News

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 on two counts of rape of a woman in her 30s who he assaulted while she was partly unconscious. The owner of a photographic studio in Fitzrovia encouraged his victim to get drunk on alcohol…
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 store. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove dramatically blocked the retailers plans to tear down its Marble Arch store, over concerns it would distract from the neighbouring Selfridges building. The retailer had previously threatened to leave…
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 State has decided to refuse plans to demolish the current store on the basis that it would have a ‘significantly detrimental impact’ on the neighbouring Selfridges façade. Plans to tear down the three current buildings…
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 New Evaristo Club, formerly Trisha’s, on Greek Street will stay open after councillors opted to suspend its licence while new measures are put in place including staff training and ID scanning. A report from 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 a council flat in 2015 with a £100k discount, despite already renting a home in Barnet, Southwark Crown Court heard. It also emerged that the man had sub-let the flat between 2013 and 2014, while…
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 chain shuttered all eight of its sites in the capital including five across Westminster. The brand operated coffee shops in Covent Garden, Pimlico, Marylebone, Mayfair and the Connaught Village. A sign on the door of…
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 the Australian players in the club’s Long Room during the break for lunch. Footage also emerged of players being heckled as they returned to the dressing room, with some members repeatedly shouting ‘cheat’ and ‘get…
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 confirmed. Stuart Love told councillors that the situation had arisen because of a ‘change in policy’ on the part of the Home Office to allocate more immigrants per room in order to use up less…
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 on Wednesday and will appear at a court in Highbury on Thursday. Two other teenage boys were also arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident which occurred on Monday in St Mary’s…
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 Boris Johnson. Ms Aiken, who was elected in 2019 as the MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, joined 117 of her Conservative colleagues in the lobby to approve the committee’s findings that the…
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 stab wounds in St Mary’s Churchyard next to Paddington Green at 1.41pm. The teenager was pronounced dead at 2.15pm. Paramedics and air ambulance also attended the scene on Monday afternoon, and the next of kin…
“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 told councillors on Thursday evening that police could no longer attend to less serious cases which did not involve a risk of violence or to life. She said: “I’m aware of incidents where ambulances will…
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 6pm on Tuesday to a group of terrace houses between George Street and Blandford Street where smoke was billowing from the roof. Over 80 firefighters and twelve fire engines attended the blaze from stations including…
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 green gem just off Harley Street is slated for development after proposals were submitted by the private garden’s freeholder, the Howard De Walden Estate (HDWE), to turn the land into a space to be used…
Iconic Soho club could soon close thanks to neighbour nuisance complaints

Soho is known for its gems, some hidden and others less so. London’s hive of entertainment is for some late night paradise but for others a nightmare of ‘Magaluf on steroids’. And nowhere is this point of disagreement more visible than objections raised by residents in licensing applications for late night establishments. The New Evaristo…
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 figures, a report has found. Rather than just being due to a higher number of refuseniks, data showing a lower than average vaccination rate in Westminster was partly a result of the older population being…
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 were told they would be deported if they didn’t accept it by Saturday lunchtime. Earlier today Council Leader Adam Hug wrote to Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, for an explanation as to why the asylum…
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 announced that it will leave all grass on housing estates and in some parks untouched throughout the summer after the city participated in Plantlife’s “No Mow May” last month. The campaign encouraged people to not…
Vanity Soho: Strip bar stripped of SEV licence after owner deemed incapable of running establishment

