Author: Blake Foster

The Bell Hotel has been the focal point of recent protests over immigration and the use of the place. It followed since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside on Thursday (July 17) evening. A 33-year-old man, from Loughton, was arrested on Saturday (July 19) on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage. He is in custody waiting to be questioned. Dean Walters, 65, of Corner Meadow in…

Listed at £2,500,000, the five-bedroom property is arranged over three floors and measures just under 4,000 square feet, according to the listing. The house occupies a position overlooking Streatham Common and is approached via a landscaped front garden. Georgian detached house built in 1764, set back behind a landscaped front garden with off-street parking and views over Streatham Common (Image: Rampton Baseley) Off-street parking for two cars is included. The listing states the house has “incredible lateral living accommodation” and a range of modern features, while retaining period details such as an entrance hall with a period fireplace. Three reception…

In a triumph for both taste and creativity, owner of Fabulous Ice Fires, Taseer Ahmed, has previously been named the UK’s top-ranked gelato maker. Now, The Times has listed the popular geletaria as one of the best places for ice cream in the country. Taseer told the News Shopper: “Gelato can make you happy, it can make you smarter – I call it the superpowers of gelatos.” Fabulous Ice Fires (Image: Fabulous Ice Fires/Taseer Ahmed) Taseer has served hand-crafted frozen delights to the people of Lewisham and beyond for more than 10 years, and it’s no surprise that he is…

An independent review commissioned by production company Banijay into misconduct allegations against Gregg Wallace upheld 45 of the 83 claims, leading to his removal from the cooking programme. Torode was also fired after racial language accusations were levied against him. It was claimed that he used the “N-word” on two separate occasions while working at the broadcaster. New presenters ‘confirmed’ for MasterChef after Gregg Wallace and John Torode axing Now, it has been ‘confirmed’ that Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt is taking over one of the vacant positions after the axing of Gregg Wallace and John Torode. According to The Sun, BBC chef Andi Oliver, who currently stars in Great British Menu, is also…

The incident happened outside Better Gym in Broadway just before 5.30pm on July 18.  Officers attended and found a man in his 50s who had been involved in a crash with a 57-year-old man on a moped.  The man on the e-bike was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries before being taken to custody. He has since been released with no further action. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 17:27hrs on Friday, 18 July to reports of a road traffic collision between a moped and an…

A new NHS survey has revealed where Lewisham patients are having the best – and the most disappointing – experiences with their GP surgeries. According to the 2025 GP Patient Survey, Deptford Medical Centre, Nightingale Surgery, and Lee Road Surgery were the top three rated practices in Lewisham, with more than 80 per cent of patients reporting a good experience. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, The QRP Surgery, The Lewisham Care Partnership, and Triangle Group Practice received the lowest scores in the borough. With rising demand and growing pressure on NHS staff, many surgeries are still working…

First opened in 1933, the station is one of the last in London to still have wooden platforms. Network Rail has said that the works are “essential”, claiming that they will extend the life of the station and improve the passenger experience. South Western Railway services will not stop at the station while the upgrade takes place. Here, we have answered all of the questions you might have about the project.   When will the station shut? Work is set to begin on the upgrade on May 11, 2026, and will last for 15 weeks. This means that the station will…

Anisa Khan, who owns Sutton’s Bombay Pizza, posted on her TikTok account about what she has done to help her business grow. The owner, who was a runner-up on this year’s Apprentice, said she handwrote thank you cards and review requests for every order in her first year. She also said that when there were staffing issues, she did every role herself, including making and delivering pizzas. Anisa Khan owns Bombay Pizza (Image: Anisa Khan) Anisa even said she worked for her pizza business while working in management consulting. She would work from Bombay Pizza, take client calls on mute,…

In Blackheath, residents are seeking permission for tree work, including reducing an ash tree back to previous pollard points at Flat B, 69 Shooters Hill Road (Ref: 25/2263/TC). At 6 Holm Walk, a 12-metre Leylandii may be felled due to its low amenity value (Ref: 25/2264/TC). In Parkgate, a resident at 23B has asked to reduce the height of a Purple Norway Maple from 10 metres to 8 metres (Ref: 25/2246/TC). Meanwhile, at 77 Maidenstone Hill, a 10-metre sycamore could be reduced by 3 metres in height and by 2 metres across its spread (Ref: 25/2247/TC). In Eltham, the owner…

The road will be shut between Belmont Road and Horsa Road, with parking and loading also banned along that stretch during the works, which starts from July 21. A diversion will be in place via Belmont Road, Bedonwell Road and Parsonage Manorway. Access to Tyler Close and Northumberland Park will remain open throughout. The closure is expected to last up to seven days, with signs showing exactly when the restrictions are active. Emergency and works vehicles will still be allowed through when needed. Want to find out all the latest planning applications, alcohol licensing applications and planned road closures near…