#Fiverfest 22 September – 6th October 2018

 

  1. 1 of 1 Design, 80 High St.  Selection of hats, scarves, brooch cards, pocket sketch books, just £5 each (usually £8-£10).
  2. 1501design c/o www.1501design.co.uk  Special #Fiverfest 15 minute consultation to assess your design logo/branding/mailer needs followed by a 1 page report with recommendations. Phone 0 to discuss.
  3. The Abercorn Arms 76 – 78 Church Rd.  Fabulous food & drink deals for just £5.
  4. AG Miller, 152 Waldegrave Rd.  Kilo of AG Miller sausages (pork, Lincolnshire or Cumberland) (usually £7.99).
  5. Bridget Lucas Therapies c/o Simply Skin 68b Broad St.  Book a 15 min Postural Assessment (normally £15) available 28/9 & 3/10.
  6. Card Collection 39 High St. 2x 18″ helium filled foil balloons for £5 (usually £8).
  7. Cavan Bakery 25 High St. Please see Cavan shop windows for their fabulous £5 offer.
  8. Cavan Bakery 42 Broad St. Please see Cavan shop windows for their fabulous £5 offer for £5.
  9. Cavan Bakery 111 Stanley Rd. Please see Cavan shop windows for their fabulous £5 offer for £5.
  10. Douetil Holistic Therapies c/o Orange Tree Clinic, Broad St.  15min Aromatherapy Neck /Shoulder Massage NB: Call to book 0
  11. Fallow Deer 130 High St. 2 small glasses of house red or white wine or 2 bottles of ‘beer of the week,’ for just £5.
  12. Fun Factory 14 The Causeway. A roll of wrap, a greetings card, a banner & an 18″ foil balloon all for just £5.
  13. Heirloom 110 High St. 9 scented t-lights with t-light holder just £5. (usually £8.50) – limited to 2 per person.
  14. MP Hair 92 High St. Hampton Wick.  Fabulous EVO Trio boxes (fabulous selection of no nonsense) hair products (usually £9) or children’s haircuts with Jay for £5. Call for T&C’s and to book an appointment phone or see www.mphair.co.uk
  15. Mary’s Living & Giving 93 High St. Selection of Yoga mats or Liberty T-Towels, just £5 each.
  16. OneOneFour 114 High St. A ‘Good Life’ Gin & Tonic for just £5, limited to 1 per person per visit. or see www.oneonefour.co.uk
  17. Refill Larder 122 High St. (inside Gardenia)  £8 of refills for just £5 – includes nuts, seeds, rice, pasta, shampoos, conditioners, hand wash & lots more. Pop in to 122 High St (inside Gardenia Florists)
  18. Shambles 83 – 85 High St. Any delicious bowl of handcut pasta – Tuesday to Saturday lunchtimes just £5.
  19. Simply Skin 68b Broad St.  File & polish, Skin-solvers or a selection of mini products just £5 each.
  20. Teddington Cheese 42 Station Rd. Buy £8 of selected cheese & pay just £5.
  21. Teddington Sports 49 Broad St. Selection of England Rugby caps, beanies & drawstring bags just £5 (usually from £12.99).
  22. The Collecterie 79 High St. Archivist very long matches (Usually £9).
  23. The Hogarth 58 Broad St. All main meals Monday to Friday lunchtimes are just £5.
  24. Vet4life 160 High St. Nail clipping for just £5 (usually £12).

The Spring #Fiverfest Fortnight from 15-30 March 2018

After a long, cold, dreary winter, we’re bringing you something a lot cheerier. The Totally Locally Teddington Spring #Fiverfest Fortnight starts on 15th March and lasts for a whole 2 weeks of super-saving £5 offers.
Whether it be gifts, food, wine, hair & beauty products, treatments, lunches, cocktails or mocktails, we have a wide selection and variety of £5 offers for you below.
Scroll the list below then wander around our #independent shops & snap up your favourite #Fiverfest £S offers whilst stocks last.

1of1 Design, 80 High St; Selection of leather cuffs, vintage brooch cards, bracelets & stud earrings just £5 each (usually £8-£10).

AG Miller, 152 Waldegrave Rd; Kilo of chicken fillets (usually £11.89).

Alter & Tweak, 76 Broad St; Re-hem of fabric ladies or gents trousers just £5 (doesn’t include denim).  

Card Collection, 39 High St; 2x 18″ helium filled foil balloons for £5 (usually £8).

