Photographer jailed for 11 years after sexually assaulting an unconscious woman
A photographer who sexually assaulted a former client has been jailed for 11 years. Sritharan Sayanthan, 42, was found guilty…
M&S to ‘review future’ on Oxford Street following Gove decision to refuse redevelopment
M&S has said it will ‘review its future’ on Oxford Street after it was refused permission to redevelop its flagship…
Breaking: Marks and Spencer Oxford Street redevelopment blocked by Michael Gove
Marks and Spencer’s proposed redevelopment of their flagship Marble Arch store has been blocked by Michael Gove. The Secretary of…
Trisha’s hangs on to its premises licence after owner takes a step back
An iconic Soho club has held on to its premises licence after multiple complaints led to it being reviewed. The…
Tenant found guilty of three counts of fraud after lying to obtain a social home
A man has been found guilty of three counts of fraud after dishonestly obtaining a social home. The tenant purchased…
Le Pain Quotidien closes nearly all London cafes after crashing into administration
Le Pain Quotidien has closed all bar one of its London cafes after falling into administration last week. The Belgian…
MCC apologise to Cricket Australia following Lord’s incident, as footage shows players being heckled
Three members of the Marylebone Cricket Club were suspended for ‘completely unacceptable behaviour’ after yesterday’s Ashes Test. Spectators clashed with…
Westminster Full Council: Public to be able to ask questions to councillors for first time – Live
Live updates of Westminster’s full council meeting with residents to put questions to councillors for the first time
Civil service intervened to help accommodate asylum seekers left sleeping rough
Asylum seekers left sleeping rough for several nights were accommodated following an intervention from civil servants, Westminster Council’s chief executive…
Paddington stabbing: Victim named and teenager charged with murder of 17-year-old boy
A teenager has been charged with the stabbing of a 17-year-old boy in Paddington. The suspect, aged 16, was arrested…
Nickie Aiken: Westminster MP supports motion approving Boris Johnson report
Nickie Aiken was one of over a hundred Conservatives to vote in support the Privileges’ Committee report into former PM…
Police investigation launched after 17-year-old dies in Paddington stabbing
An investigation has been launched after a stabbing in Paddington this afternoon. Police were called to a 17-year-old boy with…
“If there’s no risk to life…we’re not coming”, Met superintendent says
A Metropolitan Police superintendent has said that officers need to prioritise resources on most serious cases. Superintendent Beth Pirie also…
Watch: Firefighters tackle fire at six-storey building on Baker Street
Firefighters tackled a roof fire at a six-storey building on Baker Street last night. Emergency services were called at around…
Much loved hidden Marylebone garden to be excavated for freeholder development
A “much loved” garden in Marylebone is under threat from plans to build a new private GP practice. The hidden…
Low Covid vaccine take-up in Westminster was due to incorrect population figures, says report
The low take-up for the Covid vaccine in Westminster was in part due to modelling overstating the population and incorrect…
Migrants sleeping outside Pimlico hotel given 24 hours to accept shared beds or face deportation
The asylum seekers were offered rooms at a 3 star hotel taken over by the government for the purpose, and…
Public lawns to be left unmowed to encourage biodiversity
Public lawns in Westminster will continue to be unmowed in order to encourage biodiversity within the city. Westminster Council has…
Residents rail against repeated Lancaster Gate station closures
Residents have vented frustration at repeated weekend closures of Lancaster Gate Station. A new petition launched by local councillor Ellie…
Patricia McAllister elected as Lord Mayor of Westminster
Patricia McAllister has been elected as Lord Mayor of Westminster for the coming year. Cllr McAllister, who has represented Queen’s…
Patricia McAllister elected as Lord Mayor of Westminster – as it happened
Live coverage of the annual meeting of Westminster City Council as councillors elect the Lord Mayor for the coming year.
