Balham Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Several new openings, a local farmer's market, 50% OFF HydraFacials, dog show volunteers needed, Bank Holiday fun at local pub, FREE trial for kid's rugby and much more!
The fantastic Furzedown Farmer's Market returns THIS SATURDAY 2ND May, 9.30am–1.30pm!
The popular monthly market take places at Penwortham Primary School, and will feature a brilliant mix of local food, produce, plants, crafts, gifts, and children’s items - all your favourite traders, and a few new ones too – including delicious authentic Nigerian food from The Sapphire Kitchen AND some tasty hot dogs from German Sausages!
They will also have stalls and activities from Penwortham’s Year 6 pupils who are raising money for their leaving do!
The much-loved, diverse market is a fantastic place to enjoy a Saturday morning / lunchtime. Grab a coffee, something delicious for brunch / lunch, pick up fresh bits for the home, and enjoy browsing and shopping!
Dogs are very welcome – and there’ll be live music & vibes throughout from South London Vinyl Experience!
As well as this Saturday, the Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, with the next date being Saturday 6th June.
Furzedown Farmers’ Market is located at Penwortham School, Penwortham Road, SW16 6RJ – just down the road from both Tooting & Balham!
Bank holiday plans sorted! The Dev Balham has transformed into ‘The Balhamas’ for Summer, just in time for the bank holiday weekend, with a brilliant lineup – and no passport required!
Here’s their full bank holiday weekend lineup!
- Friday 1st May: Live music from Chris Moloney and London Night Out, 9-11pm – kicking off a summer of live music every Friday!
- Saturday 2nd May: Asahi Seekers DJ session, 9-11pm
- Sunday 3rd May: The Surbiton Disco Society are back spinning from 4-9pm in the garden, with their kitchen serving up Head Chef Raff’s famous roasts & your favs from their burger shack
- Monday 4th May: R&R in full swing at their luxury Balhamas resort – roasts and burger shacking all day!
To book a table, visit their website here.
You’ll find The Devonshire at 39 Balham High Road, SW12 9AN.
NET FEST, London’s first ever tennis festival, lands on Clapham Common this Sunday 3rd May, 10am-4pm! 🎾
Net Socials is bringing a free one-day celebration of tennis, connection and community to Clapham, designed to welcome players of all levels, from complete beginners to regular hitters.
What to expect:
🏆 Knockout tournament throughout the day
🎶DJs & music
🍔Food & drink vendors
🎾Games, challenges & giveaways
🤝Inclusive community atmosphere
Alongside partners, the team will bring together hundreds of people for a full day of sport and social connection and it's completely FREE to attend!
Whether picking up a racket for the first time or coming down for the atmosphere, NET FEST is set to be a standout moment for London’s summer.
📍Clapham Common
📅 Sunday 3rd May
⏰ 10am-4pm
For more info, visit Net Socials
Take in the warm weather this Bank Holiday weekend and join local community group Beautify Balham on Saturday 2nd May for their monthly litter pick!
Meet behind Sainsbury’s Balham at Bedford Hill Place at 11am. Gloves, litter picks and bags provided.
Beautify Balham collaborates with local residents and businesses to help create a greener, cleaner and more beautiful Balham!
Congratulations to Balham businesses Hyde Farm and Jefferson's Ice Cream who have been nominated for a Muddy Stilettos Award for ‘Best Farm Shop / Deli’ and ‘Best Artisan Food & Drink Producer’ in London respectively!
The awards, run by lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos, celebrate the best local businesses across London, with categories ranging from restaurants and bars to florists, fitness instructors and family days out.
Following a huge number of public nominations, the shortlist for each category has now been announced and two much-loved names from Balham have made the cut.
Voting for the regional finals is now open and runs until 26th May. The winner in each category will go forward to the national Muddy Awards, where the very best in the country will be chosen.
Voting closes at 1pm on 26th May, and anyone can vote online via the Muddy Stilettos website here.
The winners will be announced later this spring.
You’ll find Hyde Farm Café located at 71 Emmanuel Rd, Balham, SW12 0HR
You’ll find Jefferson’s located at 191B Balham High Rd, SW12 9BE
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “An impressive three bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a private entrance and a South-West facing private garden alongside a separate side courtyard with convenient access gate.
“This lovely home is set within a handsome semi-detached Victorian conversion on the sought-after Byrne Road, moments from the heart of Balham.