Cavan Bakery, 25 High St; filled bap or sandwich, free bun and cold drink for just £5.
Cavan Bakery, 42 Broad St; filled bap or sandwich, free bun and cold drink for just £5.
Cavan Bakery, 111 Stanley Rd; filled bap or sandwich, free bun and cold drink for just £5.

Do Events, www.do-events.co.uk; 30 minute party or Wedding styling consultation – £5.

Douetil Holistic Therapies, 23a Broad St (Orange Tree Clinic); 15 min neck and shoulder massage just £5.

Dry Drinker, www.drydrinker.com; £5 off any order over £50 & free delivery using code ‘fiver-VIP’ for TW11 & TW12 addresses only.

Fallow Deer, 130 High St; 2 glasses of Montepulciano or Chenin Blanc wine for just £5.

Heirloom, 110 High St; 9 scented t-lights with t-light holder just £5. (usually £8.25) – limit 2 per person.  

Martha Pountain, 92 High St Hampton Wick; Fabulous selection of hair products for just £5. Usually > £10. To book or www.mphair.co.uk

Mary’s Living & Giving, 93 High St; Selected Stationery & fabulous nail varnishes just £5 each.  

NRG Fitness, 5 Metafit classes for £5 (usually £5 each) or one PT session (usually £15).

Pink & Blue, 212 Kingston Rd; Hair bows of all colours & small bottles of shampoo & conditioner just £5 each.

Richard Hair, 6 Broad St; All Boys & Gents cuts only £5 with Head Barber Sunny (new customers only). To book www.richardhair.co.uk

Shambles, 83 – 85 High St; Any delicious bowl of pasta – Tuesday to Friday 12 – 6pm just £5.

Simply Skin, 68b Broad St; New Dermalogica Night Cream 10ml (trial size) & a selection of new/top selling products just £5 each.

Stevens Tyres, 25 Church Rd; Wheel Balance just £5, normally £10.

Teddington Cheese, 42 Station Rd; Buy £8 of cheese & pay just £5. Cheeses included are Brie de Meaux & vintage Lincolnshire Poacher.

Teddington Osteopath, 146 Stanley Rd; Biofreeze gel 118ml, Aeroplast Hot/cold Pack or Gehwol Fusskraft Blau 125ml foot cream £5 each.  

Teddington Sports, 49 Broad St; Zoggs Super Hero Swim Floats just £5 (usually £14.99).

The Abercorn Arms, 76 – 78 Church Rd; Nacho’s with chilli con carne, Nacho’s with veggie chilli or sausage & mash just £5 each (usually £8.95).

The Collecterie, 79 High St; Archivist very long matches (Usually £9).

The Hogarth, 58 Broad St; Selection of fabulous cocktails for just £5.

Tipplesworth, 12 Church Rd; 2 cocktail mixers (bramble & raspberry mojito) for just £5 (usually £4.99 each).

Vet4life, 160 High St; Nail clipping for just £5 (usually £12).  

Teddington Lights Up 2017

The highly-anticipated annual Teddington Lights Up event, which always takes place on the last Thursday of November, this year falls on Thursday 30th November 2017.
Organised by Teddington Together, a committee of local traders, Teddington Lights Up will start at 4pm and end at 9pm.
More details of road closures and programme of events to follow as information is confirmed.
The video of last year’s Lights Up filmed by Alan Benns will give newcomers a good idea of the scale and festivity of this community celebration.

FiverFest Fortnight 15-30 September 2017

For all the lovely locals of Teddington & surrounding areas, thanks to the participation of these independent traders of Teddington, we’re delighted to put together yet another superb FiverFest Fortnight for you.

Scan the great range of £5 offers (only available for two weeks) to avoid missing out.  From food, meals, wine, cocktails and non-alcholic beverages to beauty treatments, homeware, gifts, scarves, fitness session, several services and more.  Maps & listings are available at all participating traders.

1 of 1 Design; 80 High Street; selection of Ipad Cases, Vintage China, Rings & Leather Bracelets just £5 each (usually £8-£10)  

AG Miller; 152 Waldegrave Rd; marinated pork steaks for just £5 (usually £11.99)

Alter & Tweak; 76 Broad St, Seam or Steam – Steam any garment or seams up to 5cm just £5.

