News from our Town Centres
Balham
November the EDO submitted a £1.4 million bid to the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund (round 2) to support a series of programmes to ‘explore, enjoy and invest’ in Balham. Balham’s bid was successful, and the funding will enable a range of activities to increase footfall, enhance a number of key public spaces, run a programme of cultural events, undertake a series of business support measures and unlock a number of significant development opportunities.
In December a Balham information sharing scheme was launched by The Met Police Balham Safer Neighbourhood Team and Wandsworth Council. The scheme enables the Police to give members of the Balham Pubwatch group photos of known offenders and also enables and encourages members to share their own CCTV images. So far 17 Balham bars and pubs have signed up to the scheme.
There are some great January offers from Balham businesses on balham.com including 10% off at The Flower Sanctuary, 50% off steaks at Locale, 50% off botanical hair spa at independent mindbodysoul, 15% off at B Sports, 15% off at Tagine and 40% off at Michelle Louise. For full details and more offers visit www.balham.com/offer
Clapham Junction
A new cutting edge and groundbreaking show is opening at BAC on 2 February, and will run until 25 February. The Paper Cinema’s “Odyssey” is described as live animation for adults, and is Homer’s cornerstone of literature vividly told with beautiful illustration and puppetry. Cinematic projection and tricks transform the puppets into living characters and create stunning landscapes. For more information see the web site: http://www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/paper-cinemas-odyssey/
Putney
A planning application to redevelop the site opposite East Putney station has recently been approved, potentially making way for a major mixed use development incorporating shops, offices and residential accommodation. The former Capsticks site is now progressing well and the former Tote House (near E Putney tube) is progressing well (mixed use scheme).
Putney is home to a great many businesses within the borough, ranging in size from around 250 people (Russell-Cooke Solicitors), through Internet companies like Valueclick and Pricerunner to small start-ups. They contribute a great deal to the local Putney economy. One of the more established companies designs top end luxury yachts.
On 7th April the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race starts at Putney – there will be music and fun for all. Then on 3rd June the Queens Diamond Jubilee River Pageant sets off from Battersea Reach, but will incorporate 200 boats embarking on the river at Putney Embankment. Then on 28th and 29th July the Olympic (Cycle) Road Race comes through Putney High Street; one of the few free Olympic events...and you can watch the race going both out of London and back.
Tooting
Tooting’s latest pop-up project Construction Gallery opens this Wednesday 18th January. The Gallery – run by POST Artists – will exhibit locally created art with a focus on large-scale installation; and organise talks, screenings and performance events for both the local community and a broader audience. It will also host a coffee shop with home made baked goods made by local business Tea Party Cakes, as well as offering study, creative space and free internet access.
Opening hours will be Wednesday to Sunday between 12 noon and 7pm, and the Gallery opens this Wednesday 18th January. This project is funded by the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund, and is occupying a Council-owned building prior to it going on the market. Many thanks to the Borough Valuer and Director of Finance for helping to make this project possible.
The Outer London Fund is supporting many other exciting Tooting projects including Dear Lido - a collaboration between Rosie Whitney-Fish’s previously mounted exhibition and Wandsworth Museum during half term week (15th – 18th February; also at the Construction Gallery). The Brick Box are currently developing a raft of fabulous new projects for Tooting Market, including “Tooting Tales – a Celebration of Stories and Voices”. Plans are underway for the Tooting Arts Club’s third production following their hugely successful pop-up cinema, and new Welcome banners will be going up in the town centre this month. For more information check out www.wandsworth.gov.uk/T2G particularly the Outer London Fund updates.
Wandsworth
A large gas main that runs from Garratt Lane across Wandsworth High Street and into Ram Street is being replaced and although engineers are working extended hours to get it completed as quickly as possible it is causing lots of traffic. The high street is reduced from four lanes down to two for traffic heading westbound. At the same time, Garratt Lane is reduced from two lanes down to one for traffic heading northbound while Ram Street is closed in both directions to ease traffic flows.
While Ram Street is closed, buses heading northbound are being diverted via Wandsworth Plain and southbound traffic is being diverted via Fairfield Street and Wandsworth High Street.
Cyclists wishing to use Barclays Cycle Superhighway 8 need to dismount at the junction of Garratt Lane and Wandsworth High Street and use the pedestrian crossing to walk into Ram Street .
It should take 16 weeks to finish with the main impact on traffic finished by February 16th.
