privacy policy  |  Log in/out Join 50,000 other Londoners getting exclusive news and restaurant offers from Hot Dinners. Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy See our previous newsletters here The group blasted the verdict as ‘another body blow for free speech and peaceful protest in this country’ News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A group of anti-Ulez activists who staged a protest outside London mayor Sadiq Khan’s home in Tooting have been found guilty of harassment Known as the ‘Tooting Four’, the group comprised Nick Arlett, Lloyd Dunsford, Martin Whitehead and Alison Young, and their protest was held on April 6 as the mayor’s re-election campaign gathered pace The group continue to profess their innocence and plan to appeal against what they called a “travesty of justice” They said the verdict was “another body blow for free speech and peaceful protest in this country” Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday, December 6, that the protest was named ‘Khanage at Khan’s’. District judge Daniel Sternberg said the event featured “amplified music”, including the theme tune to the TV series The Bill. Arise, Sir Sadiq! Why the mayor of London deserves a knighthood Sadiq Khan 'to be knighted in New Year's honours list' Man charged with causing explosion of Ulez camera could face trial in 2026 Trial date set in ULEZ camera explosion case He added that the protest was “loud” and included “offensive language”, approximately 100 metres from the mayor’s home. One of the protesters, Ms Young, was wearing a dinosaur costume. The “Tooting Four” were part of a larger group of around 100 protesters who demonstrated near the mayor’s home that day. “During the arrest phase, a number of protesters became aggressive and struggled with the police”, said Mr Sternberg. The judge said he was satisfied that the protesters “knew, or ought to have known, that their presence was likely to cause alarm or distress to Sadiq Khan”. He added that the law does not require evidence of whether Mr Khan or anyone else “actually was” caused alarm or distress, only that the protest was likely to have had that effect. The mayor is not thought to have been in his house during the protest, but the judge said that neighbours on the street were “disrupted in their private lives whilst in their homes”. Mr Arlett, who Mr Sternberg found to have a higher level of “culpability” than the others, was ordered to pay a total of £1,310, comprising a £750 fine, £300 victim surcharge and £260 of legal costs. The other three were each ordered to pay £960, comprising a £500 fine, £200 victim surcharge and £260 of legal costs. The victim surcharges will not go to Mr Khan, the judge said, explaining that the money will be used to support victims of crime in general via the Victim and Witness General Fund. Speaking outside the court afterwards, Mr Arlett said: “I am absolutely disgusted that this country has become as it has, with our judiciary. Are they there to uphold the law, or the will of their political masters?” The four point out that Just Stop Oil, who staged a protest at then-PM Rishi Sunak’s Kensington home in November last year, were charged with harassment, but were all acquitted by a judge at Stratford Magistrates’ Court, following a successful submission that there was no case to answer. “Don’t tell me there’s no bias within the law in this country,” said Mr Arlett. The group’s spokesman, Simon Fawthrop - a Conservative councillor in Bromley - said: “Today has seen a travesty of justice… [This] judgement is another body blow for free speech and peaceful protest in this country. “In this case, you had four innocent people peacefully protesting against the Ulez expansion and campaigning to change the decision by Sadiq Khan. Not by disruption, not by violence, not by threats, intimidation or harassment, but by genuine democratic means.” He added the group will be “discussing with their lawyers appealing this conviction and sentence at the earliest opportunity”. Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Lady Victoria Starmer VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Daily news, insight and opinion from the world of restaurants 04-Nov-2024 Last updated on 04-Nov-2024 at 12:36 GMT Due to open later this month, the 50-cover Turo Turo restaurant will serve a ‘playful, affordable menu’ of Filipino barbecue dishes, many of which draw on the use of bagoong, a traditional fermented shrimp paste condiment. Turo Turo takes its name from the Tagalog phrase for ‘point-point’, which used to describe fast food stalls in the Philippines where customers signal the items on display to order. De Guzman, who previously cooked at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze, launched