Card Collection; 39 High St; 2 x 18″ Helium filled foil balloons for £5 (usually £7)

Cavan Bakery; 25 High St / 42 Broad St / 111 Stanley Rd; Lunch for £5.00 (any filled speciality bap, cold drink and a cake).

Do Events; www.do-events.co.uk; Party or Wedding planning / styling consultation only £5.  

Douetil Holistic Therapies; 23a Broad St (Orange Tree Clinic);  15 min neck/shoulder massage for £5 or handmade mini handbag Handcream just £5.

Dry Drinker; www.drydrinker.com; Free delivery using exclusive code “dry-VIP” for addresses in TW11 and TW12 only.  

The Fallow Deer; (which remains at 130 High St, hooray!) 2 small glasses of house wine or 2 house beers for just £5 – daytimes only.

Heirloom; 110 High St; 9 scented t-lights with t-light holder just £5 (usually £8.25) – limit 2 x p/person

Martha Pountain Hair; 92 High St Hampton Wick; Travel size Organic Oway products just £5 each (usually £8.50).

Mary’s Living & Giving; 93 High St; Ruby & Ed slippers or selection of scarves (normally £10+) for just £5  Available from 16th Sept onwards.

NRG Fitness; 0 (Nicola); 5 x Metafit classes for £5 (normally £5 each) or 1 x PT session at your home (usually £15) Call Nicola to book.

Ribs & Burgers; 4 Broad St; 1/2 rack of delicious pork ribs only £5 (usually £8.90)

Sam Jempson Fitness; 0 (Sam) 30 min personal training taster session. To book phone Sam on 0

Shambles; 83-85 High St; Any delicious bowl of pasta Tues-Fri lunch for £5.

Simply Skin; 68b Broad St; Threading for just £5 (usual threading prices – Facial from £7, Eyebrows £10, Lips £7) To book phone

Stella & Dot; 0 (Amy) Book a styling party with Amy @ Stella & Dot this September and receive a silver Stella & Dot bracelet for £5.  Phone to book.

Stevens Tyres; 25 Church Rd; Wheel balance £5 p/wheel (normally £10) Call

Teddington Cheese; 42 Station Rd; Buy £8 of cheese and pay just £5.  Cheeses included are Brie de Meaux and Cave aged Gruyere.

Teddington Sports; 226 Hampton Rd; Gilbert rugby “beach ball” just £5 (usually £9.99)

The Abercorn Arms; 76-78 Church Rd;  Lunch: Baguette/panini or wrap + homemade coleslaw + soft drink £5. Evenings: Any sharer plate just £5.

The Beauty Room; 95a High St (inside Shape Hair); £5 file & varnish (hands) or £5 eyebrow shape (less than 1/2 normal price) Call Hayley on to book

The Collecterie; 79 High St; Archivist very long matches (Usually £9)

The Hogarth; 58 Broad St; Selection of fabulous cocktails for just £5;

The Loft; 16 Broad St; Selection of beautiful scarves for £5 (usually £9-£10)

Tipplesworth; 12 Church Rd; Cocktail kits for only £5.  Choose for Rhubarb & ginger or Old-fashioned Collins (usually £15)

Vet 4 Life; 160 High St; Nail trim for just £5 (usually £12).  Pets only.

Tweet, share your favourite find or post on our Totally Locally Teddington Facebook page.  The traders love the feedback.

Last but not least, special printing & co-ordination thanks to HEIRLOOM and illustration thanks to RACHEL MORRIS ILLUSTRATION.

Ends.

Fiverfest Fortnight (Feb 2017)

Keeping love in the air long after Valentine’s, our annual February FiverFest is back, starting Wednesday 15th until Tuesday 28th February 2017.

From pampering to food, wine, gifts or homeware, the offers are an eclectic mix of firm favourites.  Grab a map from Heirloom or The Card Collection and explore Teddington to enjoy these great offers.   Special thanks to illustration by Rachel Morris Illustration and sponsor printing by Instant Creations. 

 

1 of 1 Design;  Selection of tablet cases, gloves, scarves, rings, vintage brooch cards for £5 each. 80 High St.

AG Miller Butchers; 1kg of minced lamb for £5 (usually £8.89) 152 Waldegrave Rd.

Card Collection;  2 x 18″ helium-filled balloons £5 (usually £7) 39 High St. 

Cavan Bakery; Lunch Offer for £5 – (any filled specialty bap, cold drink or crisps or cake)   25 High St –, 42 Broad St – , 111 Stanley Rd –.

