Good Neighbour Awards

Al-Mirage is a modern style Pakistani restaurant established in 2006 by the Shamim family. Mrs Shamim is one of the very few women heading up a catering business in Tooting. She wanted to open something different, and likes to add a womanly touch to the restaurant.

Al Mirage is committed to providing good food, sourced from the freshest ingredients and cooked using the healthiest methods. Al Mirage focuses on the healthy choice by reducing the salt in food, using less food colouring and less oil. Their food is free from preservatives, additives and any GM products.

The restaurant is often visited by famous faces, including Ainsley Harriott, and Asian cricketers and singers.

Website: www.al-mirage.co.uk

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Aradhana was established in May 1977 by Ashok Thakkar and his wife after running the family Saree shop in Bombay which has been in his family for 70 years.

This retail saree shop specialises in sarees, ready made suits and fabrics directly imported from India. Aradhana stocks womenswear, menswear and children’s wear. They can help customers with custom fittings and provide alterations.

Ashok said of the ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme that it is good to be recognised as part of the initiative. He plans to extend the shop next year to provide more services, space and variety of fabrics. He regularly participates in Council meetings and events

Barkers Chemist was established eighty years ago, the oldest pharmacy in South-West London.  The current owners, Mr Ali Jivraj and his wife Mrs Yasmin Jivraj, have managed the business since 1995 - 14 years.

Barkers are very active in the community, taking on upto 20 children a year from Burntwood and Graveney Schools for work experience as well as students from Kingston University, St Georges Hospital medical school and doctors from the neighbouring doctors surgery.

In addition to standard pharmacy services, they also carry out blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol monitoring.  Prescriptions can also be delivered as well as collected.   Barkers are open until 7pm Monday to Friday.

Mr Juma and family relocated from Leicester following Mr Juma’s redundancy from Racal Decca. The family business was established in 1992 retailing childrens wear. The business changed to Dual Clothing 3 years ago.

Dual Clothing retails ladies and menswear fashion separates from teenagers to the discerning well dressed clientele. Their range also includes bags, belts and accessories to complete your look.

Mr Juma said “he was pleased to support the Tooting Good Neighbourhood scheme and hopes his ‘Good Neighbour Award’ sticker will encourage other businesses to get involved”.

Mr Gani has traded in Tooting since 1980 – 29 years. The family used to live in Tooting and like the location “ it is a very neighbourly area”. The business is family run. Mr Gani’s son Zuber Gani, joined the business when he left Graveney school 18 years ago.

The store retails high fashion ladies and mens wear clothing targeted at the 18-30 age market. They specialise in men’s Kicker footwear and boys back-to-school footwear.

You can contact them at fashionplus@talktalk.net

Geeta Sarees is a family business run by Mr Suresh Shah and his wife Mrs Geeta Shah. The family have traded at 231 Upper Tooting Road in Tooting since 1984. They decided upon Tooting due to it being a multi-cultural area suited to this type of retail business. Geeta Sarees supports local primary schools, donating items for school raffle prizes.

Mr Shah travels to India every 4 months where they make his own unique designs and coloured sarees for the store. Geeta Sarees retails wedding sarees, formal wear and casual wear for women, men and children. They can also carry out alterations.

The store supplied most of the costumes for Andrew Lloyd Webbers Bombay Dreams acclaimed stage play in the west end. More recently, sarees were sourced for the actors and actresses starring in a new west end play – the King and I. Buyers purchased their ornate sarees which they will make into decorative costumes for the cast!

Khushbu was established in December 2000 by Radha Panchal. As a little girl Radha worked in the family clothing business in India, and dreamed of a career in Fashion. After graduating she worked in the motor trade for 12 years before realising her dream and opening Khushbu in Tooting.

