Talking Tooting: Food, Glorious Food

There has been a lot to celebrate in the past week, and whether that has been Eid, Yom Kippur, the Rugby World Cup (or a combination thereof!), I hope it has been a special time for you. I’ve also been busy in our area, so please do spare 5 minutes to read my latest update below.

In recent years we have seen many fantastic new restaurants, bistros and cafes set up across Balham, Tooting, Furzedown, Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common. So I’m not surprised to see the accolades for our eateries keep rolling in from Time Out and other reviewers.

This weekend we have a double helping of gastronomic delights with Tootopia and the Balham Food Festival kicking off. I’ll be at both – and bringing my Tooting Voluntary Force to help run the ‘Balham Banquet’ – so I hope to see you there.

Earlier this month I submitted our application and petition to the Council to list the Granada Cinema as an Asset of Community Value. As our constituency’s only Grade I listed building, I want to ensure its beautiful interior remains open to the public, whatever the future holds.

If there are other local buildings or community spaces which you feel need added protection, please email me. As you know, I am a champion of ‘localism’ and want to ensure local residents have the power to shape our area.

It’s a mixed bag of news in regards to the proposed new stadium and housing development at the Wimbledon Dog Track. On the plus side, our campaign for changes to the proposal has yielded some modest improvements. Sadly though, the latest planning application does not go far enough, so still we have no upgrades to public transport, parking arrangements or other community infrastructure.

A second public consultation has been launched by Merton Council and you can give your views via their planning page.

You can see my thoughts on the new planning application in more detail here.

Markets have a real contribution to make to our city, providing low cost space for new retailers to try out their wares, and contributing valuable community space to the High Street.

In recent years Tooting Market has undergone a real renaissance, thanks to a number of exciting new shops and restaurants locating there in response to the improved local economy. I have been working with the Market over the summer (to ensure they benefit from the arrival of Crossrail 2) and have been pleased to hear that it is now fully let, and indeed has a waiting list.

Wandsworth Council has now extended the Market’s opening hours over the weekend to accommodate its growing success and if you haven’t been recently, I’d encourage you to take a look.

So, lots going on, and I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more regular updates and to keep track of all things Tooting.

With best wishes, 

Dan Watkins
Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Tooting