The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 15th August, in seven locations around Wandsworth, including Balham. 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 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.
The skips will be in the following places:
📍 Thurleigh Road, SW12 8UG
📍 Burr Road, SW18 4SQ
📍 Eastwood Street, SW16 6PT
📍 Putney Vale estate, SW15 3EB
📍 Shuttleworth Road, SW11 3DL
📍 Barringer Square, SW17 8EE
📍 Wildcroft Road, SW15 3NG
More info, including details of what you can bring and when the skips will be open, via Wandsworth Council here.
The Balham branch of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) will be closing on Saturday 22nd August.
The charity recently announced proposals to close around 150 of their shops and stores (including Balham) over the next two financial years to ensure their retail network remains commercially sustainable and continues to generate vital funds for lifesaving research.
The BHF have proposed closing around 90 stores by the end of March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028.
In the lead-up to closure, all clothing will be half price.
The British Heart Foundation charity shop is located at 184 Balham High Rd.
Due to popular demand, the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ offer at Indian Room 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 at indianroom.co.uk and mention EOTHO in the comments section.
Owner Mubin tells us: “With the cost of living still showing no sign of easing up, we have decided to make eating out a little bit easier for you this summer. Initial take up on the offer has been great, so let’s extend it throughout the month!”
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.
To book a table, visit indianroom.co.uk – and mention EOTHO in the comments section to claim the discount.
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), located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham.
Edward James is offering 25% OFF Colour, Cut & Blow-Dry services, Monday-Thursday until 31st August – their biggest discount of the year is back – see how to claim below!👇
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 ‘BALHAM25’ 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.
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A fantastic, spacious two-bedroom maisonette with a private garden and its own entrance, set on the ground floor of an attractive end-of-terrace Edwardian property on Dumbarton Road, Brixton Hill.
“Dumbarton Road is a popular residential street, now a permanent Low Traffic Neighbourhood, making it an exceptionally quiet and safe road. With no turn onto the street from Brixton Hill, it is not used as a cut-through.
“There is also a friendly community on the road, including a residents’ WhatsApp group, making this a particularly pleasant place to live within a desirable residential pocket between Brixton and Clapham.”
For full info, visit their website www.keatingestates.com, visit the team at 61 Bedford Hill, email balham@keatingestates.com or call 020 8079 3161.
If you have chipped, cracked or broken teeth, Balham dentist Ten Dental Facial 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.”
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
Furzedown Builders, the Wandsworth-based home renovation company, has launched a new range of digital renovation planners designed to help homeowners budget, organise and manage every stage of their building project.
Drawing on years of hands-on experience managing kitchen renovations, house extensions and full home refurbishments across South London, Furzedown Builders has built a suite of easy-to-use spreadsheet planners covering everything from initial budgeting and builder quote comparisons through to payment tracking and final snagging inspections.
Each planner is available in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel formats, with colour-coded, ready-to-fill templates that take the stress out of planning a renovation – no spreadsheet experience required.
The range includes:
• Renovation Budget Planner
• House Extension Planner
• Kitchen Renovation Planner
• Builder Payment Tracker
• Renovation Snagging List
• Complete Renovation Bundle (all 5 planners, saving over 35%)
The planners are available now on Etsy and via the Furzedown Builders website, alongside the company's established building and renovation services.
For more information, visit their website here or search 'FurzedownTools' on Etsy.
The new summer menu at No 3 Restaurant at Nightingale Place in Clapham South is the perfect excuse to dine al fresco on their lovely terrace! ☀️
The menu has something for everyone, from delicious fish and meat dishes (including plenty from the grill) to fresh vegetarian and salad options.
And with their fantastic outdoor space looking directly over Clapham Common, it’s an ideal spot for a leisurely weekend lunch – or a well-earned drink and bite as the long summer evenings roll on!
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 and book a table, visit their website here.
