Author: Blake Foster

The shop in High Street North will open its doors to customers once again on Saturday, August 16 with a brand new look. The newly refurbished shop will have an “exciting range” of new brands for men, women and children. Anthony Smith, chief executive of Shoe Zone, said: “It is exciting to be reopening our store in East Ham which will see the launch of new brands for customers to enjoy. “We hope that our customers like the new variety of products and we look forward to welcoming them back into the store.” The new store will still stock its…

The major chain has been given the green light to convert the former Crust Pizzeria, in Hutton Road and close to the train station, into the new shop. Before it was run as a pizza restaurant it was previously a Lloyds Bank. The new shop is set to create five full-time jobs and 10 part-time jobs. The proposals also include changes to the extraction system as well as to the shopfront, with new grey aluminium doors and windows and aluminium signage. The opening hours proposed are 5am to 11pm each day, which is similar to the adjacent shops Co-op and…

The action could see nearly 400 cleaners, porters and caterers walk out following complaints over conditions, contracts and management at the Trust. The ballot result, announced yesterday (August 13), showed 98 per cent support for the strike organised by United Voices of the World (UVW), which represents the workers. UVW, which plans to meet the Trust for negotiations on Friday (August 15), says its members are facing “second-class” terms. The workers, all now directly employed by the NHS, are calling for the same pay and conditions as colleagues on the national Agenda for Change (AfC) framework, which sets standard rates for…

Hft Surrey, also known as Springfield Resource Centre, in New Malden, could shut in October due to financial challenges. A total of 1,440 people have signed a Change.org petition opposing the proposed closure, claiming the “abrupt decision” was made without prior consultation or proper notice. The petition says the announcement has caused “dread and concern” among users and their families, who are now facing an uncertain future. Learning disability charity Hft, which runs the centre and other branches across England, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it is exploring options which could allow Hft Surrey to stay open. A…

Alarmed residents reported an explosion or an “enormous bang” at about 11.45am today (August 15). It was heard in areas such as Havering, Dartford, Orpington and Erith.  A flight was escorted into Stansted Airport by an RAF Typhoon after it lost contact with the ground. Contact was re-established with the plane, which had been travelling from Nice, and was escorted into the airport.  Officers determined there was nothing of concern. This is a breaking news story. More to follow.    Source link

Havering Council and Wates Residential hosted the event for Blocks 9 and 10 at the Waterloo and Queen Street site. It is part of a £1 billion plan to transform 12 council estates over a 12-year period. The plan has already delivered 197 homes in New Green, Rainham, and 175 homes for over 55s in Park Rise, South Hornchurch. The proposals for Waterloo and Queen Street aim to provide more than 100 ‘affordable’ homes in two blocks, a new church hall for the community, and landscaped public spaces. Around 40 residents attended the consultation and expressed positive feedback, according to the…

The engineering work will affect trains on Sunday (August 17). Trains will run as normal on Saturday (August 16). We have outlined and simplified the details so you can plan your journey this week.   Sunday (August 17): Engineering work is taking place between Petts Wood and Sevenoaks, closing all lines. Trains between London Charing Cross and Ramsgate or Dover Priory via Tonbridge will be diverted between London Bridge and Sevenoaks and may run at different times than usual. Services between London Charing Cross and Hastings will also be diverted and will not stop at Orpington. Trains between London Victoria…

Bexley Council said its Environmental Health Teams are treating the matter as a priority. Signs have been put up around the site warning people not to enter the lake or allow pets into the water. Fishing has been prohibited and staff are patrolling the area regularly to ensure the restrictions are followed. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms naturally present in lakes and streams. In warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich waters that receive a lot of sunlight, they can multiply rapidly. This can result in blooms that change the colour of the water or form mats or scums…

The changes are due to engineering work and will affect trains on Saturday and Sunday (August 16 and August 17). We have outlined and simplified the details so you can plan your journey this week.   Sunday (August 17): Engineering work is taking place between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction, closing all lines. No Southern trains will run between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction. Passengers should use London Northwestern Railway trains between London Euston and Watford Junction, Southern trains between Clapham Junction and London Victoria, and on London Underground between Victoria and Euston.   Saturday and Sunday (August 16 and 17):…

Newham Council said the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) assessment found that more than seven in ten residents of council homes are satisfied with the service they receive. This is a significant increase from last year and places Newham above the London average, the authority added. The TSM assessment is used to determine how residents are treated by social housing landlords in England. It takes into account several factors, including the number of complete repairs, the safety of homes, and the communication between landlords and tenants. The assessment found that Newham is surpassing the London average in various areas, such as complaint…