Do Events;  Party or wedding planning, styling consultation. £5.  

Douetil Holistic Therapies;  15 mins neck / shoulder massage for £5.  , 23A Broad St (Orange Tree Clinic)

Dry Drinker; Free delivery using exclusive code “DRY-VIP” for addresses in TW11 and TW12 only.  

Elements; Selection of shampoos and conditioners for only £5 (usually £9) 57 High St

Fallow Deer; 2 small glasses of house wine or 2 house beers for just £5 – daytimes only.  130 High St

Heirloom; St Eval Cornish Candles, £5 each (usually £9.50) Due to the popularity of this offer, there is a limit 2 per person.  110 High St

Martha Pountain Hair; A selection of super Davines Hair products for £5 (usually £8 or more) 92 High St, Hampton Wick

Mary’s Living & Giving; Selection of 5 x cards, Dvd’s or paperback books for £5.  93 High St

Mela Mela Vintage:  A selection of vintage inspired headbands just £5.  74 High St

Shambles; Their ever-popular #Fiverfest offer of a Full English Breakfast is back at just £5, 83-85 High St

Sidra;Any wrap (served with home-made hommous & crisp green salad) & any Lebanese Savory Pastry (normally £6) 5 Church Rd

Simply Skin; Selection of £5 mini products or £5 skin solvers, 68b Broad St.

Teddington Cheese; Another firm #Fiverfest favourite.  Buy £8’s worth of cheese and pay just £5.  Cheeses included are Stilton & Puzzone (“Big Stink”).  42 Station Rd.

Teddington Sports; Great selection of Wacky Sox at just £5 (usually £9.99) 226 Hampton Road.

The Abercorn Arms; A bowl of home-made soup, any baguette, panini or wrap and a soft drink for just £5.  76-78 Church Rd.

The Beauty Room; £5 file & varnish (hands) or £5 eyebrow shape (less than 1/2 of usual price). 104 High St, c/o Shape Hair.

The Collecterie; Archivist very long matches (usually £9) 79 High St

The Loft; ‘I ♥ Teddington’ jute bag at just £5, usually £7.99.  16 Broad St.

The Park Hotel; Baguette, chips and a soft drink / tea / coffee for just £5.  19 Park Rd

Tipplesworth; Cocktail goodie bag – includes mini bottle of spirit of your choice (Chase vodka, Sipsmith gin, Blackdown vermouth or Woodford reserve bourbon) cocktail cherries in kirsch & a sugar syrup.  All for only £5 (usually £10).  12 Church Rd.

Woof Coffee; Late-lunch offer.  Coffee & sandwich for just £5 between 2-5pm (usually £8). 31 Broad St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fiverfest 14-22 October 2016

From £5 cocktails, wine, cheese, lunch deals, nail polishes, skin products, haircuts & hair treatments, to £5 homeware, beer and balloons….
Don’t miss the 32 great £5 Fiverfest offers from 14-22 October 2016 for 8 days only, while stocks last.

Print off your own map using link:  ff-map-oct-2016 ff-map-oct16_1

Fiverfest 14-22 October 2016

1of1 Design Brooch cards, vintage ties, hair accessories and rings Abercorn Arms Panini or baguette w/chips & salad + a soft drink for £5
AG Miller 1kg Finest quality minced beef for £5. Usually £7.89 per kg
Cancer Research UK 5 x £5 Bundle of children’s books. Usually £1.50 each.
Card Collection 2 x Helium-filled foil balloons (18”) Usually £7
Cavan Bakery £5 Lunch bag: filled bap, piece of cake & cold drink. Usually £6.50
Collecterie Archivist very long matches, Usually £9
Do Events £5 offer on Party Planning /Styling Consultation & Insider Tips

Douetil Holistic Therapies c/o Orange Tree Clinic, Broad Street.  15min neck/shoulder aromatherapy massage or handmade Aromatherapy hand-cream £5. Call Bernadette to book 0