A Soho strip bar has had its sexual entertainment licence refused after complaints of inappropriate behaviour by staff and reports of brothels, has had it rescinded. Vanity Soho has been stripped of its SEV licence after councillors were presented with evidence of malpractice in the club, including dancers snogging customers and staff misbehaviour. The venue…
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 Ormsby, calling on TfL to tackle the near ‘daily’ disruption caused by trains regularly skipping the hub, gained over 600 signatures in just three days. Lancaster Gate, which is served only by the Central Line,…
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 Park ward on the council since 2009, was elected unanimously by councillors at the annual meeting on Wednesday night. She took over from outgoing Lord Mayor Hamza Taouzzale who was the youngest person to hold…
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 were arrested has blamed the incident on police being taken off ‘non crime’ issues before the coronation. Sue McKenzie accused the force of a ‘lacklustre response’ and very little interest after her daughter, 30, was…
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. Police released a photo of a matching miniature set of the six medals belonging to a visitor last weekend and were thought to have gone missing close to Hyde Park Corner during the royal celebrations.…
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 outside their front door for weeks. Dunraven Street, a usually quiet alley just off Park Lane has become a demonstration hotspot as a result of political events 5000 miles away – the arrest of Pakistan’s…
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 Saturday morning ahead of the Coronation service. Several ‘Night Star’ volunteers on duty at 2am in Soho handing out rape alarms to women were arrested due to concerns the alarms were to be used to…
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 is, as with all major national and royal events, the focal point of the celebrations, with the Coronation service due to take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday at 11am. Residents will be able to…
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 part in going after their owners, Westminster’s council leader has said. Adam Hug said that while the council was making ‘great progress’ in tackling the issue, shops will simply move elsewhere unless the system behind…
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 that sprung up during the pandemic. The music store will open in its former flagship store near Bond Street Station by the end of the month, after a four year absence in Central London. At…
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 them in designated spaces, the council has said. Under the new plans, several hundred parking bays will be created at popular destinations such as Soho, in a bid to tackle the number of misparked and…
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, dubbed ‘the world’s most notorious photographers’, are four bronze free standing sculptures in suits holding cameras and have toured from New York to Shanghai. They are to be temporarily installed in Norfolk Square Gardens subject…
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, was sentenced to 3 years and 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to harming Mason, 52, at the Old Bailey on Thursday. Allan was previously found not guilty of murdering Mason, who died around…
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. Jimmy Hall, who was treated at the University College Hospital, is running the 21.6 mile challenge on Sunday to raise money for the UCLH Charity Cancer Fund. Jimmy, who turned 45 on Wednesday, is no…
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 Park. Residents in Clarence Gardens, NW1 discovered that their parking spots were being fraudulently advertised and hired out on platform JustPark. Over 200 bookings had been accepted for the bays from £2.80 an hour Thousands…
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. Collectors can bid for over 300 signs at an online auction on Thursday May 18, with estimates for the famous placards ranging from £60 to £300 plus a buyer’s premium of 20% on top of…
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 out outside schools each year, the council has announced. The eleven school roads across the city with controlled traffic will continue to be restricted to cyclists and pedestrians at peak times. Since 2019 school streets…
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 for sale. Customers will be able to sip a cup of artisan coffee and try seasonal food at 309 Regent Street while viewing student work which is also available for purchase. First conceived last September,…
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 has announced. Well wishers will be able to pay their respects to the former RAF veteran at a service on May 25 held at the St Clement Danes, the RAF Central Church. The flight…
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 for over two years. A scathing report by the Housing Ombudsman concluded that the council had failed to act swiftly enough in both fixing the issues, and handling the resident’s complaint, and awarded the family…
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 drop in on Wednesday. The pop-up stand at Pimlico Post Office on Lupus Street will run all day on April 5 from 9am to 5pm and will allow customers with prepayment meters to request new…
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 be able to – in a specially designed studio in Pimlico. The new 360 fully immersive technology promises to change the face of fitness classes is set to debut next month at the Queen Mother…
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 across the city. The new scheme, a joint venture between the council and operator Beryl, has been rolled out in four locations and costs jut 10p a minute in addition to a £1.50 unlocking fee.…
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 roomed apartment on Elgin Avenue at 9.03pm on Tuesday night, after a blaze damaged the second floor of a terraced house. Seven people evacuated the building before the fire brigade arrived. Firemen rescued one woman…
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 Max Daniels were all given prison sentences after they pleaded guilty to supplying Class A drugs and holding firearms. Gutale and Brown, both 26, were jailed for six years while Daniels, 19, was given a…
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 capacity of the original venue. Mr Brown’s send off, due to take place in Mortlake on Wednesday, has been postponed while plans are being made to allow more to pay their respects, with a new…
“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 with a “heartwarming and overwhelming” response. Westminster City Council said it was considering ways to honour Peter Brown, after it received more replies from the community than could be accommodated at his funeral. Mr Brown,…
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 the NOX Hotel Paddington on Craven Road at 4.41pm, where the blaze had ripped through half of the five storey building. Fire crews from Paddington, Kensington, North Kensington and Euston had the incident under control…
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, which was made available digitally to the public for the first time this week, shows how the popular attraction within the Regent’s Park has evolved during its nearly 200 years welcoming visitors. The earliest diagram…
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 parking space will increase by 20% in some areas, as the council looks to reorganise the scheme to try to reduce applications on streets deemed ‘traffic sensitive’. Bays can be suspended for a fee for…
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 on by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a display to mark the first day of the month – the first of its kind in Europe. Ramadan is the month of fasting observed by Muslims,…
Tommy Hilfiger promoted on the side of a Soho block of council flats

