Tooting is located in the South London Borough of Wandsworth. This neighbourhood area is closely located to Balham to the North, and Streatham to the South West. It is well served by transport routes with local Tooting Bec tube station, which can get you to London Bridge in just 20 minutes. Tooting is home to London’s largest outdoor pool, as well as Tooting Bec Common, which is a large area of open green land available for those who don’t like swimming! This South West London neighbourhood area dates back to pre-Saxon times.

The name ‘Tooting’ is Anglo-Saxon, meaning for the people of Tota, with many historians believing that this is in reference to a leader named Tota. Tooting has long had a large South Asian community, with around 10% of its population originating from countries in South Asia. Tooting’s notable Indian, in particular Tamil, population has given it the nickname ‘Little South India’. Tooting Parliamentary ward currently has a Labour majority, with almost over half of the area voting for Labour in the 2019 General elections.

Tooting Bec Lido, is the UK’s largest fresh water swimming pool, and it contains one million gallons of water! Another fun and interesting fact: The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is a current resident and a former MP for Tooting.

One drawback of the area was the inadequate rating of Tooting Saint George’s Hospital in 2016; it was earmarked for upgrade in the summer of 2018. In 2021, it was announced that of the hospital’s buildings would be demolished and a new modular building would be developed in their place. Those in charge of the hospital have stated that these new development will be in line with their ‘five-year strategy to deliver outstanding care, every time.’

Wandsworth Council has sought the public’s insights and suggestions on how Tooting High Street can be improved. In 2020, consultations with the public were held, followed by a series of proposals that aim to enhance the area’s cycling and pedestrian system. One of the proposed changes was introducing a 20mph speed limit on the A24 Upper Tooting Road – Tooting High Street and Mitcham Road, which has already been given the green light. Factoring in additional improvements such as widening side walks and improving junctions, the changes will cost £4.5 million that are very well worth the benefits they will provide the local community. The Council has also invested heavily in providing electric car charging stations across the borough. In 2021, a prominent brownfield site on Tooting High Street that offers options for hotel or residential development was also brought to the market at a guide price of £12m. Considering the public realm changes being made in the area as well as the initial signs of increased development interest in the neighbourhood, the area’s attractiveness seems to be on the rise!