Author: Blake Foster

The British Transport Police has released images of four men they would like to speak to after an assault on November 21. At around 6.20am, a man was pushed down the stairs by a group as he was walking towards the Bakerloo Line. The man hit his head and suffered an injury that later required hospital treatment. He also had his wallet stolen by a group. Detectives would like to speak to the men pictured, as they believe they may have information which could help their investigation. Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting…

The charity, alongside Croydon Health Services, is hoping to make this year’s festive season a little brighter by sending more than 500 presents to patients spending time in hospital or receiving support from community services. The charity is £250 short of fully funding these gifts, however.  With December 2 marking ‘Giving Tuesday’, the national day of giving, a special one-day appeal is being launched to help close the gap. By donating as little as £5, people in the local community can fund a present for a child or vulnerable adult and help Croydon Health Charity cross the finish line. Read…

The George has relaunched after a six-figure investment that created five new jobs, improved facilities and increased capacity. The upgrades include an 87-inch HD screen, four Sky Q boxes to broadcast multiple sports channels, and a new darts area. The pub closed for the revamp (Image: supplied) Stephen O’Halloran, general manager at The George, said: “I’m delighted to welcome everyone back to our pub following its brief closure. An 87 inch TV screen is part of the refurbished watering hole (Image: supplied) “We’ve kept everything our guests know and love, while making thoughtful improvements where it was needed, and I…

Officers were called to reports of an assault in Thorold Road, Chatham at around 3.10am today (December 2). Emergency services attended and a teenager was found inside with injuries consistent with stab wounds. He was treated by paramedics but was confirmed dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. A man in his 30s from Chatham has been arrested in connection with the incident, and remains in custody. Enquiries are underway with cordons in place in Thorold Road and an adjacent alleyway. Investigators are appealing to any witnesses who have not yet spoken to the police to…

Reforms to the licensing system could mean that alcohol licences are no longer published in local newspapers and their websites. If enacted, the proposal would mean that plans to open a new pub or nightclub, or for an existing venue to change its opening hours, would no longer be publicised within local communities. Meanwhile, another bill could remove the requirement for the publication of licences highlighting changes to local authority governance. This would strip communities of the right to know about sweeping changes to local councils – just as the government embarks upon the most dramatic reform of local government…

Once a powerhouse of shipbuilding and royal industry, today it’s a lively, diverse area that blends old and new in a way few other parts of London manage. Much of what we know about Deptford’s early history comes from Lewisham Council, which notes that the area’s name comes from the “deep ford” that once crossed the River Ravensbourne at what is now Deptford Bridge. Deptford’s status changed dramatically in 1513 when Henry VIII founded a Royal Dockyard here, according to Lewisham Council’s historical records. Ships for the Royal Navy were built on this site for centuries, and the area grew…

A new planning application has been entered to Havering Council surrounding the disused Atik venue at 108 South Street. Atik opened in the town in 2018 under parent company Rekom UK, but its closure followed just years later in 2024 after a failed attempt to reach a lease agreement with the landlord. The former nightclub venue appeared back in headlines in September, after a public consultation was held for prospective plans to see it demolished to make way for almost 300 home studios. The site is claimed to have suffered “number of break-ins, leading to vandalism” and has been described…

The new pub, Coombe Lodge Wetherspoons, which will also feature a beer garden, is now set to open on December 17. It was originally due to open on December 10, but the date has been pushed back by a week. The pub will be in a Grade II-listed building on Coombe Road, CR0 5RB, which was originally part of the Coombe Estate. This area of Croydon has retained much of its “rural character”. The historical building, thought to be mid-18th century, was previously a Beefeater, which closed for good at the start of September after 37 years of operation. It…

Aerial shots over the major project taken today (December 2) have captured the most recent headway made to the reconstruction of the flyover. A significant level of activity has been seen across the site, including in Southend Arterial Road. The site was looking particularly busy this morning (December 2) (Image: Peter Barrett) Since the roundabout and surrounding roads were fully closed to motorists in June and the former flyover was deconstructed, Transport for London (TfL) has been reinstalling the flyover in segments from Eastern Avenue East. More than five months later, the flyover has yet to be completed i1n Southend…

Reforms to the licensing system could mean that alcohol licences are no longer published in local newspapers and their websites. If enacted, the proposal would mean that plans to open a new pub or nightclub, or for an existing venue to change its opening hours, would no longer be publicised within local communities. Meanwhile, another bill could remove the requirement for the publication of licences highlighting changes to local authority governance. This would strip communities of the right to know about sweeping changes to local councils – just as the government embarks upon the most dramatic reform of local government…