Author: Blake Foster

A Croydon shopfront could see a £2 million transformation. The former Marks & Spencer store at 135A North End is set for changes to its shop frontage and upper floor glazing. The proposal was submitted by Topspot Investing Limited. Located in the Central Croydon Conservation Area, the project is expected to be completed this month. Public comments on the application are invited by Croydon Council and must be submitted by July 31. They can be made online, by email to dmcomments@croydon.gov.uk, or by post to Development Management, Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery Department, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk,…

Greenwich Council has launched a six-week consultation on its “sustainable streets” programme in six areas of the borough, including Shooters Hill. If implemented, the scheme would include introducing parking permits and designated parking bays. But some people living in Shooters Hill have told the News Shopper that the local authority is trying to solve a problem that does not exist, claiming that there are very few parking problems in the area. Tim Waters, who finished fourth in the Shooters Hill council by-election last month as a Conservative candidate, said: “I’m absolutely fuming. “Controlled parking zones (CPZs) originated around high streets and stations.…

In the past eight months alone, the Brent & Kilburn Times has reported on a total of five victims of shootings in Brent. This includes three people shot in Gilford Road, Harlesden, on December 14 – resulting in the death of 44-year-old Michelle Sadio. Five days later, a man in his 20s was shot in Washbourne Road, between Harlesden and Stonebridge. On July 7, a 30-year-old man was shot in Tanfield Avenue at 9pm. Statistics show that gun crime is becoming a more apparent issue in the area – however police believe these are “isolated incidents”. High spike According to data published by…

The go-ahead was given at the local authority’s cabinet meeting last week (July 15) to establish the ‘registered charity’ body to organise the festival independently and be able to get outside commercial sponsorship. Haringey got an extra year’s advance notice from the Mayor of London in 2024 that it was to host the 2027 festival. The extra time compared to previous ‘year of culture’ awards to other boroughs has given the council a new approach like setting up a separate organisation for the festival that wouldn’t need to rely on the public coffers. “This decision is major step for our year…

South Western Railway services have been majorly disrupted by a signal failure since around 7am today (July 21).  Trains running to and from the station may be delayed by up to 60 minutes or cancelled. Major disruption is expected until the end of the day. Passengers are advised by National Rail to not to travel from this station until further notice. Services in and out of London Waterloo will be subject to cancellations, platform changes and major service alteration. Any unused tickets valid for today  will be valid for travel tomorrow (July 22).  Commuters can alternatively use their tickets on the…

Laboratory confirmed measles cases in the borough have reached 24 as of the end of June, according to the latest government data. This puts Newham sixth highest out of all the upper tier local authorities in England, and second highest in London, with only Hackney recording more cases. Birmingham – which has a population of more than 1.1 million people and where a measles outbreak initially started in late 2023 – has recorded just two more cases than Newham this year. Across London, the majority of measles cases have been seen in children aged one to fou, followed by the five to 10 age…

Gascoigne, 58, was said to have been discovered by a friend at his Dorset home on Friday evening (July 18). He is reportedly recovering now and is expected to be in hospital for treatment for a few days. Steve Foster, a friend of Gascoigne’s and his driver, who found him, told The Sun newspaper: “He would like to thank everyone for the support he’s received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.” Happy birthday to former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/O5ROmiyuVZ — England (@England) May 27, 2025 He added: “Paul…

Angela Alvarez, who studied nail art at Harlow ACL Essex, received the Progression and Achievement Award at ACL Essex’s annual awards ceremony in Chelmsford on July 10. Angela was praised for her “outstanding” work and commitment to helping others, including supporting classmates by creating group chats and helping with language transcription. She also won her class Nail Art award for producing results and using techniques beyond course requirements. Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “Each nominee has shown dedication, resilience, and a passion for learning that inspires. “From family learning…

Patients across the borough have helped to rank their local doctors’ as part of the annual GP Patient Survey for NHS England.  The survey asks participants for their feedback on several points, including the ease of phone contact, whether they get to see their preferred GP and more.  Rainham & Upminster Medical Centre has received the worst patient rating.  The surgery, in Upminster Road South, saw 29.49 per cent of respondents report that they have had an overall negative experience.  In particular, patient feedback highlighted that ease of contact via the website and ease of contact with the GP via the…

Regular readers of these wildlife jottings might recall how I’ve bemoaned the paucity of entries on my butterfly list this year. It rarely advances much past 20 in any year but it seemed a tad disappointing to be stuck on just 11 species as I prepared to tear off the June calendar page. Then a decision to go on a butterfly expedition paid handsome dividends. Wild Things: Can you help with this year’s Big Butterfly Count? Friday, June 27 started warm and got a whole lot hotter. My pal Jim and I headed for the RSPB nature reserve at Northward…