Unfortunately we had to postpone yesterday's 'beat the crunch' sales and marketing seminar because the presenter was hospitalised with a knee injury.  We are hoping to reschedule the seminar and I will let people know as soon as the new date is confirmed. 

 

You may have noticed some high level graffiti on Balham High Road above Wetherspoons and As Nature Intended. The Council’s Graffiti Team has removed this graffiti in the past only for it to re-appear a couple of days later. In order to solve the problem the Council’s Crime Prevention Team is working on a scheme to make it harder for these vandals to gain access to the roof. I will give a further update as soon as I have more news.

 

 

 

The Balham Town Centre Partnership (BTCP) has launched a new three-year business plan. The main objectives are to attract new businesses and visitors to the town, improve the environment and help small firms through the recession.

 The strategy focuses on four key themes:

· Supporting local business

· Promoting Balham to residents, investors and visitors

· Improving the environment, safety and access

· Encouraging local stakeholders to work together

 The BTCP includes the council, local businesses, resident associations, community groups, the police and local schools.

The proposals include helping shopkeepers apply for council funding to improve their premises and a new marketing drive to encourage small businesses from other areas to invest in Balham.

Backed by the council, the BTCP will also be campaigning for improvements to the over ground station and new bus routes.

The business plan is now available to download from http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/balham

Local businesses woman Vicky Stothard has been elected chairman of the Balham Town Centre Partnership (BTCP).  Vicky has long been a committed member of the partnership and is the owner of Independent mindbodysoul, a successful salon on Balham High Road.

 

Following a successful market in October, Le Marchè Francais Authentique, an authentic French Market, will be returning to Hildreth Street and Bedford Hill this weekend.

 

A variety of products will be on sale including Cheeses, Dry Sausages, Garlic, Leather Goods, Olives, Bedspreads, Linen, Cashmere Soaps, Bread, Dry Fruits, Nuts, Cider, Takeaway Dishes, Regional Biscuits, Cakes, Soups, Pralines and Crepes.

 

The Market will be open 9am to 7pm on Saturday 20^th December and 10am to 5pm on Sunday 21^st December.

The Rotary Club of Balham will have their Christmas float in Balham this weekend. The float will be in the community space (next to Sainsbury’s Car Park on Bedford Hill) on Saturday 20th December from 10am to 3pm.

A new shopping and entertainment guide for Balham Town Centre is now available.

The guide lists all the fashion boutiques, florists, gift shops, beauty salons, bars and restaurants in Balham. It has a handy fridge magnet on the back so local people can keep hold of the guide and refer to it throughout the year.

The guide has been distributed to 10,000 local residents is also available in many Balham businesses. 

If you would like a copy of the guide please contact Reima Jumpp, Town Centre Assistant on 020 8871 6415 rjumpp@wandsworth.gov.uk

The Balham Shopping and Entertainment Guide was produced by the Balham Partnership with support from Wandsworth Council.

Christmas arrived in Balham yesterday with the switching on of the town centre Christmas lights. To mark the occasion a Balham Festive Evening was held in Hildreth Street.

 

Local people crowded into the street to take part in the carol singing lead by the Revered Wilma Roest from Churches Together in Balham and Upper Tooting. Children from Alderbrook and Trinity St Mary’s primary schools sang some solo numbers and a saxophone quartet accompanied the carol singers.

 

Children’s entertainers Boo and Sam Danby from the Bertie and Boo Coffee Shop did stilt walking and balloon modelling. A variety of seasonal refreshments were on offer including mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas biscuits.

 

The Christmas lights were switched on by the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Wandsworth.  The festive evening was organised by the Balham Town Centre Partnership, with support from Wandsworth Council.

 

On the first Firday of every month from August to December officers from the Balham Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at Balham library on Balham High Road (next to Waitrose) for the purpose of dealing with any queries and/or issues that you may wish to raise and discuss. This is not a public meeting but rather an opportunity for you to meet privately with local officers to discuss any subject matter. The surgeries will be held from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the Balham Library Study Room. 

 

Balham favourite, Postmark has scooped one of the UK's top retail awards after it was named the best independent card retailer in London at a glittering awards ceremony held in the Dorchester Hotel.

Beating off stiff competition Postmark picked up the coveted ‘Best Independent Card Retailer, London'  award at the RETAS - the official greeting card retailer awards launched in 2005 by Progressive Greetings Worldwide magazine.

Postmark’s owner Mark Janson-Smith said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be named the best independent card retailer in London. I was up against some really strong competition which made winning the award even better. I take great pride in stocking good quality, design led cards and I always try to provide the best customer service i can. Winning this award is a real honour and proves quailty and service make a real difference."