the brand as a street food concept in 2018 and since then has run numerous food stalls, events and kitchen residencies. The Tooting restaurant will operate alongside Turo Turo’s long-running pop up at The Queen’s Head in Holborn. Designed for sharing, the menu will include a selection of small plates such as oxtail kare kare croquettes served with peanut sauce; ginger bagoong wings; and ensaladang talong, a charred aubergine and tomato salad (pictured below) that was named ‘Best Vegetarian Dish’ at the 2019 British Street Food Awards. Larger plates will include grilled chicken inasal seasoned with annatto, lemongrass and garlic, which will be sold by the half or quarter; pancit palabok, a bowl of rice noodles topped with shrimp sauce, hard-boiled eggs, chicharon and a squeeze of citrus; and pork sisig, a platter of chopped pork face and ears seasoned with citrus and chilli.  The dessert menu will feature a mango float made with creme patisserie, whipped cream and Biscoff; and the royale bibingka, a glutinous coconut rice cake cooked in banana leaves and topped with grilled cheese. ©Devour StudioTuro Turo’s drinks menu will include cocktails inspired by the restaurant team’s favourite Filipino flavours and stories. Every ingredient has been selected for its reference to the culture, with rum and sugar cane central to the menu on account of the ingredients’ historic cultural importance in the region. Options will include the ‘Sugarlandia Storm’ with Don Papa Barolo, lime juice, ginger beer and Angostura; and the ‘Jungle Bird' with Diplomático Mantuano, bitter liqueur, pineapple puree, sugar cane syrup and lemon juice. Back in 2022, De Guzman feature on Channel 4's The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver, reaching the finals of the cooking competition. Whet your appetite with beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Lost Revenue from Downtime: How It Cripples Your Delivery App Visibility and SalesPaid for and content provided by Deliverect Staffing costs rising — how smart hiring solutions are helping UK restaurantsPaid for and content provided by YoungOnes St George’s Hospital is updating car parking charges for patients and visitors The increase of £1.20 per hour is being introduced to align with parking rates across Wandsworth and deter non-hospital visitors from using the car park This is in line with NHS guidance and will help ensure spaces remain available for patients and their families Concessions currently in place for some patients and their relatives will remain and are unaffected by the changes patients receiving renal dialysis or cancer treatment those visiting the hospital for issues connected to bereavement parents of sick children staying overnight and eligible patients receiving income benefits We remain committed to promoting active and sustainable travel to ease congestion and reduce air pollution around our hospital Fewer vehicles on site mean healthier spaces for everyone Below are the pecentage of patients who answered "Very good" or "Good" to the question "Overall how was your experience of our service?" last month With high winds forcing the cancellation of many parkrun events across the UK I made a last-minute decision to head to Tooting Common parkrun for their New Year’s Day event What an incredible experience it turned out to be Tooting Common parkrun is famed for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and today, it more than lived up to its reputation. Although I had planned to visit later in January, the universe had other ideas. From the moment I arrived, it was clear I couldn’t have chosen a better way to kickstart 2025. Even the journey to Tooting was an adventure we missed our stop (parkrun magic strikes again!) and had to backtrack on foot a cheerful volunteer who was marshalling today Sara showed us the way to the start while sharing her enthusiasm for the event It’s moments like these that remind me how connected the parkrun community truly is I had the honour of tail walking alongside Mike MORFEY has been part of the event since its inception He is not just a volunteer but a walking encyclopaedia of Tooting Common’s history and a passionate ambassador for parkrun Listening to his stories about the event’s origins and his own running adventures was nothing short of inspiring showing how it’s about so much more than just running—it’s about community The day was filled with unexpected reunions and surprises I recognised him instantly from my visit to Battersea where he went out of his way to help me guide a VI who dashed to the start with only two minutes to spare after a last-minute cancellation at his planned parkrun with today marking his 345th different parkrun location we’ve exchanged plenty of messages