By: Hannah Northedge

Not only has Streatham got the longest High Street in Europe, it is also packed full of hidden treasurers and delights that are perfect for surprising a loved one this Valentine’s day. So, we have put together a selection of gifts that will help impress that special someone that can all be found on your doorstep... 

So why go anywhere else? Keep it local... shop in Streatham

By: Louise Abbots
inStreatham Business Improvement District

Hundreds of local businesses are set to see dramatic changes to the amount they pay in business rates from April after the government published the new ‘rateable values’ of their properties in September 2016.

By: EJ Ward

When I said to people that I was going to move to Streatham the first thing people mentioned was the food. We are well provisioned with more places to eat, than Donald Trump had votes.

But, what people failed to mention was their dirty little secret, the charity shops. In the past charity shops were looked down upon by people, they were places for those who had nothing to go to buy other people's castoffs. Often the clothing would be on its last legs, or ill fitting. It wasn't  a place one admitted to going.

By: Chris Winter

Streatham’s very own record shop, Turnstyle Records, opened six months ago right next to the Hideaway Jazz Cafe, tapping into to the well-publicised “vinyl revival”. 2015 has seen the incredible growth in vinyl sales continuing (a 56% rise from 2014), and owner Chris Winter has his own theories about why: “I’ve found that there’s a real range of people buying vinyl, from dinosaurs like me who are rediscovering the joy of handling and playing records, to younger music fans who realise that music sounds better when you are really listening rather than just hearing.”

The inStreatham Business Improvement District is proud to host a bumper Christmas celebration coming your way! Join us on Saturday 5 December for our 'LightsOn! Streatham' event when we switch on the Christmas lights in Streatham, celebrate Small Business Saturday and say a big hello to Santa in his grotto!

by Eileen Donaghey

82% of small to medium sized businesses in South London expect growth in 2015/16 according to a major survey of South London businesses conducted by law firm Anthony Gold, who have an office on Streatham High Road.

Commenting on this business positivity Chuka Umunna MP said:

"I am so proud to be from such a great part of South London and to represent our area in Parliament. Businesses in our area have been working incredibly hard over the last few years and it's fantastic that so many are feeling positive about what the future holds. 

Parking no more
All the way back in Issue 3 of Heart Streatham we featured John Rogers' area analysis of the lack of parking availability for shoppers on the High Road, our main shopping district, and a major town centre of Lambeth. Our efforts have been dealt two serious blows in the past month: firstly Lidl has changed their car park from a shoppers car park, to one for their customers only. Shortly after that we heard the news that the large Morrisons will almost certainly close within weeks.