Author: Blake Foster

Parkside Community Centre in Goodmayes Lane now has the funds for a 21st century makeover to bring the ageing building up to scratch for its 60th anniversary in 2027. It has secured £147,000 from three sources — the City Bridge Trust, the National Lottery and Veolia. A disused run-down area is being brought back to life while social services are being expanded, thanks to the grant. “This is a game-changer for us,” Parkside’s manager Annie Peck said. “We can now bring a disused area back as a warm space for people to enjoy and make friends. “The funding also means we…

A Haringey Council licensing meeting had to be abandoned after a lawyer for the pub said he was considering reporting a Metropolitan Police officer for a criminal offence under the Licensing Act. Councillors deliberating over the fate of the North Eight pub – formerly the Hornsey Tavern, in Hornsey High Street – had been given a list of recent police call-outs to justify a licensing review. It said officers had been called to violent offences 13 times since April 2025. But specialist licensing solicitor David Dadds said four of those were duplicates and most of the rest turned out to…

Zen Records, a cornerstone of Tottenham’s music scene, will shut this autumn, marking the end of an era for vinyl lovers and the wider community. The record shop has served the community for 30 years. (Image: Google Maps) Located at 69 Broad Lane, the shop is closing because owner Robert Douglas is stepping down for health reasons. A statement shared on Instagram said: “Robert came from the vibrant sound system scene, playing out regularly before deciding to dedicate his life to sharing music instead of spinning it. “With a passion and knowledge that only true connoisseurs possess, he opened Zen…

Havering Council will meet this Wednesday (July 23) at 7.30pm at the town hall, with councillors set to review the annual reports of committees and the call-in procedure for decisions. A total of 15 questions have also been put to cabinet members and leader of the council Cllr Ray Morgon, covering everything from the early collection of council tax to abandoned shopping trolleys and Gallows Corner. Cllr David Taylor has asked the cabinet member for environment Cllr Barry Mugglestone if there is an agreed start date for the “in-filling of the subways” on Romford ring road. READ MORE: Everything we know…

The Metropolitan Police were called at 2.13pm this afternoon (July 21) with reports of an incident at a barber shop on High Street.  Officers attended alongside paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance, a charity that only treats the city’s most seriously ill patients. At the scene two men, aged 35 and 26, were found injured. One was suffering knife injuries.  They have been taken to hospital, with their injuries declared non-life changing and non-life threatening.  Police were pictured working inside the shop after the incident (Image: Sutton Tutors) The pair have been arrested in connection to the incident and enquiries are underway.  …

Metropolitan Police officers were called to the junction of Quex Road with Kilburn High Road at 3.04pm today (July 21) with reports of an incident.  A gas leak had been discovered in the area and seven people reported suffering minor injuries.  Four people were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service.  The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was also in attendance.  READ MORE: Porn actor brutally murdered London couple and left their severed heads in freezer A spokesperson for the Met said: “Police were called at 15:04hrs on Monday, 21 July to reports of a gas leak on Quex Road/Kilburn High…

The Office star, 53, is said to be irritated by noise from a pre-school opposite his north London mansion, which he bought in 2018 after splitting from Amanda Abbington. Freeman wants to replace the current single-glazed windows with leaded, double-glazed ones. (Image: Ian West/PA) As a result, Freeman is reportedly keen to replace the current single-glazed windows of the four-storey house with leaded, double-glazed ones. An insider said: “The noise is a major problem, particularly during term time on weekdays, due to the school located directly opposite.” The source added: “New [window] units will reduce noise pollution from the street…

Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, of Scotts Road, Shepherds Bush Green, was convicted by a jury of two counts of murder at Woolwich Crown Court today (July 21).  The charges relate to the murders of 71-year-old Paul Longworth and 62-year-old Albert Alfonso who were found brutally murdered on July 8, 2024.  Mosquera – a pornographic performer and Colombian national who spoke no English –  was known to the couple, who were in a civil partnership, for years and had been staying with them at their flat for a month prior to the murders.  He and Albert were involved in a consensual sexual relationship that…

Zizzi, located at 43 Market Place, reopened on July 15 after a complete refurbishment. The restaurant has been designed to reflect Zizzi’s “playful spirit” and Italian roots, while celebrating the community in Kingston. It also has room to seat 130 guests. Guests invited to claim free pizza as Zizzi celebrates Kingston revamp (Image: Tony Buckingham) To celebrate the reopening, Zizzi is giving away 1,000 free pizzas between July 15 and August 1. These are available Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm. Guests need to visit zizzi.co.uk/offers/2817, complete the form, and pre-book a table at the Kingston restaurant to get a free…

Tucked inside 22 Bishopsgate, the venue felt like a secret escape above the city. It was surprisingly quiet for central London, making the experience feel exclusive and relaxed. Bottomless spritz and seasonal plates impress at Bishopsgate hideaway (Image: Holly Brencher) We were greeted warmly and shown to a table on the airy terrace, where music added to the atmosphere. The service was quick, friendly, and incredibly polished from start to finish. We kicked things off with bottomless Aperol Spritz, which arrived chilled and perfectly balanced. For starters, we chose the wild mushroom arancini and crespelle with prosciutto and parmesan. Arancini and…