Dry Drinker Free delivery using a exclusive code “Dry-VIP” when ordering online for addresses in TW11 & TW12 http://www.drydrinker.com
Elements In-salon hair treatment for £5 when having any other service. Usually £15
Fallow Deer 2 x Medium glasses of house red, white or rose wine for £5. OR two bottles of lager for £5
Fun Factory Witches Caldron containing Halloween treats including balloons, sweets & a pumpkin carving kit for £5 (worth £10) while stocks last
Heirloom Much-loved Fiverfest deal: St Eval scented candles each £5 Usually £9.25 (limited quantity per person)
Hogarth Pub Your choice of cocktail for £5 (Espresso martini, Mojito, Caiprinha, Dark and stormy or Long Island iced tea) Usually £7.50
House Cats London “Polish On Manicure” OPI colour of your choice for £5. Usually £9
La Casa Del Habano Neahaus chocolates OR selected chocolate bars
London Health Foods Nature’s Own Vegan D3 2500iu usually £6.75 OR Cherry C 200mg usually £8.05
Mela Mela Selection of vintage accessories for £5
Mini Me Mini U hair product and bath product for £5. Usually £8.99
Park Hotel Lunch deal: Your choice of baguette, chips & soft drink for £5
Richard Hair Boys & Gents cuts for £5. For NEW customers only and only with RH’s Head Barber, Sunny Powar
Shambles 2 x Glasses of Prosecco for £5, Usually £13
Simply Skin Selection £5 products, a £5 skin analysis with their skin scanner OR a super stylish and practical TLT canvas bag
Steven’s Tyres Wheel balancing at only £5 per wheel
Teddington Cheese Delicious scooping Gorgonzola for £5 usually £8
Teddington Sports Optimum size 3, 4 & 5 Rugby balls. usually £9.99
The Beauty Room (above Shape Hair on High Street) £5 file & varnish (hands) OR £5 eyebrow shape. Book on
Tipplesworth Cocktail Goody Bag: includes mini bottle of spirit of your choice (either Chase Vodka, Sipsmith Gin or Woodford Reserve Bourbon), cocktail cherries in kirsch and a mixer. Normally valued at £10
Vet 4 Life “Paw-di-cure” £5 nail clip for canine friends. Usually £12
Via £5 Special offer – Please ask in store. (No info at time of printing).
Woof Coffee Lunch special: Salad and a cup of coffee for £5

PDF of full listing available for you to print here fiverfest-list-oct-2016

Thanks again to Rachel, a local illustrator for our beautifully drawn map. http://www.rachelillustration.co.uk and to Mark at a local design & print agency for printing copies of the map http://www.instantcreations.com

Disclaimer bit: Totally Locally Teddington is not an official body. We are a couple of people just trying to do nice things for our town. So we can’t guarantee these offers and they are only while stocks last. Terms & conditions apply to all offers from individual shops, but to be honest, if there was a problem, have a word with the friendly shopkeepers and they will sort you out with something great. Because that’s what this is all about.
Thank you.. The Totally Locally Team.

AMAZING APRIL DRAW 2016

From Saturday 16th – 30th April 2016, for every purchase of £5 or more in one of the participating traders listed below makes you eligible to enter the prize* draw. Hang on to the draw tickets you are given with your purchase for proof of purchase.
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The more you shop locally, the better your chances are of winning! There will be £340 of local shop vouchers* to win and spend in your lovely local high street!
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1st prize: £180 worth of vouchers. 2nd prize: £100. 3rd prize: £60
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Participating traders (who will also be supplying prize vouchers):
Abercorn Arms
AG Millers Butchers
Card Collection
Cavan Bakery (any of Teddington’s three branches)
Fallow Deer
Fun Factory
Gardenia
Heirloom
1 of 1 Design
Let’s Grow Wild
Mitzi B
Nova Fortuny
Pristine Dry Cleaners
Shambles Restaurant
Simply Skin
Teddington Osteopath
Vet4Life

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Keep an eye-out for the posters in shop windows that will indicate that money spent within will increase your chances of winning. Who doesn’t like a shopping spree? Well how about helping to support your local independent traders by going on one with the chance of winning a huge free one!
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Small print and/or boring stuff:
The Prize Draw will be held on Tuesday 5th May 2016, 6:30pm at Shambles.

Prize amounts will consist of £20 vouchers from the participating 17 traders (listed above). Email addresses are collected on ticket stubs so that we can contact the winners. So basically, fear not, we would never pass on your details to anyone and ticket stubbs will be destroyed in a proper manner which may or may not involved an army of Russian Hamsters.
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Totally Locally Teddington is not an official body. We are a group of people just trying to do nice things for our town. So we can’t guarantee prize vouchers* and tickets are only while stocks last. Terms & Conditions apply to the voucher prizes from the individual shops, but to be honest, if there was a problem, have a word with the friendly shopkeepers and they will sort you out with something great. Because that’s what this is all about. Thank you. The Totally Locally Teddington Team.