Khushbu offers the latest in anarali/ churidar suits, kaftans, shalwar kameez, sarees, trouser suits, kidswear and jewellery. Since opening the product range has expanded to lengha/bridalwear, menswear and handbags. Khushbu provides personal shopping services and made to order garments. They offer their regular shoppers customer loyalty cards. Khushbu is soon to relaunch its website with new products, so customers can buy online.

Khushbu means ‘fragrance’ in which Radha has a keen interest, and one day she hopes to launch her own perfume in the shop.

Khushbu entered into the Good Neighbour scheme to continue to build good relations with fellow shop owners.

Website: www.khushbu.co.uk

Juliet’s was born 15 years ago!  The business was a party shop, supplying party goods and disposables for special occasions and restaurants, cake decorators and the public.  Due to family illness, Sharon changed the business to “one I had more passion and understanding of”.  Her mother Anastasia is her business Partner.

We support neighbouring schools for fundraising, salon owners get discounts to help them grow their business and not lose their customer, especially when they cannot afford to hold inventory. 

We specialise In Model Model, Dreamweaver Human Hair, Glance Synthetic Braids and wigs, Adorable Human Hair,  Beverly Johnson Wigs & Lace Wigs.  My family has been recognised by Business Link Brent who collaborated with the Princes Trust for Prince Charles’ visit.

Customers include Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, runner Dwain Chambers, Prince Charles, newsreader Ronke Philipps, celebrity hair dressers as well as radio station Choice FM  live in-store on many occasions.

“We love helping ethnic, Indian or European customers with hair problems as we have wigs for fashion or poor health.  My father was the first person to bring cocoa butter to England.   We concentrate on building the business through good training & service rather than price alone.”

Telephone: 020 8672 8882

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Karimaandsaira Hair and Beauty, are a new hair and beauty business in Tooting.  Karima and Saira Ahmed manage this family business.  The business moved from neighbouring Balham in January 2009 where they had traded for 17 years.

They offer a full range of hair and beauty services from their children-friendly salon – bridal make-up, manicure and pedicures, eyebrow threading, electrolysis, henna hand-painting as well as traditional and ammonia-free natural hair colouring.   The salon specialises in Japanese style permanent hair straightening.

The business has supported Tooting Hub in the past organising workshops which were very popular.

Karima and Saira fully supports the Tooting good neighbour scheme, their commitment to the area, their customers and the local business community.

Telephone: 020 8672 5040
Email: info@karimaandsaira.co.uk

Lal-Kurti was established in 1993. Began as a family business with extensive experience of fashion in the western market. Both husband and wife decided to create and cater for the asian market in the UK - which was still in its early stages.

Working with selective designers, they filled in the gap which was a necessity in the UK asian fashion. Their creativity has been inherited by their children who are also very much involved in the field. The business and shopfloor is now a creative outlet for them all.

Gurminder has run successful businesses throughout East and South-East London for over 10 years.  He decided to open his business at 66 Upper Tooting Road SW17 in August 1998.  Tooting was chosen because it was “seen as an up and coming area.”   He also lives in Tooting. Gurminder started his business solely from scratch working long hours.  He now employs 5 highly trained and self motivated staff.

London Print House - print and copy centre can meet all your printing needs.  Their special in-house digital print capabilities enable them to produce short runs on demand as well as while-you-wait. 

They design leaflets, wedding and birthday invitations, booklets, banners etc and offer a corporate identity branding service.  They have printed material for PDSA animal charity and St John’s Ambulance bingo 2009 competition as well as monthly newsletters for Croydon & Southwark Councils.

They deliver anywhere in the UK.

E-mail:  info@londonprinthouse.co.uk

Minar Jewellers was taken over by the Pattni family in 1986 as it was an opportunity to expand their business by owning two shops in Tooting. Minar Jewellers is a member of the National Association of Goldsmiths.

Pravin Pattni was born in Kenya and has been a Jeweller in the UK for 32 years. His expertise in Asian Jewellery has led to him giving lectures at the annual Jewellers Conference held at Loughborough University on valuing Asian Jewellery and has been an expert witness in many court cases. Each staff member in this family business has been fully trained; in many cases staff have passed courses with distinction.

