Balham Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Antique and vintage market this weekend, a free art fair, new openings, changes to recycling, 2-4-1 steak offer, and much more!
The next Not Just Things market takes place this weekend Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March from 10am - 4pm (3pm on Sunday).
The Not Just Things antique and vintage market is located in the Balham Boxing Club near the Tooting Triangle playground off Cavendish Road (under the railway bridge).
For more information, send an email to notjustthings@mail.com
THIS SATURDAY! – an exciting FREE local art event, The ART GATHERING, allowing you to shop & explore affordable art, will take place this Saturday 28th March, 12-5pm, in the beautiful ballroom at The Bedford Pub in Balham – everyone welcome!
Run by What You Looking At Events, founded by Balham resident & artist, Krystal Wong Inky Winky Art, The ART GATHERING will be a celebration of affordable art and the vibrant creativity shaping Balham’s art scene, featuring a dynamic mix of local & contemporary artists, showcasing a diverse range of artwork from original pieces to stunning limited edition prints.
Here’s what’s in store:
• Free entry
• Shop and explore affordable art
• Original artworks and limited-edition prints
• Meet the artists
• Vino on arrival
• Music
• Dogs welcome
• Live pet portraits
The Bedford is located at 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD.
Local wellness practitioner Giselle Renee is launching her own Ceremonial Grade Cacao brand – and you’re invited to celebrate with her at an exclusive launch party and ceremony on 6th June!
Gizelle is the founder of wellness centre I AM BEING and former Head of UK for Keith’s Cacao, the world’s first ceremonial-grade cacao brand. Now she’s stepping into an exciting new chapter with her own brand, and she’d love the local community to be part of this special moment.
Two time slots available on 6th June: 12.15pm & 2.45pm - see booking details below👇
Your ticket (£10) includes:
- I AM BEING’s first ever Ceremonial Cacao drink
- 2 hours of meditation, journaling, sound baths, music, breathwork and learning about the benefits and history of cacao
- Exclusive discounts on the day
- A chance to win a goodie bag of cacao, candles, bath salts, IAB cups and a session of your choice within 2026
Gizelle tells us more:
“Ceremonial cacao is an emerging wellness drink known for its natural mood-boosting properties, gentle energy, and ability to support focus, creativity and emotional connection. Rich in magnesium and theobromine, it offers a nourishing alternative to coffee without the crash, helping you feel grounded, present and aligned.
“Over two nourishing hours, you’ll be guided into a warm, welcoming space filled with connection, intention and community – a truly special moment in our growing vision.”
Spaces are limited for this intimate launch experience. Tickets are £10 – book now.
Now that the weather is improving, why not join local community group Go Walk and Talk Wandsworth for a stroll around Tooting Common!
Go Walk and Talk Wandsworth hosts weekly (and free!) walks every Saturday, starting at 10.30am from the café on Tooting Common. There's no need to book or register - everyone is welcome to join.
The organisation's mission is to bring communities together for a fun, healthy and engaging weekly walk in their local green space, and everyone is welcome to come together to walk, talk, meet new people and explore their local area.
For more info, visit Go Walk and Talk Wandsworth
A reminder that changes to household waste collections in Balham and Wandsworth will change at the end of the month, from 31 March 2026, with the following materials added to the range of items that can be recycled:
♻️ Aluminium foil and food trays – these must be clean with no food remnants
♻️ Aluminium tubes – eg empty tomato paste tubes
♻️ Plastic tubes – eg empty toothpaste tubes
♻️ Aerosol cans – these must be empty
Plastic film packaging and carrier bags will also be recycled from 31 March 2027 – until then, please recycle at larger supermarkets.
Full info via Wandsworth Council.
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A beautifully arranged four-bedroom house overlooking the vast expanse of Brockwell Park, set within a private gated development with a dedicated off-street parking space.
“Arranged across three floors and offering generous internal proportions throughout, this charming home provides an excellent balance of living and entertaining space, complemented by a private garden, off-street parking and lovely views towards the park.”
For full info & more photos, visit their website https://www.keatingestates.com, visit the team at 61 Bedford Hill, email balham@keatingestates.com or call 020 8079 3161.
Fully-stocked ahead of Easter next weekend, Chadwicks Butchers’ free-range, organic legs and shoulders of Norfolk lamb are already selling fast!
Chadwick’s family-run butchers have been located at 109 Balham High Road since 1999, specialising in high quality organic & rare breed meat from local UK producers.
In their shop (as well as online), you’ll find all types of hand-selected beef, pork, lamb, chicken & game produce, as well as marinated meats and freshly-made sausages, burgers and skewers perfect for cooking at home or on the barbecue!
They also have a superb deli counter, where you’ll find all sorts of homemade pies & pasties, a huge array of cheese, chutneys and lots more besides.
You’ll find Chadwick’s located at 109 Balham High Road, open Monday to Saturday and online at chadwicksbutchers.com
A new boutique fitness studio ROX Life has opened at 1 Holbeach Mews, where Dog House Fitness used to be located!