Mother whose daughter was knocked unconscious during Coronation weekend accuses Met of ‘lacklustre response’
A former Met Police detective whose daughter sustained brain injury after being attacked in Soho on the night council volunteers…
Collection of military medals ‘left or stolen’ during Coronation in Hyde Park
A collection of medals belonging to a military person were either lost or stolen near Hyde Park during Saturday’s Coronation.…
The Mayfair street where protests never seem to end – even with police dispersal orders
For residents on a street in Mayfair peace and respite have become almost impossible to come by, with continuous protests…
Questions for the Met after Westminster volunteers arrested before Coronation
Fresh questions have been raised to the Met Police after several council volunteers were arrested in the early hours of…
Final preparations underway for King’s Coronation – map of events
Final preparations are underway ahead of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday. Westminster…
Government needs to go after owners of candy stores and souvenir shops on Oxford Street, Council Leader says
The issue of candy stores and souvenir shops on Oxford Street will only be solved if the government plays its…
HMV to replace large candy store in Oxford Street comeback
HMV is to return to Oxford Street after a four year absence, replacing one of the districts largest candy stores…
New dockless bike spaces to be installed by July, council cabinet member says
Users of dockless bikes will soon be banned from using them in on certain streets and will have to park…
Paparazzi dogs that have travelled the world to sniff their way to Paddington
A quartet of ‘paparazzi dogs’ that have travelled the world are sniffing up Paddington as their next destination. The dogmen,…
Man jailed for manslaughter of banking executive Paul Mason following retrial
A man has been jailed for the manslaughter of millionaire City executive Paul Mason following a retrial. Steven Allan, 35,…
Man who lost one leg to cancer to take on London Marathon
A man from Berkshire who has lost his right leg to cancer will take on the London Marathon this weekend.…
Scammer uses parking app to illegally rent out spaces belonging to residents near Regents Park
A scammer has used a parking app to illegally rent out dozens of spaces around a garden square near Regents…
Council to auction off old London street signs dating from 1950s
Westminster Council is auctioning off a collection of 1950s and 60s street signs taken down from London’s most iconic roads.…
School streets made permanent with three more to be rolled out each year
School streets have been made permanent in Westminster following a trial period, with up to five more to be rolled…
First artisan cafe on Regent Street opens showcasing student art
Regent Street’s first ever artisan cafe has opened today next to the University of Westminster, with displays of student art…
New date and location announced for former RAF Flight Sergeant Peter Brown’s funeral
Peter Brown’s funeral will now be held at the end of May in a 600 seat venue in Westminster, the…
Council fined for “severe maladminstration” after four month baby left in mouldy flat for two years
Westminster Council has been found responsible for ‘severe maladministration’ after a mother and baby were left in a mouldy flat…
Pimlico drop in to help residents claim support for energy bills
Residents in Pimlico who haven’t claimed their support for their energy bills will be able to do so at a…
Yoga in the woods? Now you can…at a gym in Pimlico
If you have ever imagined doing a yoga pose in the forest or Zumba in the desert, soon you will…
New e-cargo bike scheme launched allowing residents to carry items
An e-cargo bike sharing scheme has been launched in Westminster as part of a wider £35 million investment in travel…
Incense stick sets flat on fire in Maida Vale
A flat in Maida Vale was set on fire by an incense stick left unattended. Firefighters rushed to a four…
Three drug traffickers in jail for running Class A network
Three drug traffickers have been jailed for running a network distributing illegal substances across Westminster. Saed Gutale, Lloyd Brown and…
Peter Brown: Funeral for RAF flight sergeant rescheduled after overwhelming interest
The funeral for late flight sergeant Peter Brown has been rescheduled due to an overwhelming response which significantly outnumbered the…
“Heartwarming and overwhelming” response to call out for former Royal Air Force veteran
A call out for relatives of a late former Royal Air Force who lived in Maida Vale has been met…
Firefighters tackle blaze at Paddington hotel
Seventy firefighters tackled a fire at a hotel in Paddington on Thursday late afternoon. The fire brigade was called to…
London Zoo releases collection of old maps showing original designs
London Zoo has released a series of old maps including the park’s original designs in 1826. The collection of maps,…
Westminster parking suspension rules to change from September
Parking suspension rules in Westminster are set to undergo changes later this year. From September, charges for blocking of a…
Ramadan lights illuminate Piccadilly Circus for the first time
Piccadilly Circus was illuminated by Ramadan lights for the first time ever on Tuesday night. Over 30,000 lights were switched…
Pedicabs issued fines as council leader vows to ‘take the wheels off’ racket
West End pedicabs have been issued with fines for playing overly loud music late at night. Prosecution against four riders…
Live: London Deputy Mayor grants permission for 39-storey tower on site of former Paddington Green Met HQ
Live coverage of the public hearing of the proposed development for the site of former Paddington Green Met HQ. Image:…
What are council members’ allowances and why have they gone up?