Minar Jewellers specialises in 22 carat gold, diamonds and gemstones. However they also offer platinum, 18 carat gold, silver pieces and watches. They can produce individually designed and custom made pieces for clients; this includes tiaras and wedding jewellery for modern brides. An unusual commission from one customer was to produce a ring with his family crest on the reverse, to be used as a stamp on letters and envelopes as his sign of approval!

Pravin is the Deputy Chairman of the Tooting Business Network, so is in constant communication with the other businesses in Tooting. He is keen to keep Tooting moving forward.

Every year Minar Jewellers supports the local community by sponsoring events. During Diwali, Minar Jewellers has sponsored a particular function for the past 25 years.

Mr Kanu Patel and his wife Mrs Sadhana Patel started their pharmacy business in Tooting in the early 1970’s.   The family live in Croydon but prefer to trade in Tooting due to the diverse mix of different cultures in the area.  The premises were refurbished in December 2007 which has brought more footfall into the pharmacy.

Nettles Pharmacy offer regular work experience opportunities to local colleges and schools.  They also support local primary schools with donations for school events and fundraising activities.

Nettles pharmacy won a National award for Wandsworth PCT’s Minor Ailment scheme in March 2009.  This PCT scheme promotes access to medicines from local pharmacies rather than through your own GP for day to day minor ailments. 

Mrs Sadhana Patel said the businesses prides itself in the level of service it offers to the local community and success in achieving this award is due to the combined efforts of the whole team which includes 2 front line staff – Jaysheree Patel and Karolina Mazurkiewicz.

Mr Nasar and his wife opened Nasar Collections in 1985.  At that time, there were limited similar ladies fashion wear businesses in Tooting. 

Nasar Collections cover a vast range from traditional to western style ladies fashionwear.  They buy Irish linen for their Ghanaian, South African and Nigerian customers as well as ornate materials which their Moroccan customers love. 

Local schools regularly purchase items for their resources and school plays.

Mr Nasar seized the opportunity to show his support and commitment to the Tooting Good Neighbour scheme.

Mr Mohinder Singh Ubhi came to Britain from Punjab India in 1964.  His first employment was working in a chemical factory in Birmingham, moving on to Wembley before settling in Southall.  When he opened Newlight Fashions 10 years ago, there were only 4 similar businesses in Tooting. 

The Ubhi family regularly travel to Delhi and Bombay to buy items for the business.  His wife Jakdish Ubhi a former tailor, provides invaluable support and advice on these trips on ladieswear items for the shop.

Newlight fashions retail saris, lehangah clothing for wedding and parties, men and boys wedding and party suits, childrens wear, shoes, handbags and artificial jewellery. 

Alterations for fits are carried out free of charge.

Mr Jagjeet Soor’s father Amrik Soor, started the family’s first business in the 1970’s.  Mr Jagjeet Soor joined the business when he left school in 1988.  The family live locally.

The Nutrician and Beauty Centre retails alternative medicines and natural cosmetics that do not contain any unwanted colours and synthetic ingredients. 

The modern shop is different to regular retail health food chains in that 2 members of the team hold the National Diploma in Health Food Retailing which has been mandatory since 1992.  This enables them to impart their knowledge, speciality advice and expertise to their customers.

The business supports the local Sikh community through regular donations to the local Sikh Temple in Upper Tooting Road.  Mr Soor said the Tooting Good Neighbour Award scheme is a good idea for businesses to achieve something that would benefit their regular customers and those travelling to shop in Tooting.

Brothers Vijay and Mike Patel took over the chemist which was already a running concern in November 2001. They expanded the size of the unit by purchasing the shop next door.

Pearl Chemist is a retail pharmacy that provides an additional range of services – an in-house photo lab, chiropodist service, opticians and offers deliveries for housebound customers.