An illuminated advert for a well known fashion brand was shown on a Soho council block earlier this week. A large sign showcasing American fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger was spotted being projected on to the side of William Blake House on Broadwick Street, Soho last night. But council bosses insisted that the advert promoting the…
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 is being pursued after they were found blaring pop, house and rock music after 9pm. On Wednesday, eight riders found during enforcement operations last year were charged a total of £4792 in fines, costs and…
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: Westminster Council.
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 budget last week. Allowances for cabinet members are increasing by up to 45%, prompting Conservatives to accuse the Labour council of ‘filling its pockets with taxpayers’ money’. What are members’ allowances? Councillors, including both majority…
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 Housing Association, has died aged 96. Hardcastle also received a BAFTA for his work establishing the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) in 1988 which is now part of the BFI Southbank complex. A long…
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. Jessica Toale, who has served as a Westminster councillor since last May, will take on Conservative former minister Conor Burns in his Bournemouth West constituency at the next general election. Toale, 36, is running to…
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 report has said. The independent review, conducted by Mike Cooke, the former Camden borough Chief Executive, also concluded that the Marble Arch Mound distracted from the delivery of the rest of the £150 million scheme.…
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 this morning to Virgin Active on North Row, W1 following reports of a man in his early 20s ‘behaving erratically’ and fighting other customers. He was detained after trying to fight people, but later fell…
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 Traffic Neighbourhood was being considered near the Connaught Village increased after a £249k budget was set aside for a possible scheme. But the Council says there are no plans to introduce any traffic reduction schemes…
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 new number will be set up in the coming months so that people can report homes that have been left vacant long term, and forms part of a new package of measures designed to fill…
Long standing Soho pizzeria was closed down after cockroach infestation