Council members’ allowances in Westminster have become the subject of fierce debate and an unexpected flash point following the local…
Former BFI controller and Soho Society honorary president Leslie Hardcastle dies aged 96
Leslie Hardcastle OBE, former Controller of the British Film Institute, Honorary President of the Soho Society and founder of Soho…
West End councillor faces calls to stand down after being chosen as Labour parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth
A West End councillor is facing calls to stand aside after being selected as Labour’s candidate for parliament in Bournemouth.…
Council live: Councillors to approve budget
Full coverage of tonight’s full meeting of Westminster Council including approval of the annual budget.
Oxford Street District: Senior officials voiced concerns over project, report says
Senior officials expressed concerns over the direction of the Oxford Street District programme including the Marble Arch Mound, a new…
Man in his 20s in hospital after ‘trying to fight people’ and ‘behaving erratically’ in Mayfair gym
A man is in hospital with head injuries after trying to fight people in a Mayfair gym. Police were called…
Council denies plans for possible Hyde Park Estate LTN
Council bosses have denied plans for a possible LTN in the Hyde Park Estate area. Speculation that a new Low…
New hotline to be set up for residents to report empty homes
Residents will be able to report empty homes in Westminster on a new dedicated hotline, the council has announced. The…
Councillors oppose new proposals for 39-storey tower block on site of former Met HQ
Proposals for a 39-storey block of flats on the site of the former Paddington Green Police Station have been opposed…
Mother leads initiative to develop first accessible playgrounds in the UK
A campaign to make playgrounds accessible for children with special needs could see a flagship site built in Westminster. Mother…
New £1 million rent support fund launched to help tenants through Cost-of-Living crisis
A new rent support fund has been launched to support social home renters in Westminster through the current cost-of-living crisis.…
Ebury Bridge: Residents vote overwhelmingly in favour of new housing regeneration
Ebury Bridge residents have voted by a huge majority in favour of the redevelopment of the estate, including over 170…
Section of Bayswater Road renamed Kyiv Road to mark first anniversary of war
Part of Bayswater Road has been renamed Kyiv Road to honour the ‘struggle of embattled nation’ on the first anniversary…
Unique fashion worth £70,000 stolen from designer in Belgravia
Unique fashion pieces worth £70,000 were robbed from a designer in Belgravia following a shoot last week. Sixty two garments…
Increase fines for abandoned dockless bikes, Council says
People who abandon dockless bikes should receive harsher fines, Westminster Council has said. Bike rental firms have been urged by…
M&S Oxford Street redevelopment: What next?
The M&S Oxford Street redevelopment saga has become something of a basket case. Swish new architectural grandeur in place of…
L’Escargot Soho future in doubt following landlord eviction
The future of London’s oldest French restaurant has been thrown into doubt after its lights suddenly went out this week.…
Attack on Conservative Party association HQ was a ‘criminal act’ says MP
An attack on a Conservative Party HQ was a deliberate criminal act, the party’s local MP and Deputy Chairman has…
Labour councillor puts name forward to be candidate for Bournemouth MP
A Labour councillor has put her name forward to be selected as the party’s parliamentary candidate in Bournemouth. Jessica Toale,…
Court upholds £8000 fine for operating unlicensed HMO property
A property firm has lost its appeal against the Council after it challenged a fine for renting a HMO without…
Ebury Bridge renewal branded as “crushing disappointment” for renters
The Ebury Bridge renewal has been labelled a “crushing disappointment” for renters due to a lack of housing provision for…
Arrest made after man, 29, in hospital following assault in Soho
An arrest has been made after a man, 29, was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries following a fight…
Fitzrovia to get new cycle route on Cleveland Street
Fitzrovia is to get a brand new segregated cycleway on Cleveland Street. The new route will stretch nearly a quarter…
Westminster is officially the smelliest place in London (and the UK)
Westminster has been crowned London’s smelliest borough, according to a new study. Jokes aside, an investigation revealed that Westminster had…
Norfolk Crescent: Woman in hospital after being found unresponsive
A woman is in hospital after being found unresponsive on Norfolk Crescent in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police…
Man dies after being crushed by urinal at Cambridge Circus
A man has died after getting crushed while working on a telescopic urinal at Cambridge Circus. Police confirm the worker…