The business provides gifts every year to Sellincourt primary School for their school fair raffle. The brothers actively revived the Christmas Tree event at Church Corner which is a very popular annual festive event in the Tooting calendar.

Pearl Chemist were runners up in the Wandsworth Business Awards Scheme Customer Service category 3 years ago.

Vijay and Mike entered the Good Neighbour scheme because they “believe in Tooting, helping the community, and wanted to show their support and commitment.”

Telephone: 020 8672 2157
Website: www.pearlchemist.co.uk
Address: 134-136 Mitcham Rd, Tooting

We provide a professional optical advisory service with a wide selection of basic to designer frames at an affordable price. Hence people with all income levels are accommodated. We also have a structured after sales follow up customer care service, and being an independent practice, we have developed a closer rapport with our patients. There are three branches which are owned by Mrs Dishna Jayasena.

We regularly collect money for the greater London fund for the blind. We participate in school work experience programmes and have had many students from nearby schools work with us. We are now training a local student who is studying optometry at City university.

Tooting is a busy, diverse town which is fast growing with the mixture of cultures and different nationalities. Thus, this is interesting being in a community based business such as optometry.

Telephone: 020 8767 6501
Address:74 Mitcham Rd, Tooting

Pooja Sweets & Savouries was established in May 1996 by the Salim family. Shahid started his confectionary career for Pershad Sweets which formerly occupied the premises. However after starting his own business next door, Shahid eventually moved back taking over and converting the two premises into one large shop.

Pooja produces hot and cold savouries and sweet traditional recipes, 90% is made on the premises. Their website offers an online ordering service which can distribute worldwide. They aspire to have their branded products in national supermarkets and to distribute their products to hotels and international outlets.

Imran Salim recommends Rasmali (a milk curd sweet dipped in milk syrup), samosas or chilli paneer rolls.

They are pleased to have been awarded the ‘Good Neighbour’ award as this indicates that they are a reliable and trusted retailer, so that their customers can buy with confidence. Pooja often support local events.

Website: www.poojasweets.com

Prachy Creations is an Asian fashion retailer run by Rajan Jariwala and his wife Ami. The business was established in India in 1947 by Rajan’s father who moved to the UK in 1985 and set up shop in Tooting. Rajan took over the family business in September 1998, renaming the business after the birth of his daughter Prachy who is now 11 years old.

The store specialises in Sarees, ready made suits, costume jewellery and they also stock a wide range of bangles. Prachy Creations prides itself on having great products and providing good value for money and service.

Website: www.Prachy.co.uk

The Pattni family first set up a jewellery business in Streatham in 1976. The family established Pravin A Pattni Jewellers at 207 Upper Tooting in 1985, “Tooting had become a vibrant shopping centre with a wide range of specialist shops selling food, sarees, jewellery and more recently, a range of beauty salons”.

Mr Pattni is a member of the Tooting Business Network group that meet regularly. Through this network, he has helped organise street lighting during Diwali, Eid, Christmas and special occasions. As well as the Tooting Good Neighbour scheme, the business were also issued with a certificate under the Go Green Project.

Pravin A Pattni Jewellers retails 18 and 22 carat gold and platinum diamond jewellery. They also make bespoke jewellery and offer valuations carried out by a professionally recognised National Association of Goldsmiths (N.A.G.) valuer.

Mr Mukesh Pattni “supports the Tooting Town Centre Manager in all her good work in Tooting.”

Pravin Pattni Jewellers are members of the National Association of Goldsmiths (N.A.G.).

Mrs Raahat Rauf and her 2 daughters, Madeeha and Marium, manage this made to order bridal and evening wear boutique.  Raahat bridal wear caters for the whole family from their store at 64 Upper Tooting Road.  Their services includes tailoring and Marium Rauf creates their designs. 

The business won UK Weddings magazine Bridal BA Award for bridal wear design in 2004.

The store is well known, having dressed the wives of sport personalities and soap stars.

