NEWS ROUNDUP Demolition crews will tear down one of Putney’s most rundown corners blocks next month, beginning a transformation that will reshape the area around Putney Bridge Road until 2028 as developers prepare for major hotel construction.
The corner building currently housing Preto restaurant, former Gadget Xchange, and Ramna restaurant will be completely demolished in October, with developers confirming hotel and retail construction will begin March 2026 and last two years.
However, potential complications remain over fire safety measures affecting neighbouring buildings – requirements updated since Grenfell that developers have not yet detailed publicly. The October demolition will create noise and dust but most concerning will be significant traffic disruption around Putney’s busiest intersection.
Meanwhile, just two shops down, the scaffolding on the Marks & Spencer is due to come down in November with an opening planned for Easter next year.
Safety concerns across the area
Residents have reported suspected drug dealing at the back of Sainsbury’s car park on Werter Road, with apparent lookouts positioned at the entrance while transactions allegedly take place at the back. Keep an eye out.
Meanwhile, firefighters have issued urgent safety warnings after an unattended candle caused a house fire on Putney Hill on Sunday night. With darker evenings approaching and increased candle use, fire safety experts recommend never leaving flames burning in empty rooms and always extinguishing candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
Police have also warned elderly residents about “courier fraud” scammers using landline calls with believable stories, often posing as police or bank officials. A Wimbledon woman recently lost over £400,000 over a year to such fraudsters. Legitimate authorities never ask for PIN numbers or send couriers to collect cards or cash – residents should hang up immediately and contact institutions directly.
Other community updates
South Western Railway is expanding body-worn cameras after recording more than two assaults per day on staff this year. The cameras capture 30 seconds before activation and studies suggest they can reduce assault likelihood by nearly half.
The fight to save Queen Mary’s minor injuries unit continues, with the formal consultation expected next month. An opposition petition has gathered over 9,650 signatures as of Wednesday morning.
On a positive note, Wandsworth Common playground has reopened after safety issues were addressed, though some residents remain concerned about ongoing maintenance standards.
I have two comments: Why do you never have any comments?
and how can I send you a photo? I took one of the 5 buses in the queue on Lower Richmond Road on Saturday but there were even more, including one that I got off from at Kaffee cafe because it was quicker to walk. Buses are severely impacted by drivers using Felsham Road and then pushing in closer to the bridge.
Forgive the abruptness, but here: https://putney.news/send-your-story/