A new children's role play cafe, Tots in London, has opened at 7 The Boulevard, Balham High Road! Founder Nadia tells us more:
"Tots in London was born from my experience as a stay-at-home mum, spending countless hours entertaining my two young boys. I noticed their fascination with mimicking the grown-ups they saw in the world around them. Whether it was pretending to shop at the supermarket - where they insisted I buy the same milk carton ten times - or taking a pizza order and playing chef whilst cautioning me about the hot oven. Their enthusiasm was undeniable. This sparked the idea to create a unique space where children could explore adult life in a safe and engaging environment.
"Our mission is to provide a cosy haven for children to unleash their imaginations while parents can relax, knowing their little ones are nearby. We invite you to enjoy a cup of coffee and some much-needed peace as your children embark on their own miniature adventures. We at Tots in London proudly host various Montessori-inspired role play stations to support each child's growth and development."
For more info, or to book a session, visit their website here.
@rop.london, a new Vietnamese restaurant centred around Bánh Mì and Vietnamese street food, has opened at 8 Bedford Hill.
Owner Nhi tells us more:
“Rộp comes from the Vietnamese word for the little crunch you hear when biting into a crispy baguette, which felt perfect for a restaurant where Bánh Mì is at the heart of what we do.
“Rộp is my first restaurant and a very personal project. I wanted to bring the flavours I grew up with in Vietnam to Balham in a way that feels familiar, fresh and approachable. I’ve been involved in everything from developing the menu and choosing ingredients to the branding and design of the space.
“Bánh Mì is one of our main focuses, with fillings including grilled pork, char siu and roast pork, alongside fresh summer rolls, crispy spring rolls, rice and vermicelli dishes, Vietnamese coffee and cocktails with Vietnamese-inspired flavours.
“For me, Rộp isn’t about making Vietnamese food complicated. I want it to be full of flavour and approachable, while keeping the ingredients and tastes that make Vietnamese food special.
“We’re really happy to be opening in Balham. It already feels like such a strong local community, and we’re excited to become a small part of it and get to know lots of local faces.”
You’ll find Bánh Mì, Vietnamese street food, fresh rolls, rice and vermicelli dishes, Vietnamese coffee and drinks in a casual space designed for everything from a quick lunch to sitting down with friends over a meal.
Rộp is located at 8 Bedford Hill.
Charley's Flat, a new neighbourhood wine bar, is officially opening its doors on the corner of Bedford Hill this week following a packed soft launch last Saturday.
The launch weekend runs from 14th-16th August, with a weekend of good wine, sharing plates and evenings at the Flat.
Co-founder Jenn tells us more:
“Inspired by the feeling of spending time at a friend’s flat, Charley’s has been created as the kind of neighbourhood wine bar where you can settle in, share a bottle, order a few plates and feel instantly at home. There are cosy corners, walls lined with photos, good music and the sort of atmosphere where “just one glass” can easily turn into an evening.
“Behind Charley’s are four people brought together by a shared love of wine, food and hospitality. I’m a wine expert with years of experience in the industry, and you might recognise me from the wine pop-ups I’ve organised at Esquires. I’m joined by my twin sister Lindsey, Russ, the former owner of Esquires, and Bri, who previously ran a café in Australia.
“Between us, we have years of experience in wine and hospitality. Together, we’ve created the kind of neighbourhood wine bar we’d always wished we had on our own doorstep.”
You’ll find a carefully curated list of independent and small-producer wines, seasonal sharing plates from a Spanish chef, formerly of Barrafina, and a warm, relaxed space for long lunches over a bottle, happy hours, after-work drinks, dinner with friends and evenings that turn into late ones.
Walk-ins are welcome, but booking ahead is recommended for the launch weekend.
For more info or to book, visit their website here.
Charley’s Flat is located at 75 Bedford Hill.
New to Henry's Coffee Stop! The local coffee shop, located at Henry Cavendish School, will now be serving pizzas daily from 10:30am for eat-in or takeaway!
Pizzas include: margherita, pepperoni and spicy pepperoni & nduja!