“With its own private entrance this flat is sure to impress and has been recently redecorated to create a fresh and attractive blank canvas.“
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.
Kids rugby is back on Tooting Common this Saturday 25th April, and every Saturday morning, with Muddy Knees Kid's Rugby – and they're offering a free trial for the first session! 🏉
Muddy Knees are an all-year-round, all weathers, outdoor provider of non-contact rugby for boys and girls aged 2-7 years old.
Established in 2013, the team at Muddy Knees have introduced hundreds of local kids to the brilliant sport of rugby.
Founder, Roger Green, who used to play for the Royal Navy First XV, tells us more: "We're passionate about rugby and the opportunities that a team sport such as this can offer to every child, of any ability, with the aim to develop a range of skills and attributes.”
“We know it’s also incredibly important to maintain mental and emotional well being of children, as well as engaging and developing physical activity, and Muddy Knees achieves this in abundance.”
"We offer a free, no-obligation trial session to check if Muddy Knees is suitable for your child.”
“We split the age groups into three and have created a range of games and activities that challenge children, introducing them to principles such as teamwork, respect and discipline in fun-filled sessions, suitable for each age group."
Saturday morning sessions are available on Tooting Common at 10am.
To find out more and book a free trial or a block of sessions, visit their website or email sales@muddykneeskidsrugby.com
If you’re looking to transform or upgrade your home or commercial space this summer, Balham-based construction company MOS Construction is here to help!
Run by brothers, Kaan (Architect) and Mert (Civil Engineer), the team has been supporting local residents and businesses across SW London since 2019, including projects for Betto in Balham, Naked Rabbit and Village Whole Food in Clapham Common and Mud Cafes in Tooting.
Mert shared more about their work:
“We deliver high-quality building solutions with a strong focus on reliability, durability, design, and client satisfaction.
“From full refurbishments to kitchens, bathrooms, and interior improvements, our experienced team supports every stage of the process – from initial ideas through to completion.
To find out more or request a free quote:
📧 contact@mosconstruction.uk
📞 / WhatsApp: 07871 898 401
Visit mosstructure.com for more info.
Dear Jay, a new venue serving all-day breakfast & brunch, will open at 9 Chestnut Grove, where Oy Bar was previously located.
Dear Jay has an existing, very popular café just down the road in Streatham Hill - and the team are excited to soon be opening their second branch right here in SW12.
They expect to open by the end of May. We’ll keep you posted!
Big news – and a COMING SOON (a couple doors down) - from Freak Scene! Owner & Head Chef, Scott Hallsworth tells us all!
“Freak Scene was meant to be closing, but we’re not done yet. Not even close!
“Yes, a move is still planned for the future, but for now we’re still here in Balham and using the time to push things forward properly – new dishes, new desserts, new cocktails, and a completely refreshed wine list, with more options by the glass and some really well-priced bottles, giving people plenty of reasons to come back in.
“At the same time, two doors down (at 5 Ramsden Road, where we had Kuroyoko), we’ll soon be launching our new limited-time POP-UP, Pinky! Small space, high-energy, great steaks and strong cocktails!
“We’d love people to book in to try our enhanced offering here at Freak Scene – and as an extra incentive, anyone who books in and dines at Freak Scene between now and Sunday 17th May will receive a ‘Pinky Founding Guest Card’, which will give you priority booking access (before public bookings open), plus one complimentary cocktail per person on arrival for your first visit to Pinky!”
To book a table at Freak Scene (and receive your ‘Pinky Founding Guest Card’ if you book and dine-in by Sunday 17th May), visit their website here.
Freak Scene is located at 1 Ramsden Road.
A new family-focused app, My Side Kick, is launching soon to help parents discover children’s activities, classes and days out all in one place. Founder and Balham resident Gemma tells us more:
"I started Sidekick after spending too much time acting as a personal assistant to my 1 and 3-year-olds. I couldn’t understand why searching for weekly activities for my girls was so much harder than finding a gym session or a restaurant table.
"I was fed up with the endless browser tabs, the inbox-clogging newsletters, and following multiple social media accounts just to see what was actually on.
"After one too many rainy Saturdays spent fruitlessly Googling things to do, the lightbulb moment happened: What if all these activities lived in one place? An app so simple you could find an activity in one hand while pushing a pram with the other?
