Tooting Together

On 31 March 2011, Wandsworth Council and the Tooting Town Centre Partnership hosted an evening reception at New London Architecture in Central London. The event was designed to draw attention to Tooting's changing consumer catchment, and to promote the town centre as a strong investment opportunity. The eighty guests included commercial developers, property agents and retailers.

The speakers were:

Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council but at the time Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning who spoke about the Council's vision for Tooting and the Tooting Together initiative

Roi Mengelgrein, consultant for Tooting Market who spoke about the new owners' intentions to reposition the market so it becomes a new heart for the town centre                   

Jeff Wilson, Regional Town Planning Manager, Sainsbury's who described how successfully the Tooting store was trading, and how it had exceeded the company's expectations very quickly after opening

Anthony Thomas, Chairman, Antic Ltd shared the reasons behind his investment in Tooting's evening economy including his latest acquisition the Wheatsheaf pub, as well as future planned investments in Tooting     

Matthew Hopkinson, Director, Local Data Company finally Matthew presented the statistics supporting Tooting as a vibrant and exciting place to trade, with much - as yet - untapped potential.

Audrey Helps, the Tooting Town Centre Manager, introduced each speaker and encouraged guests to stay and network. (It proved hard to get people to leave).

Update

Since the above event took place, Wilkinsons have announced that they will be moving into the former Woolworth's site at 19 - 21 Mitcham Road. You can expect to see the doors of their new store opening in early October 2011.

Speakers pictured left to right: Roi Mengelgrein, consultant for Tooting Market; Audrey Helps, Tooting Town Centre Manager; Cllr Ravi Govindia; Anthony Thomas, Chairman, Antic Ltd; Matthew Hopkinson, Director, Local Data Company; Jeff Wilson, Regional Town Planning Manager, Sainsburys.