Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture is supposed to be a celebration for everyone. It’s a time to showcase the borough’s creativity, bring communities together, and leave a lasting cultural legacy. But as the events roll out, one thing is glaringly obvious—Putney has been left behind.
The official announcements have been full of excitement, highlighting 250 events and activities across Wandsworth. Yet look closer, and you’ll see that nearly all of them are happening in Battersea, Tooting, Nine Elms, Roehampton, Wandsworth Town, and Balham. Not a single major event appears to be set for Putney, which makes up a third of the borough.
For a riverside town with a deep cultural and sporting history, this exclusion is baffling. Putney’s high street, its historic rowing clubs, its green spaces, and its thriving arts community make it an obvious choice for cultural investment. But instead, it’s been ignored.
Is Putney seen as ‘too wealthy’ for culture?
One possible explanation is that Putney is often viewed as more affluent than other parts of Wandsworth. There’s a perception that it doesn’t need funding in the same way that areas like Roehampton or Nine Elms do – see the Council’s own Vision for Culture [pdf] for evidence of this. But that’s a simplistic—and frankly, unfair—way of looking at things.
Not everyone in Putney is wealthy. There are pockets of deprivation, struggling businesses, and local artists trying to make a living. Even in its wealthier areas, why should residents be shut out of cultural celebrations that their council tax is funding?
If the Borough of Culture is meant to bring the whole borough together, it shouldn’t be picking winners and losers. A thriving cultural scene benefits everyone, not just the parts of Wandsworth that the council deems most in need.
Is it also notable that none of the people who have put the program together live in Putney. Wandsworth Cabinet member for culture Kemi Akinola lives in Tooting, as does Leader of the council Simon Hogg, and London mayor Sadiq Khan spent most of his life in Tooting too. Even Putney’s own MP Fleur Anderson lives in Balham.
A missed opportunity for Putney’s cultural identity
Putney isn’t just another residential suburb—it’s a place with a strong cultural identity. It’s home to the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, one of the most famous sporting events in the world. It has a rich music history, with legendary venues like the Half Moon pub that have hosted rock and folk icons. It has community spaces, independent shops, and a creative heart that deserves just as much attention as the rest of Wandsworth.
Putney Arts Theatre, Putney School of Art & Design, St Mary’s Church that held the Putney Debates, the cricket club, the rugby club, the historic rowing clubs, not to mention the many local festivals we run.
By ignoring Putney in its Borough of Culture plans, the council is missing a huge opportunity to showcase what makes this part of Wandsworth special. Imagine cultural events on the Thames, pop-up art exhibitions along Putney High Street, or live performances in one of the many historic pubs. Instead, there’s silence.
Putney deserves a seat at the table
It’s not too late for Wandsworth Council to correct this oversight. The Borough of Culture year is still unfolding, and there’s time to make sure Putney isn’t treated as an afterthought.
Local leaders need to listen to Putney residents, businesses, and cultural groups and ensure that this celebration truly represents the entire borough. If they don’t, a third of Wandsworth will be left wondering why they were expected to cheer from the sidelines while everyone else got a front-row seat.
You can view all the event and celebrations – taking place outside of Putney – at the official Welcome to Wandsworth website.