Known for its high-energy, community-driven approach, ROX brings a mix of Ride classes - immersive, music-led indoor cycling - alongside Strength & Conditioning sessions designed to build strength, stamina and confidence.
To celebrate the opening, an official launch day will take place next Wednesday 25th March, giving the local community a chance to meet the team and experience the studio firsthand. Anyone booked into a class on the day will also receive a limited edition ROX goodie bag.
For more information, visit their website.
A local mum and daughter have launched Bare la Terre, a new skincare company for tweens!
Co-founder Nicola tells us more:
"Bare la Terre is a brand created by two mums (myself and Elise) and our "in-betweens" (Mia and Nahla, aged 9 & 10). We realised that whether we like it or not, this generation is fascinated with skincare. When we looked closer though, we became concerned. The products they wanted to use with candy-coloured packaging and cute names, were made for adult skin and often packed with harsh actives that are causing a rise in skin issues for young faces. The products we were happy with them using were deemed 'babyish” or “boring'.
"The kids asked the question themselves; 'why isn’t there something safe and fun, that’s make just for our skin?'
Bare la Terre is the solution we couldn’t find elsewhere:
• The Fun Stuff: Textures, colours, and scents chosen by kids that spark their imagination and love of fun.
• The Serious Stuff: Formulated with our paediatric dermatologist, Dr. Mariana, to ensure everything is gentle, safe, and age-appropriate.
"It’s about giving them the fun they want with the safety they actually need."
For more information, please visit their website.
Laser hair removal clinic Every Skin Clinics is to open a branch at 168 Balham High Road in the unit formerly occupied by the Cancer Research charity shop.
Their opening date is Thursday 23rd April.
EverySkin currently has 9 other branches in London - “offering premium, safe and affordable laser hair removal, cosmetic injections & skin treatments.”
Full info here.
SPONSORED CONTENT
We’re sad to report that local French restaurant Bordelaise is to permanently close on Sunday 26th April. Bordelaise has been a firm favourite in the community ever since it first opened its doors in Broadway Market, Tooting in 2016 – and also through its time located at Post Market on Balham High Road.
Oliv & team are aiming to be back with a new local location before long - but in the meantime, they’d love to welcome customers before they leave SW17 - and they’re got fantastic ‘free bubbly’ and ‘2-4-1’ steak offers lined up, to help them go out with a bang!
Full details from Bordelaise owner, Oliv:
“After 10 wonderful years, it’s with a heavy heart that we share some bittersweet news – our Tooting location will be closing its doors on the 26th of April.
“To say thank you, we’d love for you to join us throughout April to celebrate the memories we’ve made together, with these special offers:
“From Wednesday 1st to Sunday 19th April inclusive, we’ll be offering a complimentary glass of bubbly to everyone who dines with us.
“From Monday 20th to Sunday 26th April, (our final week), we’re offering 2-for-1 on all steaks, as a little farewell treat from us to you!”
To book a table at Bordelaise before they close their doors in Tooting, visit their website at www.bordelaise.co.uk
You’ll find Bordelaise located in the rear of Broadway Market Tooting at 29 Tooting High Street, open Tuesday to Sunday from Noon.
Happy 1st Birthday to Ralph's Balham! The popular wood-fired pizzeria is all dressed up for the occasion, celebrating a fantastic first year serving the local community at 13 Station Parade on Balham High Road.
When The Honest Italian closed in April 2024 after 12 years – with the long-standing owners retiring – the Cox family stepped in to preserve a local favourite. They kept Head Chef Tony (formerly of The Honest Italian) at the helm of the pizza oven, maintaining the same great taste and community vibe that residents loved, while breathing new life into the venue.
Owner Stephanie Cox tells us:
“We can’t believe it’s been a year already! We want to say a huge THANK YOU to all our customers for your incredible support. When we took over, we wanted to save a local favourite, preserve great pizza and create jobs – and it’s been a privilege to become part of this neighbourhood.
“Under its former ownership, this was our go-to for a family night out, so keeping that spirit alive has been really special for us as a family. We’ve had a great time getting to know everyone over the past year, and we’re excited for many more years to come!”
Alongside their authentic wood-fired pizzas, Ralph’s serves wine, cocktails and beer, making it perfect for everything from family dinners to nights out with friends.
You’ll find Ralph’s at 13 Station Parade, 189 Balham High Road, SW12 9AZ (opposite Du Cane Court), open Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10.30pm, and Friday-Sunday 12pm-10.30pm.
To book, call 0203 518 0221, email hello@ralphsbalham.com, or just walk-in if there’s room!
Access Self Storage has once again partnered with local charities to collect chocolate Easter eggs for those in need! The Balham location will be collecting for St George's Hospital Charity.
You can donate Easter eggs to the local Access Self Storage at 25 Boundaries Road until 2nd April.
Eleven little Egyptian goslings have been spotted on Tooting Common!
Dog walkers are asked to please keep their dogs on leads when near the lake to keep the them safe from harm.
Thanks to Harry McBride for sharing on the Friends of Tooting Common Facebook group.
You can also follow us on:
Thanks for reading! Subscribe to receive your Balham newsletter every Friday!
.