FIVER FEST FORTNIGHT (2016 FEB) OFFERS

The February Fiver Fest will be taking place from Monday 15th until Sunday 28th February 2016.

The offers are an eclectic mix of firm favourites and some new and interesting experiences. Grab a map from 1of1 Design, Fun Factory or The Card Collection and explore the town to find your favourite bargains!

1 of 1 design – Various offers to include: earrings , brooch cards, packs of mixed greetings cards, scarves, stamps for kids.
A G Miller – A kilo of pork steaks usually £10.89 per kg.
Abercorn Arms – Panini/sandwich/wrap + chips, salad & soft drink Just £5. Tuesday to Saturday 12-3pm.
Card Collection – 2 x 18″ helium filled foil balloons for £5 (usually £7).
Cavan Bakery – Lunchbag filled with filled bap, cake & a cold drink.
Divine at No 12 – Vase of spring flowers & 10% off voucher for workshop bookings.
Douetil Holistic Therapies – 20min Aromatherapy neck & shoulder massage at Douetil Holistic Therapies, Orange Tree Clinic, Broad Street.
Dry Drinker – £5 off the delivery cost – to receive offer enter Dev-vip on the checkout page when ordering. See www.drydrinker.com.
Elements – Choose from a selection of premium brand hair products.
Fallow Deer – 2 small glasses of house wine.
Fun Factory – £10 Helium filled latex balloon vouchers for just £5 whilst stocks last.  Valid 6 months from date of purchase. One voucher per customer.
Gardenia – Two bunches of beautiful scented narcissus.
Heirloom – St Eval tinned candles (seasalt, grapefruit & lime, bay & rosemary, tranquility) usually £9.50.
Itabashi – 3 lunchtime specials available: 3 pieces of Salmon Nigiri and 3 pie sea of Salmon Sashimi OR Tonkatsu, rice and Miso soup OR Green tea cake and coffee.
Mela Mela – Assorted vintage jewellery.
Mini Me – Mini U hair & bath products.
Sam J Fitness – 30 min personal training taster session. (Must be booked by 1st Mar 16). See www.samjfitness.co.uk.
Shambles – Full English breakfast – including 98% Italian pork sausage.
Simply Skin – Add a 15 min touch therapy to any facial (including a scalp massage & revitalising foot treatment). Also selection of Dermalogica products.
Stevens Tyres – Wheel balance – usually £7.50 to £10.
Teddington cheese – Buy £8 of cheese & pay just £5. Cheeses included are Worcester Blue & Old Winchester.
Teddington Osteopaths – Biofreeze Gel 118ml, Aeroplast Hotcold pack (re-usable) or Gehwol Fusskraft Blau 125ml foot cream – all £5 each.
Teddington Sports – County Cricket socks usually £8.95.
The Loft – Dog print scarf available in 3 colourways.

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Offers map (click to enlarge):

Disclaimer bit: Totally Locally Teddington is not an official body. We are a group of people just trying to do nice things for our town. So we can’t guarantee these offers and they are only while stocks last. Terms & conditions apply to all offers from individual shops, but to be honest, if there was a problem, have a word with the friendly shopkeepers and they will sort you out with something great. Because that’s what this is all about. Thank you.. The Totally Locally Team.

Tasty Teddington

In an area of South West London, packed with countless gastronomic experiences, there is one very simple answer to the question: Where shall we eat out tonight? The answer, of course, is Teddington.

However, once you get here, you will be faced with the wonderfully delicious dilemma of where exactly you should choose as the town, from Church Road and Broad Street, to the High Street and the riverside, is crammed with cafes, bakeries, delis and restaurants offering an eclectic range of delights.

If you are after a fine-dining experience, then head to Retro, 2012 winner of the Good Food Guide London Restaurant of the Year award and owner of two AA Red Rosettes and two Michelin Forks. Accolades aside, this modern French eatery, presided over by the flamboyant Vincent Gerbeau, with head chef François Fayd’Herbe de Maudave in the kitchen, offers up sophisticated dishes at an affordable level. The service is always excellent, the menu varied and the soufflé to die for.