The Rauf family are a longstanding Tooting business - around 15 years in Tooting and are  very supportive of the Tooting Good Neighbour scheme and the benefits this will bring to the area and their customers.

Address: 64 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, SW17 7PD
Tel: 020 8355 4590

Ricardo Gibbs, his wife Annie and brother Tony, manage the family restaurant.  They are supported by chef Alex and waitresses Elaine, Erica and Toni.

The restaurant specialise in fish, shellfish, offal and haggis meals.  Their weekly ‘Steak Tuesday’ meals are very popular, with Irish rump steak meals for £10. Fat used to fry their chips is recycled and they also buy their honey locally in Wandsworth.

Ricks provides prizes for local primary school raffles and supports St Georges Hospital Rag and Fashion Weeks. 

Ricardo fully supports the Tooting Good Neighbour concept. 

Address: 122 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17
Tel: 020 8767 5219
Email: ricardogibbs@hotmail.co.uk

Russells Trade & DIY was established in 1910 under the trading name of D.J.Russells as Ironmongers. The business was passed onto three generations of the Russells family. This store has always been a hardware shop where you can purchase an 1” wood screw hidden in a tiny box in the rear of the shop. You could also buy a single washer that was conveniently categorized in a chest of drawers (which still exists today!).

The Singh family took over the business in 1981 and kept it running as a Hardware Store. We sold DIY products, kitchen utensils and even loose paraffin which was then sold for a £1 per gallon.

From 2003 there were massive changes for the better with a £200,000 facelift of the property which included an extension plus Chrome Sign lettering with built in neon lighting for the shop front. The prominent Ironmonger Sign can be seen as far as Balham High Road and has been with the building since 1910. The store now is a trade custom specialist selling professional products throughout. We also hold various trade shows, the most popular being the DeWalt Power Tool day in conjunction with Kings Head Pub whereby customers enjoy free refreshments and try out new machines. We also sell plumbing and electrical fittings, Dulux Trade Paint mixing & Decorating products, Sand & Cement, Timber and Calor Gas.

We also have close ties with various Wandsworth Council departments, and regularly participate in council events. We have excellent relations with our local police and community support teams. Russells staff currently hold the BATCA (Balham and Tooting Community Association) trophy for cricket for the past two seasons (2007 & 2008) presented by the MP for Tooting Sadiq Khan. We are also currently organising a local golf society for local residents and businesses.

Sajna was established in June 2004 by Mohammed Parvaiz and his wife as a hair and beauty salon. They located in Tooting as it was a cosmopolitan part of South London.

They offer hair cuts, colour and treatments, threading, waxing, facials among other treatments.

Sajna maintain very high standards which has been recognised nationally as they have been awarded 5* rating in the Good Salon Guide.

The name Sajna has a double meaning, firstly it is the verb to get ready, which is rather fitting to a hair and beauty salon, but it can also be used as a term of endearment to a partner.

Since opening in 2004, two more Sajna salons have opened, one in Clapham and another in Tooting. The other Tooting salon is for woman only, Mohammed is not just not allowed in there during trading hours.

Sajna is often involved in community events. Last year they held a fashion show in the salon which sold £12,000 worth of jewellery. In October they had a Breast Cancer charity evening in which they raised £2,000.

Website: www.sajna.co.uk

Established in 1978, we have been trading for over 30 years in Tooting, starting out on the bridge opposite Tooting train station and now for many years at our large shop on Amen Corner. 

Saxon has been built up from scratch by Lesley and Raymond Stedman.  Their daughter Nicky has worked for her parents for the last 10 years.  We have 3 engineers out on the road, 2 of which have been with us for 30 years and shop staff including Danny, our shop manager.

We try and support community activities and are proud of our many fundraising achievements.  In 2009 Danny raised £1,500 from a sky dive in aid of the Tooting Cancer Unit.

