With Tooting adopting the reputation of being a multicultural hub and full of hustle and bustle, it is no surprise that Lonely Planet named it one of the top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2017. With a wide variety of places to eat and cultures to experience it is the perfect place to go to have a fun time. Not only this, but you will have no trouble getting there as it is ideally situated between the two tube stations of Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec.
In the heart of the hubbub lies the hidden gem that is Tooting Market. With a plethora of stalls, bars and pop-up restaurants it is the central hangout spot for the people of Tooting. Some of the food stalls include: Lebanese, Guyanese, Chinese and Italian. To allow locals to shop sustainably and locally there is a butchers and grocers, setting a fantastic example for the rest of London. The community of Tooting is continuously looking for ways to become more environmentally friendly and support locals instead of big businesses. Tooting Market is home to small businesses that take pride in their work: eco-friendly refill shops, authentic restaurants with food from all over the world, fabric and homeware, hairdressers, health and beauty, and so many other fantastic well-run businesses. There is always a wide age demographic so Tooting Market serves the needs of all. On one hand, you see teenagers meeting up with friends after school to grab a bite to eat and socialise, and in the evenings, people enjoy going out for a drink with their friends and family at the bars. Ms Chrzanowska is a regular at Tooting Market and says, “My family and I know that when we go there we are bound to have a good time. Usually we like to get food at Franco Manca and then enjoy a drink together afterwards.”
To the east of the market lies the green space that is Tooting Common – a place where people walk their dogs, attend park runs and socialise. With a well-loved café and pond full of ducks and the occasional tortoise it is a hub for the community to gather and enjoy the amenities. In the summer months it is swamped with people enjoying a picnic with friends and family, whereas in the winter one sees the people on a dog walk, hot chocolate in hand, walking with a friend. The tennis courts are a fantastic place for people to keep fit and meet new people. It truly is a wonderful space for the local people to enjoy.
With so much more to explore in Tooting, it is definitely a place to visit.