If you would like to head a little further south, gastronomically I mean, then Canta Napoli is the destination for you. This Italian restaurant, established in 2010, imports many of its ingredients directly from Italy and prides itself of offering authentic flavours of the mother country. It is great for relaxed family occasions and there are tons of events with real Italian flavour, from regional evenings to experience different flavours of the country, to Tuesday Tombolotto, a game based on tombola, which is played in family homes on New Year’s Eve. With fresh, creamy mozzarella, juicy buffalo steaks, as well as pasta and seafood, there is something for everyone here.

If you’re in a rush and need a quick fix to fill that gaping hungry hole, there’s no better place to stop that one of the three Cavan Bakery branches, whose tasty morsels have caused many dieters to fall off the wagon. Founded in 1929, it is still very much a family business (now on its third generation), which prides itself on tradition, good quality ingredients and baking skill. You might be a sucker for a jam doughnut (I know I am) or a soft, white bloomer, or one of the many breads, cakes and sandwiches on offer. Personally I find it hard to walk past without buying a Chelsea bun. Sweet or savoury, forget the diet and pop in for a treat.

Feeling a vintage vibe coming on? There’s no better place to head than the Fallow Deer. When this hugely popular eatery opened back in 2013 it had a tiny location opposite that unwelcome American giant Starbucks. Undaunted in what was clearly a David and Goliath situation, the Fallow Deer merely popped a sign outside offering customers “more Star, less Bucks”. With its mismatched crockery, quirky music but undoubtedly delicious dishes, it came as no surprise that new, larger premises had to be found further down the high street.

Since then it has evolved to include an alcohol licence, cocktail evenings every Friday and a supper club every other Saturday. It serves brilliant breakfasts (I LOVE the Eggs Royale), which also can come with a spicy Bloody Mary or Bucks Fizz, luscious lunches and where possible use local suppliers, like the butchers AG Miller. There are cakes baked on site and numerous gluten-free options, too. Only recently, Status Quo star Rick Parfitt Jr was found on Twitter extolling its virtues, one customer among many it has to be said. Entering is like going into a time tunnel; you’ll sit there, munch and drink your way through the menu and emerge bleary-eyed into the street, wondering how on earth you have managed to spend so much time there. And the answer? Try it and see; it’s remarkably easy.

Finally, there’s no greater gastronomic doyenne in Teddington than Shambles Bar and Restaurant. It is cosy and welcoming in winter and in summer guests can retreat to its secluded, wisteria-hung patio garden and imagine themselves well and truly in Italy. For more than 30 years, this family-fun restaurant has been serving up Italian food, with a modern twist, but firmly rooted in authentic Italian tradition. The pasta is made freshly every day and Shambles also has its own kitchen garden, from which, in summer, Chef Massimo uses herbs, fruit and vegetables. You can choose from a selection of cicchetti (or little eats) if you are feeling only a little peckish or go the whole hog with one of the primi piatti (pastas – I always have pasta ribbons with wild mushrooms) and secondi piatti (mains) that include delights such as slow cooked venison with buckwheat polenta or sea salt-baked sea bream. There is also a bar menu, with salads and ciabatta, a brunch menu and a selection of desserts that will have you seriously considering elasticated waistbands. Shambles is a seriously sophisticated slice of Italian cuisine on your doorstep.

Photos: Caroline Jones Photography.

Beat the 5p bag charge, save the planet!

England has become the last country in the UK to charge 5p for plastic bags when shopping at larger shops. Why? A whopping 7.64 billion plastic bags were handed out to shoppers in England in 2014, most of which end up in land-fill but also some escape into hedges, trees, taking hundreds of years to break down.. looking unsightly and ultimately damaging our wildlife, seas and coastline.

By charging for these, the government predict a 80% reduction from supermarkets and 50% on high streets leading to litter clean-up cost and carbon savings. Shoppers are encouraged to instead re-use plastic bags and/or bring their own bags to fill with goods.

So that’s the bad news out of the way, how about the good news? You can buy re-usable Totally Locally Teddington bags at local shops Gardenia, Heirloom, Card Collection and Simply Skin for £5.

They are versatile enough to hold a lot of paper/cardboard/glass etc to transport to a recycling centre on your travels, then strong enough to carry lots of shopping (tested 4 x 2 litre bottles or lots of misc items).

They’re also a great way to show that you support your high street and the Totally Locally campaign.

If you have a TL bag and are travelling abroad, take a snap of the bag and send it to us, we’re collating a map to see how far they travel! (click for full map).

Photo montage of Teddington