Fire destroys 175-year-old church in St John’s Wood
A major fire has destroyed a 175-year-old church in St John’s Wood. Firefighters from Kensington, Paddington and West Hampstead rushed…
“A PR car crash”: Residents voice concerns over soil contamination on Torridon House car park site as council refuses another investigation
Residents voiced their concerns over the development of the Torridon House car park near Randolph Gardens, as council attempts to…
Bus carrying passengers catches fire on Baker Street
Passengers were evacuated off a double decker bus which caught fire this afternoon while travelling down Baker Street. The bus,…
Vanity Bar and Nightclub: Soho strip bar hangs on to licence despite claims of “deliberately intoxicating” customers
Vanity Bar and Nightclub in Soho has held on to its premises licence after councillors heard that its customers had…
I Camisa and Son avoids closure after signing new 2 year lease
I Camisa and Son has been saved from closure after it signed a new lease allowing it to stay open…
Anti pee paint to be used on Soho Streets is already a hit in other cities
The anti pee paint to be used by the council on Soho’s streets to deter revellers is already used in…
Horror as guests flee Mayfair restaurant as Christmas decorations catch fire
Guests fled a fire at a popular Mayfair restaurant last night as Christmas decorations caught ablaze. Video footage shows patrons…
Firefighters rescue residents inhaling smoke from Maida Vale flat fire
Firefighters rescued residents using escape hoods from a flat fire in Maida Vale early this morning. Nine people were assessed…
Westminster is the phone theft centre of London
Your phone is most likely to be snatched in Westminster than anywhere else in London, according to Met statistics. Westminster…
Piccadilly underpass could close to traffic without urgent safety measures to tackle fire risk, says report
The Piccadilly Underpass may have to close without “urgent measures” due to concerns over fire safety, a new report says.…
Rail strikes: what will this week’s disruption look like?
Rail strikes are scheduled to take place across the national network this week, as drivers continue their long running dispute…
Council guarantees free lunches for primary school children from January
Primary school children will receive free school meals from January, in plans unveiled by the Council on Wednesday. All children…
Lisson Grove stabbing: two men arrested following police investigation
Police have arrested two men following the death of 21-year-old after a stabbing in Lisson Grove last week. Two teenage…
Oxford Street: Candy stores may be down, but empty shops are up
Oxford Street’s candy trade may have turned sour, but more stores than ever remain empty. As of the end of…
Police launch murder investigation after man stabbed in Lisson Grove
A murder investigation has been launched by the police after two men were found stabbed in Lisson Grove. Officers attended…
“It made my skin crawl” The serviced apartments in Paddington with RATS, filthy carpets and mouldy showers
A Paddington apartment was labelled “disgusting” and “unsafe” after rats were spotted in the hallway and bare wires were left…
Chancellor’s Autumn Statement: West End businesses call for return of tax free shopping
West End businesses have called on the Chancellor to reinstate tax free shopping ahead of tomorrow’s autumn fiscal statement. Organisations…
Resident raises money to make Christmas totes for the homeless
A Westminster resident is raising money to make up totes for the London’s homeless this Christmas. Maria Martinez, organiser of…
Oxford Street District project to be reviewed by former Camden boss
The Oxford Street District project is to be subject to a new independent review conducted by the former Chief Executive…
Mouse droppings and mouldy crème fraîche found in Fitzrovia bakery
Mouse droppings and mouldy crème fraîche were discovered in a neighbourhood bakery in Fitzrovia. Peyton and Byrne bakeries on Great…
Westminster city council – live
Council leader Adam Hug to table motion to end dirty money after facing questions from opposition leader Rachael Robathan
Her Majesty the Queen: Westminster mourns the passing of 96-year-old monarch
The Lord Mayor of Westminster and the council leader both paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen. A statement on…
Cabinet minister brands new Paddington block “dreadful excrescence”
A Cabinet minister has labelled the new Paddington Square development as a “dreadful excrescence” as it nears its completion. Kit…
London enters first ever Met Office Red warning for extreme heat as temperatures could exceed 40°c
London is braced for two extremely hot days on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures possibly reaching over 40°c for the…
Nickie Aiken: Two Cities MP withdraws support for Boris Johnson