We specialise in locks and key cutting.  Our shop stocks a large range of door furniture, safes, grilles and gates.  Our engineers out on the road provide a fitting service.  We have a very loyal customer base in SW17.  Clients include major plcs, embassies, royal palaces, MPs, authors, actors and comedians.

Saxon won the Silver 2009 Best Security Retailer of the Year award, “we were so pleased to be acknowledged for our efforts over the years and this led to us applying for the Good Neighbour Award which we are also very proud of”

Website: www.saxonlocks.co.uk

Scanito Jeans is a family business in Tooting since December 1979. Their speciality is to offer menswear clothing - jeans, shirts, jackets, jumpers and t-shirts which you would not find in chain stores.

The business supports St Georges hospital and their medical students.

“Tooting has and always will be a town centre that has something different to offer. The mix of customers who come to our store is brilliant! The family extends their thanks to all their customers who have become friends and have kept us going in the good and bad times. To be in business for 30 years and love coming everyday tells you everything.”

Telephone: 020 8767 5196
Address: 72 Mitcham Rd, Tooting

About Us: With over ten years of experience in authentic Pakistani cuisine, Spice Village offers an extensive range of high quality Asian Dishes with a unique blend of Indian & Pakistani Traditional food.

With a highly successful restaurant located on the world known Tooting High Street, Spice Village has a reputation that is second to none.

We believe in: Using only the freshest, finest ingredients , Authentic traditional food dishes prepared by the highly experienced Chefs, A professional service, Highly competitive prices, A strictly Halal food serving restaurant.

Mission Statement: Spice Village’s Mission is to provide healthy, nutritious and superior quality food with great taste at competitive prices Spice Village’s Social Mission is to operate the company in a way, where it recognizes the role that businesses play in the society by working together and by appropriate interaction with local communities and businesses. In recognition of our active role we have recently been awarded the Good Neighborhood award by the Wandsworth Council.

Address: Spice Village 32-34 Upper Tooting Road Tooting, SW17 7PD
Tel: 0208 672 0710
Web: www.spicevillageltd.co.uk
Email: info@spicevillageltd.co.uk

About Us: Tooting Pharmacy Practice started trading at 175 Upper Tooting Road in 1982 - 28 years of trading in Tooting with a staff team of mainly local residents.

“We have all the normal chemist services like dispensing, medicines, information kiosk, minor ailment scheme, blood pressure checks and holistic services like body massage, herbal medicines, ayurvedic doctor”

Indrajit Patel was awarded the Wandsworth Civic Award 2007 and is very active with many local community groups eg Tooting Partnership and the Tooting Business Network.

Address: 175 Upper Tooting Rd
Telephone: 0208 672 5843

Walker Wyatt is a combined coffee shop and Estate Agency family business.  The Estate agency side of the business opened in 1987, the coffee shop incorporated on the premises in February 2009.

Martin and Suzanne Wyatt stock fair trade produce and source their products locally.  Actors, musicians and many talented people frequent the business.

They have supported Fircroft and St Anslems primary schools with their school fetes and fundraising events.  

The couple enjoy the cultural diversity of the area.  The Tooting Good Neighbour award is the business’ first award.

Contact them at:  www.walkerwyatt.com

Mr Sivasundram Velluppillai and family established Western Jewellers on 1st December 1995. Western Jewellers was the first Sri Lankan jewellery business in the UK.

The family have since opened another Sri Lankan jewellery shop branch in Wembley in 2000 and own a further business in Tooting – Silk Emporium, a Sari shop. Their beautiful shop window display at 122 Upper Tooting Road is well worth a visit!

Western Jewellers deal with 22 carat hallmarked gold jewellery, diamonds, white gold and platinum. They create custom-made jewellery and carry out repairs on the premises while-u-wait. Tamil actresses are a number of the regular clients visiting the Tooting store.

Western Jewellers are avid supporters of local charitable events such as Tamil community events and local primary school events. The family support Tamil university cultural events.

Visit their website at www.westernjewellers.com