A long standing pizzeria in Soho was closed down after a cockroach infestation. Inspectors served La Porchetta Pollo Bar an immediate Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice after pests were found in multiple places including in kitchen equipment and on the floor. La Porchetta Pollo Bar on Old Compton Street was shut immediately after the visit last…
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 by councillors. Local representatives criticised revised plans to build three skyscrapers just north of the Westway on the crossroads of Edgware Road and Marylebone Road, with all members of the planning committee supporting an objection…
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 Sara Momtaz is campaigning for play areas adapted for kids with both physical and learning disabilities, such as slides and swings for wheelchairs, and communication boards to provide information to parents. The centrepiece of her…
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. The fund, announced by the Council on Monday, will provide £1 million to tenants faced with financial pressures, with rents set to increase. It comes after the Government confirmed that social housing rents will rise…
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 new council homes. 91% of voters backed the project, which is already under construction, meaning it now qualifies for £41 million of funding from the Greater London Authority. Residents, including those who have been temporarily…
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 of the Ukraine conflict. Kyiv Road was named on Friday on a stretch of the W2 artery between Palace Court and Ossington Street, just opposite the Russian Embassy on Kensington Palace Gardens. The naming of…
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 by British bespoke designer Claire Mischevani were stolen as they were being loaded into a Range Rover on Chester Row last Thursday evening. Three men in black clothes and balaclavas smashed the window of the…
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 the Council to charge customers more for leaving cycles blocking pavements and on roads, with some companies imposing fines as low as £2 for repeat offenders. The moves comes after a spate of bikes dumped…
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 the outdated impractical stonework of the last century, all in a world of increasing environmental awareness over the impact of large scale demolitions. When Marks and Spencer unveiled a vision for its flagship Marble Arch…
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. L’Escargot Soho suddenly closed its doors when the landlord indicated they had exercised reentry rights and evicted them from the premises. A Notice of Forfeiture dated February 13 said that the building’s owners, Soho Estates…
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 said. Nickie Aiken, MP for the Cities of London and Westminster described the vandalism of the Westminster North association headquarters as an “attack on democracy”. The local office at Shirland Road, W9 was vandalised on…
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, Deputy Cabinet Member for culture and a councillor for West End ward, announced she had joined the race to take on former government minister Conor Burns in the Bournemouth West constituency. A co-founder of the…
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 the correct license. First Tier Tribunal upheld the £8000 fine against property management firm Sentry Guardians, after ruling that the property was licensable and that a breach had been committed. Sentry Guardians were found operating…
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 temporary workers in the city. Three Conservative councillors criticised the scheme to regenerate the Pimlico estate, saying that it will cut out over 100 local people and families who would have benefitted from intermediate rental…
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 in Soho. Officers arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and he remains in custody. Police discovered a young man with injuries on Greek Street, W1 at 3.07 am on Wednesday morning.…
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 of a mile between Maple Street and Goodge Street, and will include a contraflow lane for cyclists running southbound as well as new zebra crossings for pedestrians. Westminster Council originally held a consultation on a…
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 received 455 complaints relating to foul odour in the last year, more than anywhere else in the capital. Unpleasant odours are often the result of high air pollution, but other causes such as refuse and…
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 were called to the incident in W2 at Paddington at 3.17am on 29th January, where a woman in her 50s had suffered head injuries. She was taken to hospital and remains in a serious but…
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 had passed away hours after sustaining serious injuries from a collapsed urinal near to the Palace Theatre. Officers were alerted to the incident at 1.10pm this afternoon. Around 25 firefighters from Soho, Euston and Dowgate…
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 to fight a blaze at St Mark’s Church on Hamilton Terrace in the early hours of Friday morning. 80 firefighters attended the fire, which has destroyed both floors of the Grade II listed building on…
“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 placate them were branded a “car crash”. Council officials rejected calls for another independent review into possible soil contamination on the site owned by Westminster and slated for 21 new homes, amid frustration over the…
Pub group criticised for “incredibly bad taste” pawnbroker themed bar on Dean Street

A bar operator has been criticised for ‘making light of poverty” after it unveiled plans to open a pawn shop themed bar in Soho. Proposals for a new branch of experimental bar Mr Fogg’s based around a pawnbrokers were slammed as “distasteful” and “spectacularly misjudged” in light of the current cost of living crisis. The…
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, operated by Go Ahead London on the 74 route towards Putney caught fire near Portman Square where all passengers were evacuated safely, with just one treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. London Fire Brigade…
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 been “targeted” and deliberately intoxicated, leaving them vulnerable to scams. The decision taken by the licensing committee to give the Soho strip club three months to take “robust measures” while suspending the licence, stopped short…
Soho strip bar on brink of closure after police evidence reveals drink spiking and robberies totalling £250k