The MP for the Cities of London and Westminster has withdrawn her support for the Prime Minister. In a letter…
M&S hits back at Gove for “political grandstanding” over delay to Marble Arch redevelopment decision
Marks and Spencer accused Michael Gove of “grandstanding” after he announced the Marble Arch redevelopment would be subject to a…
Rail strikes: Widespread disruption expected from tomorrow on Tube and National Rail
Widespread disruption is expected on both the Tube and National Rail network from tomorrow as RMT strikes are set to…
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Map of celebrations in Westminster
Thousands are getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. As well as the…
Nickie Aiken: Westminster MP calls on Boris Johnson to call vote of no confidence to “end speculation”
The MP for the Cities of London and Westminster has called on Boris Johnson to call a vote of no…
Bird spikes to be removed from trees after animal welfare backlash
Bird spikes will be removed from trees in Westminster, following a backlash from animal welfare groups. The use of the…
Elizabeth Line: Crossrail in pictures
On Tuesday, the long awaited and much delayed central section of the Elizabeth Line started operating. Less than two weeks…
Hamza Taouzzale selected as new Lord Mayor of Westminster
Westminster will have its first BAME and Muslim Lord Mayor, to be elected in session next week. Councillor Hamza Taouzzale,…
New Westminster council cabinet unveiled
The council leader elect has revealed his prospective cabinet for the new Labour run Westminster City Council. The appointment of…
What does the new council look like? Local election results in full
Last week Labour took over Westminster Council in its first victory here since the local authority was created. In an…
Labour wins Westminster Council
Labour have taken control of Westminster Council as local election results saw the borough change hands for the first time…
Local election results as Labour win Westminster Council – live
Live updates as votes are counted in Westminster and all London boroughs. St James – CON Hold x3 Regent’s Park…
Council elections: Poll shows Westminster as “too close to call”
Live updates as Westminster heads to the polls in local elections.
Crossrail: Elizabeth line services to begin on May 24
Crossrail services on the Elizabeth line will start operating on May 24, TfL has announced. Trains will run 12 times…
Local elections: New poll suggests Conservatives on course to lose Westminster Council
The Conservatives are set to lose control of Westminster Council at Thursday’s local elections, according to a new poll. An…
Labour election candidate criticised for photo showing gesture towards war memorial
A Labour election candidate faced criticism over a photo she shared appearing to show her disrespecting war memorial. Iman Less,…
Soho streets cordoned off as Police deal with gas leak
Several roads in Soho were cordoned off by police earlier today in order to deal with a gas leak on…
Marylebone pub gets lowest hygiene rating after mouse droppings found in the kitchen
A pub in Marylebone was given a food hygiene rating of zero after inspectors found mouse droppings on the premises.…
Council says site next to Queen Mother Sports Centre has “strategic potential”
The Council has said that its purchase of the site next to the Queen Mother Sports Centre was for an…
Westminster Bridge attack: City marks five years since terror incident
Today marked five years since the terror attack on Westminster Bridge in March 2017. Politicians and members of the emergency…
Council faces long-term financial instability as Covid impact cuts income by £20 million
Covid 19 has seen council income slashed by £20 million against pre pandemic levels, according a report. The document produced…
“We are absolutely full” Proposals for 800-bed student block meet widespread criticism as council rejects Paddington development
Proposals to build a student block near Paddington Basin were met with almost universal condemnation as they were rejected by…
Council budget: Labour labels Westminster as “Putin’s piggybank” as Tories defend low tax and high satisfaction
Labour councillors lined up to criticise the council budget over cuts to adult social services, parking charge increases and lack…
Nickie Aiken: PM must “face the consequences” if he broke the law
Nickie Aiken has hinted that she would call on Boris Johnson to resign if he was found to have broken…
Johnson’s rebels are getting broader by the day
Well it didn’t take too long. Only 37 months after Tory MPs last turned on their leader, we’re discussing the…
Why essay mills pose more of a threat to education than plagiarism
Rule abiders and hard workers look away. For the 96% of students who play by the rules, essays mean spending…
Police searching for man in relation to alleged rape in Soho
Police are looking for a man in relation to an alleged rape of a woman in Soho. Michael Lawson, 55,…