while preparing for a special parkrun trip to South Africa later this year It turns out Andy spotted me out on the course today at Tooting Common I only realised he had been there too when I arrived at work and opened my messages What a fun coincidence and an incredible start to the New Year with cheerful marshals lining the course and wishing everyone a Happy New Year a 12-week-old puppy who served as an honorary volunteer and the entire Tooting Common team for accommodating me as a last-minute volunteer It was a pleasure to be part of such a well-organized and welcoming event Please don’t be strangers - I'd love to see you at my home parkrun Tooting Common parkrun will be celebrating its 9th birthday at the end of January Be sure to follow their social media channels for updates on the celebrations Let’s make it a day to remember - Happy Birthday in advance Today was a perfect reminder of why I love parkrun It’s not just about running; it’s about the stories with its incredible volunteers and vibrant community Thank you for an unforgettable start to 2025 Winstanley’s fist job after taking up the Morleys’ CEO post at the start of the month will be to oversee the store’s demise after 70 years of trading.Morleys said the site needed a significant update for retail use and that it couldn’t justify the investment needed Turo Turo started as a single street food stall focused on cooking Filipino barbecue with the aim of making the cuisine both accessible and affordable in London It is a general name to describe fast food stalls or diners in the Philippines where customers would point at any food on display that they would like to be served Turo Turo took on a whole new shape when it opened in Tooting in November 2024 – and we quickly saw what all the fuss was about as we enjoyed its bold flavours over the course of the evening.  Faced with the difficult decision of what dishes to pick we settled on starting with Turo Turo’s Salmon Kinilaw a Filipino-style ceviche marinated in citrus vinegar (£12.50) and came served with cubes of cucumber and tomato which were a welcome texture contrast.  Next was the Ginger Bagoong Wings tossed in Turo Turo’s top-secret ginger and fermented shrimp glaze (£8) These were moreish and so sticky – the umami flavour coming from the fermented shrimp found harmony with the sweetness but you know we cleared everything off the bone.  was the award-winning charred aubergine in a soy glaze (£7.50) And this dish definitely received a gold medal from this table The aubergine is cooked until it is almost burnt teasing out extra smokiness and a depth of flavour that had us digging in for more Mopping up even more of the glaze with every mouthful On the barbecue and grill section of the menu we were ready to explore flavours special to Turo Turo.  We chose the half-grilled chicken Inasal; Turo Turo’s signature Filipino-style chargrilled chicken with pickled carrot atchara and a spicy sauce (£19.50) lightly charred to enhance the flavours and still soft.  I would recommend going for the spiced version it added an extra layer of deliciousness.  24-hour marinated pork belly grilled glazed with a Filipino-style BBQ sauce (£21) which cut through the saltiness with its perfect pickling I wish this stuff came in a jar; it would’ve been coming home with me.  On the side was soy-drenched and garlicky stir-fried bok choy (£4) which added a hint of green freshness to the dinner and a heaped bowl of jasmine rice (£3.50) that was fluffy and light.  it was Turon (£5) with two spoons because you always have to finish on something sweet The plantain-wrapped spring roll was coated with a sticky sweet sauce complemented by a creamy scoop of ice cream on the side.  Turo Turo started with the aim of bringing Filipino barbecue to the masses and our eyes were truly opened to the flavour profile of the grill www.turoturo.co.uk We'll never send you spam or share your email address Find out more in our Privacy Policy Please enter your username or email address to reset your password Tooting folk looking for a new drinking hole are about to get one in the form of a Taiwanese subterranean bar Good Measure is opening downstairs from popular spot Daddy Bao and will serve up cocktails with a Taiwanese twist The owners have taken inspiration from Taipei's cocktail scene where bars pop up in the most unusual places you'll be drinking surrounded by storage shelves steamer baskets and stacks of ingredients for the restaurant above To give you an idea of the kind of drinks that'll be on offer you'll need some bar snacks to go with those and on offer will be spiced peanuts with black beans nori and sesame rice crackers and savoury popcorn Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @daddybao View on Google maps