Whether you're stopping by for a weekend treat, meeting friends for lunch, or simply fancy a pizza, they've got you covered!
Profits made from Henry's Coffee Stop go towards supporting the education of children at Henry Cavendish School.
Freak Scene in Balham will permanently close after end of trading on Saturday 22nd August – with an exciting new pan-Asian venture, Joe’s Oriental Diner, opening in its place under the same ownership (but with two new restaurant managers) on Friday 28th August.
Owner and Head Chef Scott Hallsworth tells us more:
“After 20 months in Balham, we’ve realised that Freak Scene isn’t quite the right fit for the area – a bit like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole! It’s a brand we love and believe in, so we’ll be taking it back to its roots in central London, where it originally began life in Soho, and where we think it’ll really shine.
“But we’re going out with a bang! We’re offering a ‘Freak Scene Final Feast’ – a fantastic 2-for-1 deal on our 8-course family-style feast, working out at just £39pp (swipe to see the menu) – running from now right up until we close on Saturday 22nd August.
“Then, after a quick turnaround, we’re thrilled to be opening Joe’s Oriental Diner in time for the August bank holiday weekend! Originally launched as a King’s Road pop-up back in 2015, Joe’s is all about big, bold Southeast Asian-inspired food without the big price tag – family-friendly, with slicker, quicker service (using QR codes).
“Expect loud flavours, plenty of zing, smoke, chilli and crunch – but easy-going enough for everyone: affordable plates, kids’ bento boxes at lunch and dinner, simple East Asian-inspired cocktails, and a short, rotating wine list built around the food.
“We think Joe’s is going to be a brilliant fit for Balham – and while we’re sad to close one chapter, we can’t wait to get started on the next, and to make a real success of it here in SW12!”
Bookings for Joe’s Oriental Diner open on Friday 21st August.
To book a table for the final days of Freak Scene, visit their website here.
Freak Scene (and soon Joe’s Oriental Diner) are located at 1 Ramsden Road.
Congratulations to local group Balham Climate Action, who were recently presented with The Friends of Earth Earthmovers Award by the Head of Friends of the Earth, Asad Rehman and Regional Coordinator for London ,Ted Burke!
They were presented with the award for their effective use of creativity in their campaigning, something they have embraced over the past 4 years.
To find out more about the group and their most ambitious project yet, Bunting for Hope, join them at their next meeting on the 18th of August, 7pm at the Hagen and Hyde.
Or visit their website here for more info.
Congrats to local resident Robert John on his new book Dysmas Orbis, which will be launching on Friday 28th August at Balham Boxing Club!
Robert’s debut speculative fantasy novel is set within a hidden parallel London and was inspired by his late father’s experience of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s dementia.
Towards the end of his life, Robert’s father experienced changes in the way he perceived the world around him. This prompted Robert to wonder: what if there are parts of the world we simply cannot perceive?
Robert began exploring the idea through his artwork, creating What I See When, a series imagining another London hidden beneath the city we know. The work was exhibited in galleries across London before becoming LDN Reimagined, a coffee-table art book stocked by Waterstones, Foyles, Blackwell’s and more.
The next question was: who lives in that hidden world?
The answer became Dysmas Orbis.
The novel follows Sol, a homeless teenager whose life is turned upside down when another city begins to reveal itself beneath the streets of London. The story explores themes including identity, belonging, homelessness, memory, social equality and the burden of protection, with Robert’s illustrations featured throughout.
Robert told us:
“The launch is specifically at Balham Boxing because I box there, I grew up in Balham and lived down the road, and the story connects with the humble nature and ethos of what a club like that hopes for.
“The story and original work was inspired by my late dad’s battle with Parkinson’s, and much of the story hones in on what that meant for themes like identity, role reversal in later life, social equality and mental health.”
The launch of Dysmas Orbis takes place on Friday 28th August Balham Boxing Club
For more info about the launch or to pre-order the book, visit Rober't’s website here.
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