A Soho strip bar is threatened with closure after damning police reports revealed drink spiking and scams robbing patrons of over £30k on the premises. Vanity Bar and Nightclub on Carlisle Street is being investigated by the council following evidence from the Met Police showing a total of £250k had been stolen from customers, many…
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 for two more years. Soho’s last Italian delicatessen ended last year with hope, following successful negotiations with the site’s owners, Shaftesbury plc. Camisa’s future as one of Soho’s last independent shops was in doubt last…
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 many cities worldwide, including several in the UK. Westminster is the fourth local authority to roll out the superhydrophobic coating which deters urinators by splashing liquid back at them. Last week the Council declared “pee…
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 trying to escape while clutching drinks from Latin American restaurant MNKY HSE on Dover Street as fire engulfed festive decor inside. The flames were put out before the London Fire Brigade arrived on the scene…
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 for smoke inhalation after being evacuated from the block on Warrington Crescent by firefighters using breathing apparatus. Of the residents rescued, four were on the second floor which was partly damaged by the blaze and…
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 has the highest rate of phone thefts of all 33 boroughs, with around 5,911 reported incidents, over double the number of second placed Camden, with just 9.5 thefts for every thousand residents. An average of…
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. Existing ventilator fans designed to reduce pollution levels in the tunnels underneath Hyde Park Corner would activate for smoke, but would not be able to clear it for drivers and passengers to evacuate safely in…
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 over pay and conditions. The walkouts, currently slated for this Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, will also cause disruption on Thursday 15 and Sunday 18 due to train displacement. The strikes are part of a…
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 in Years 3 to 6 at state schools will benefit from free meals, for an initial period of 18 months to support families through the cost of living crisis. Pupils in Years 1-2 already qualify…
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 men were detained on Tuesday at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and grevious bodily harm. The arrests come days after the victim was named as Omar Abdallah, who was pronounced dead after…
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 November, nearly 1 in 10 shops remain vacant, despite a drop in American candy stores by nearly a third thanks in part to the Council’s campaign against dirty money. The tally up also showed that…
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 the incident on Lilestone Street at 15.23pm on Monday afternoon, where a man, believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead after. The second man is now being treated in hospital after also sustaining…
“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 partially taped up. A veteran who stayed at Paddington Flat on Spring Street last week described piles of unopened mail in the hallways and filth and mould in “every part” of the bathrooms. Alun Stewart,…
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 representing the West End’s retail industry said a pledge from Jeremy Hunt to restore the measure would make a “huge difference” in supporting tourism and provide a much needed boost to the hospitality and leisure…
Full Council 9th November: Council to honour seven former long standing members

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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 Totes4homeless, is brightening up Christmas for rough sleepers with tote bags filled with essential items and a festive treat. Last year Maria and her family raised over £2400 and made up and delivered over 40…
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 of Camden Council. Mike Cooke, who served as Chief Executive for Camden for seven years, will conduct the review amid “significant concerns” over the scheme’s lack of progress. The £150 million project was launched by…
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 Portland Street received a food hygiene rating of zero following an inspection this summer. The inspection also uncovered multiple issues with the basement kitchen, including lack of ventilation and paint peeling off the walls. The…
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 behalf of the Council Leader, Adam Hug, described the Queen as an “inspirational figure” and her passing as “everyone’s loss”. Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle yesterday afternoon. In his statement, Mr…
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 Malthouse, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster criticised the new 18-storey block adjacent as unfitting for its prominent location adjacent to Paddington Station, the rail terminus for services from Heathrow and the West Country.…
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 first time ever in the UK. The heatwave prompted the Met Office to issue its first ever Red Warning for extreme heat last week covering all of the capital and much of the East and…
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 to her constituents Ms Aiken said that she had been unhappy with Boris Johnson’s leadership for “some time”, and that she now believes he should step aside. It comes in a day of drama in…
Westminster council live: Adam Hug to face Rachael Robathan
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 public inquiry. The company, which has had a 90-year presence at its flagship location, said it was “bewildered and disappointed” at the Secretary of State’s decision to call in the application, and The programme was…
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 go ahead. Three 24 hour walkouts are planned on National Rail on June 21, 23 and 25, with a further strike on all Underground lines on Tuesday. Passengers are being advised to avoid travelling on…
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 focal point of national celebrations of the Queen’s 70-year-reign, Westminster will also play to host to over 10 street parties, although the Council has refused to disclose the exact number. Over 2000 events are taking…
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 confidence in order to “end speculation” about his future. While believing his apology for Partygate to be “genuine”, Nickie Aiken acknowledged that scandal had “damaged the Government and the Conservative Party”. However she stopped short…
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 bird spikes was condemned after attention was drawn to some installed on trees in Hanover Square, Mayfair. Bird control spikes are used by several local authorities as a means of dispersing pigeons without intending to…
Marylebone Indian restaurant gets food hygiene rating of zero after mice droppings found in kitchen