"And so, Sidekick was born. We’ve started with the search—bringing together thousands of activities for children of all ages in one app. Whether you’re looking for weekly classes, holiday camps, or big family days out, we’ve made finding the right activity faff-free!"
Sidekick will officially launch its beta later this year, starting exclusively in London.
Parents can join the waitlist now for early access via the website here.
For more info, email info@mysidekick.uk
Eggslut has officially landed in Balham, with a delivery-only kitchen, bringing its cult favourite all-day breakfast menu to the neighbourhood!
The team tells us more:
“We first made our UK debut at Taste of London in 2019 before opening our first permanent site on Portobello Road later that year. Since then, we’ve spent the last six years taking Eggslut across the capital, with locations in Fitzrovia, Shoreditch, Liverpool Street, Stratford, Market Halls Victoria and Canary Wharf.”
“We’re excited to continue expanding with our new delivery-only kitchen in Balham, giving locals the chance to enjoy our signature egg-focused menu from home.”
“Our menu stays true to what we know best, with eggs at the heart of every dish — from the classic Bacon, Egg and Cheese to newer favourites like the Pork Romesco with crispy pork belly, romesco sauce and an over-easy egg.”
“Long-time favourites include the Fairfax, served in a soft brioche bun with soft scrambled eggs, caramelised onions, chives, cheddar and sriracha mayo, alongside our much-loved Truffle Hash Browns.
“For those with a sweet tooth, our latest addition is thick-cut brioche French Toast Sticks, dipped in egg wash, fried until golden, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with rich maple custard.”
Eggslut will be available via Uber Eats Monday to Friday: 7am – 2pm and weekends: 8am – 3pm
A new aesthetics clinic Every Skin has opened at 168 Balham High Road! The team tells us more:
"EverySkin offers top quality skincare and laser hair removal for each and everybody in beautiful spaces, where you’ll be welcomed by friendly and expert teams.
"We use medical grade candela lasers suitable for all skin types and skin tones, and advanced skin treatments for the most common skin concerns.
"We are delighted to open our 10th clinic in Balham ♥️"
For more info, visit their website here.
Local resident Toby Richardson has launched a new dog grooming service, Toto’s of Balham! Toby tells us more:
“Toto’s of Balham was created to offer local dog owners an exceptional grooming service - at my home grooming salon in Balham - at a reasonable price. We wanted to meet growing demand in the area while making sure every dog receives the care and attention they deserve.
“We offer a full range of grooming services, from nail clipping to a complete groom, with prices starting from £45 for small to medium-sized dogs.
“Whether it’s handling a young puppy’s very first groom or caring sensitively for an older dog receiving hospice care, we are confident and comfortable tailoring each experience to suit the individual needs of every dog.
“We’re proud to have built up many happy customers who have shared glowing testimonials and, most importantly, keep coming back for their next groom.”
To book your dog in or for more info, call 07598024125 or email totosofbalham@gmail.com
HydraFacial skincare treatments are now available at popular Balham beauty salon, Anya Salon – and they’re offering 50% OFF your first HydraFacial visit until 31st May. Special discounts on packages and multiple visits too!
HydraFacial is a popular non-invasive treatment that gives you instant, visible results.
Anya Salon Manager Angie explains:
“What makes HydraFacial special is that it tackles multiple skin concerns in a single session. Think of it as a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and intensive hydration treatment all rolled into one. We extract impurities and dead skin from the surface while delivering targeted serums that penetrate deep into your skin.
“Every HydraFacial is tailored to what your skin needs at that moment – whether that’s addressing fine lines, evening out skin tone, reducing enlarged pores, or tackling pigmentation. Because it’s gentle and non-irritating, it works for all skin types, and there’s absolutely no recovery time needed.
“What clients love most is the instant transformation – you’ll see and feel the difference as soon as you look in the mirror. Your skin looks brighter, feels smoother, and has that healthy, radiant glow.”
To find out more about Anya Salon & to book an appointment, visit their Treatwell page here, call 020 8675 4507 or pop in at 9 Station Parade, Balham High Road, SW12 9AZ – opposite Du Cane Court!
SAVE THE DATE – the annual Fun Dog Show on Tooting Common will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 7th June! 🐩🐶🐕🦺
Organisers Friends of Tooting Common (FOTC) would be very grateful for volunteers to help run the event, either during the Show itself, or particularly in setting up beforehand (from 11am).
If you’re able to help, please email fotcinformation@gmail.com
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