Local interest in the future of the Tooting Constitutional Club continues.

Wandsworth Council recently awarded Asset of Community Value status to the site – as Wandsworth Councillor and MP Guy Senior said: “This historic building has played a significant role in the story of Tooting. Because of this, the council believes the local community should have a greater say in the next chapter in its history. Our decision to list the Constitutional Club as an Asset of Community Value means that the building cannot be disposed of without the local community being given a chance to save it.”

As the Council announcement outlined, The Tooting Constitutional Club is located at 111-113 Tooting High Street and was established in 1917 as a working man's club. It houses a billiards room, skittle alley and also boasts a bowling green. Throughout its history it has served as a social club for the community. The building itself dates back to around 1730 and is one of only a few still standing which date back to the time when Tooting was still a small Surrey village.

Mr Samuel Samuels donated the building to the community in 1917 and was referred to as Tooting's 'Fairy Godmother' by Mr Wilson Spence, one of seven initial trustees. Mr Spence said he was “amazed at the magnitude of the gift so spontaneously offered to this district … now, sir, to you I offer … the unspoken thanks of generations of Tootingites yet unborn, who will rise up and bless the name of Mr Samuel Samuels for the gift he bestowed their forbears.”

A Community Interest Company, Tooting Corner, has been set up in response to the granting of ACV status. Tooting Corner is a local community group aiming to respect the past, respond to the future and be part of creating a better future for Tooting and Graveney. With regard to development in the area, they will be working to preserve public buildings and open spaces, protect Tooting’s heritage and support high quality and sustainable development with the needs of the whole community in mind.
 

Uses for the site could retain the original historic buildings and open space, alongside some new residential and commercial development. Ideas include multi-use community space, performance space, a pocket park, a children’s playground, a community garden and a green gym. Tooting History Group is also seeking local heritage listing for the building.
 

The current planning application for the site is on Wandsworth’s planning website (listed as 2014/6753). This is for demolition of the existing buildings and excavation involving redevelopment of the site for a part 3/4/5-storey scheme.

There is until April 29 to submit comments. The application will be considered in a planning meeting on May 21 and a number of local residents and councillors plan to attend.

Local councillors say in their response to the current planning proposal, “There is clear strong local support for maintaining the integrity of this building, which has been a feature of the local community for decades, originally donated to the people of Tooting by Samuel Samuels MP in 1917. We held a local public meeting back in November attended by over 20 local residents and conducted a petition in the surrounding streets, gathering over 200 signatures from residents in objection to the destruction of the building. We have also put the petition online and so far 258 people have signed this. The link to the petition can be found here. 

If any other fellow Tootingites are interested in getting involved with discussions, please contact tootingcorner@gmail.com.