An iconic Marylebone Indian restaurant has received a scathing food hygiene inspection. Mumtaz, on Park Road near the Regent’s Park, received a food hygiene rating of zero, the lowest possible score, after mice droppings were discovered in the kitchen and food handling procedures were deemed poor. The inspection, carried out on March 12, uncovered that…
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 before it’s namesake celebrates 70 years on the throne, the swish new royal purple signed railway finally got on track. The Elizabeth Line or Crossrail as it was formerly known, was first conceived in its…
Council live – Lord Mayor and Council leader are elected
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, who represents Queen’s Park ward, will replace Andrew Smith who held the post since September 2021. Taouzzale, 22, who is of Moroccan heritage, will not only be Westminster’s first BAME Lord Mayor, but also it’s…
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 the new team comes a week after Labour emerged as the majority party, putting leader of the party Adam Hug in the top position, to be formally confirmed in next week’s council session. Hug, who…
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 extraordinary result, the Conservatives saw a net loss of 18 seats, while 13 turned red. Despite the dramatic recolouring of the ward map, the Tories’ overall vote share was down only by 0.8%, while Labour’s…
Labour wins Westminster Council

Labour have taken control of Westminster Council as local election results saw the borough change hands for the first time in its history. Several prominent wards such as West End, Maida Vale and Hyde Park turned red as Westminster woke up to its first Labour Council since it was formed in 1964. The night also…
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 – CON Hold x3 Queen’s Park – LAB Hold x3 Westbourne – LAB Hold x3 Pimlico South – LAB Win x3 West End – LAB Win x3 Pimlico North – CON Win x3 Vincent Square…
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 an hour between Paddington and Abbey Wood, every 5 minutes from 6am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday. The much delayed line’s opening was originally slated for 2019, but was set back over the pandemic. TfL…
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 MRP (multi level regression) poll conducted by Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now has predicted that Westminster will be one of five gains for Labour in Greater London, along with knife edge Wandsworth, Basildon, Barnet…
Mayor of London refuses permission for Paddington 800 room student block

The Mayor of London has refused to grant permission for a new student block in Paddington. Proposals for an 800 bed student block on Baltic Wharf were opposed by councillors in March, but were considered by Sadiq Khan following a request from the developers, Unite Students and Travis Perkins. The Mayor upheld the council decision…
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, one of Labour’s candidates for Maida Vale, shared a photo of her raising a middle finger in front of the Guards Crimean War Memorial at Waterloo Place. The picture was captioned with the line “How…
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 Poland Street. Police and firefighters attended the scene at 1.05pm shortly after the incident was reported. Around 400 people were evacuated from nearby buildings at 1.20pm shortly after the incident was reported, and several roads…
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. An inspection of The Cavendish on New Cavendish Street on February 21 uncovered poor pest control and a low standard of cleaning. A report from an environmental health officer from Westminster City Council stated that…
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 asset of “strategic potential”. But it also refused to rule out a future development involving the extension of the adjacent Pimlico leisure centre as soon as 2027, when there is a budget for it. The…
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 services came together to mark the anniversary of the terror incident, which claimed six lives and left 49 injured. A plaque dedicated to the victims of the incident was unveiled today on the bridge in…
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 by the Westminster Scrutiny Commission also showed that the council had spent an additional £10m on Covid measures, including social distancing and protecting vulnerable groups. Repeated lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 saw a vast reduction…
“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 councillors on Tuesday evening. The 20 storey, 768-bed building on Baltic Wharf was described as ‘monolithic’ as an avalanche of objections from the local and wider community were lodged on Tuesday night from the height…
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 of action over Russian wealth in the city. Wednesday’s council budget meeting, the last before elections in May, saw both sides pitch their offer to voters. Council leader Rachael Robathan, however hailed high resident satisfaction…
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 the law over lockdown breaking parties. In a letter to constituents this evening, the MP for Cities of London and Westminster said she would wait for full Sue Gray report before deciding whether to withdraw…
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 prospect of another ‘no-confidence’ saga, maybe imminently, in May post local elections or by the end of year. Yet this time something feels very different. The last time 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady’s mailbox…
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 countless hours scouring library shelves, cross referencing pages of notes and touching up bibliographies. But on average, at least one person in their class will have handed in their submission in a fraction of the…
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, is wanted in connection to an offence in the early morning of June 17. The unnamed female victim had just left friends in the area when she was assaulted. Mr Lawson, who police say may…

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