Success for tooting's save our high street campaign as government announces new betting shop legisla

Taking the pulse of South West London – news, features and sport 24/7

HOME

NEWS

FEATURED

SPORT

FEATURES

ENTERTAINMENT

ABOUT US CONTACT PRIVACY POLICY

FOOD AND DRINK

LONDON ELECTIONS 2016

Success for Tooting’s Save Our High Street campaign as government announces new betting shop legislation

‘App-ily’ ever after? Londoners’ mobile phone ‘addiction’ damaging relationships, research reveals

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan is celebrating this week after the government announced local councils will be given more powers to prevent betting shops from opening.

Completely dotty! Kingston University graduate’s dalmationthemed installation explores hoarding world

Review: A fetish-inspired cocktail? I’ll drink to that! Battersea’s Three Six Six launches bold menu

businesses and residents raised concerns that the number of betting shops in Tooting had reached 22.

betting shops will help hand powers back to the local community Over 1,000 local people have already shown their support for the campaign, and Mr Khan thanked them for forcing the government to finally take action. “Together we have achieved this great success,” he said. “Once this legislation has been introduced, the council will have no excuse for failing to clamp down on the number of betting shops opening. I will be monitoring them very closely to make sure they do. Residents and businesses said they were pleased that something was finally being done. Margaret Trower, 48, has lived in the area for the past seven years and is concerned that the growing number of betting shops has impacted on anti-social behaviour. Cash crisis as mental health funding for young people is cut in Wandsworth and Lambeth by more than £250,000

London’s queer tango circuit blazes trail for Strictly Come Dancing’s same-sex couples

Mr Khan launched the Save Our High Street campaign in December 2013 after local

After months of campaigning, the government have announced that a new planning class for

Amanda Holden and Paul O’Grady to join star-studded line-up for Battersea Collars & Coats Gala Ball fundraiser

EDITOR’S PICKS

Image:

By Li Hoang

Sutton Masterchef quarterMnalist to deliver Indian cookery masterclass at Wimbledon Park Food Festival

Search

Fulham dad urges cake connoisseurs to Bake a Difference to help son, 6, with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Summary: New rules will mean local councils will have more power to prevent betting shops from opening. Afghan national living in Croydon who BOUGHT Lithuanian woman for £700 in bid to stay in UK jailed

SEARCH THE SITE

“I would like to see some nicer shops here if they do the place up,” she said. “There’s too much crime in this area, I can’t even let my kids out to play safely. There’s always police sirens going off.” Businesses also feel that area could benefit from a redevelopment. Anita Ahmad, of Aubrey’s Discount Stores, Tooting, said: “I think they should get rid of betting shops altogether. I’ve had this shop open for over 50 years and I’ve seen everything change dramatically.”

Twins peak: Wandsworth brothers to embark on Russian mountain climb for medical charity – in pictures

Mrs Ahmad blames the councils for not doing enough although she has complained numerous times. She said she would like to see some more upmarket stores like Debenhams that may attract more people to Tooting. Mr Khan said that although the government decision is a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go to save high streets. “The campaign doesn’t end here. We already have 22 betting shops in Tooting, 53 in Wandsworth and I want to see the government give our community the power to reduce that number too,” he said. “Tooting is a fantastic place to live, and everyone in the local community is very proud of our area. “We’ve seen some exciting new businesses open recently, including the Chicken Shop and The Little Bar and the national press have recently described Tooting as ‘cool’ – but that isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement.” Follow us @SW_Londoner

RELATED POSTS London’s high streets: Nostalgic notion or community hotspots?

MOST POPULAR ‘Israel is racist and apartheid state’: Twickenham Green candidate faces backlash after ‘ignorant’ claims

Tags: high, street, save, khan, sadiq

Tooting MP calls on council to scrap controversial sheltered housing scheme Tags: tooting, will, planning, residents, local, community, wandsworth, khan, people, sadiq

Volunteers celebrate as Wandsworth HIV charity opens sixth community shop Tags: wandsworth, khan, sadiq, shop, people, tooting, community, years, local, shops

Community heroes honoured by Tooting MP Sadiq Khan during Westminster event

Tags: community, wandsworth, khan, tooting, sadiq, success

Wandsworth Council re-afPrm casino ban Tags: wandsworth, betting, community, street, high, shops, number, will, residents, tooting