A Kentish Town couple who operate two of the four independent cafes on Hampstead Heath have said they are “devastated” after learning the sites are to be handed to a single operator. The City of London Corporation cafe takeover will see the venues transferred to Australian-inspired chain Daisy Green from spring 2026. The City of […]
A former Metropolitan Police undercover officer has told a public inquiry that his conduct while infiltrating left-wing groups in London during the 1990s was “cruel” and known to senior officers. Mark Jenner, who used the undercover identity Mark Cassidy, was a member of the Special Demonstration Squad. The unit is under examination by the Undercover […]
A community centre in north-west London associated with preventing race riots in the 1980s faces demolition after being denied heritage protection. Bridge Park Community Centre in Harlesden was put forward for national heritage status following a public campaign launched last year by Harlesden People’s Community Council. The application was rejected by Historic England, the public […]
Senior police officers have told the London Assembly that the Israel-Gaza conflict hate crime on London transport remains elevated, even after a recent fall in reported incidents. Levels of hate crime across Transport for London services have not returned to those seen before October 2023. Hate crime reports rose sharply in late 2023, with Jewish […]
Londoners are being warned to take extra care near rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs during the winter months, following a rise in water-related incidents. New figures from the London Fire Brigade show an increase in incidents during colder weather over the past five years. Firefighters have already attended more than 670 water-related incidents this year, […]
Plans have been approved to restore the Old Spotted Dog in Forest Gate, bringing the long-derelict pub back into use alongside new hotel and residential accommodation. Newham Council’s strategic planning committee approved two applications submitted by Highpride Properties Ltd at a meeting on 9 December. The proposals cover the “restoration and re-use” of the Old […]
A train collided with the buffers at London Bridge station after the driver fell asleep at the controls, an investigation has concluded. The incident took place at 3.45pm on 13 December last year at one of the UK’s busiest stations. The train was arriving at platform 12 when it struck the buffers at low speed. […]
Freemasons are preparing to launch legal action against the Metropolitan Police over plans requiring officers to declare their membership of the organisation. Groups representing Freemasons in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have sent a letter before claim to the force. The move is a formal step towards seeking a judicial […]
From January 6, 2026, Gatwick Airport will increase its passenger drop-off charge to £10, a rise of 43 per cent from the current £7 fee. The airport has attributed the hike to an increase in business rates introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which it says has added significantly to operating costs. This change makes Gatwick […]
Passengers in London should prepare for significant train service interruptions over the festive period. While travel before December 25 remains unaffected, Network Rail has scheduled extensive engineering work between Christmas and early January. These works will affect some of the capital’s busiest stations and could increase journey times. At London Euston, Avanti West Coast services […]
Free and independent newsletter
Follow us:
