Author: Blake Foster

Environmental health officers from Lewisham have been busy this fortnight visiting businesses across the area to see if they are meeting hygiene requirements. Based on guidelines set by the Food Standards Agency, inspectors look to see how clean the facilities are; what food safety management procedures are in place and how hygienic food handling is. Ratings are then dished out from five to zero — with the higher score the better the result. Five — Very Good Bright Clouds at 13 Balder Rise, SE12 9PF, rated 5 on February 24, 2025. Cow Cow at 47-49 Lee High Road, SE13 5NS,…

The former England defender, 62, had been in Las Vegas to watch a rugby league match between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves. He became unwell on the flight back to London Heathrow on Sunday, March 2, and received treatment on the Virgin Atlantic plane. A decision was made to make an emergency landing at St John’s International Airport in Canada, Sky News reports. There was a minute’s applause for Stuart Pearce at the City Ground after the former Forest, Man City and England defender suffered a medical emergency on a flight last weekend.Everyone at MOTD sends Stuart our best wishes for…

John Mastin-Lee won the Barnet Council Finchley Church End by-election on March 6 with 1,509 votes. Labour’s Beverley Kotey came second with 977 votes, followed by Reform candidate Lisa Rutter with 351. Liberal Democrat James Goldman secured 213 votes, Green party candidate David Farbey received 147 followed by Rejoin EU’s Brendan Donnelly with 119 votes and independent candidate Brian Ingram coming last with 20. So well deserved @JoshMastinLee 💙👏Barnet’s back! 🗳️ https://t.co/mvsVkMXFes pic.twitter.com/1CXRMsPj4o — Cllr Ruby Sampson (@RubySampson18) March 7, 2025 The by-election was triggered following the death of  long-serving Barnet councillor and former mayor Eva Greenspan on January 11. First elected in…

The victim, whose age has not been shared yet, was found injured after the knife attack in Victoria Road, Queens Walk, yesterday (March 6) at around 4.55pm. He was taken to hospital for treatment and remains there at this time. No arrests have been made at this time. Earlier this morning Victoria Road was shut both ways between Stonefield Way and Queens Walk. The cordon has however now extended between Stonefield Way and Eastcote Lane. A detour operation is in place for the 114 bus route as traffic is being diverted. Anyone with information that could assist police is asked…

Real estate firm Redcliff has revealed its latest plans for the 1970s Walnuts shopping centre, which it says suffers from an “outdated design” and “empty units”. Proposals include building three tower blocks ranging in height between 11- and 19-storeys, as well as four smaller blocks. The scheme would deliver 450 new homes alongside a new market hall and shops. Part of the shopping centre’s car park will also be demolished, reducing the number of spaces from 525 to 370. Redcliff took charge of the proposed redevelopment of the shopping centre in 2023, after original plans for 990 homes on the site…

Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, in Avenue Road, stopped serving customers on February 1. Owner Samuel Smith Old Brewery has never responded to requests from the Ham&High for comment.  The Campaign for Real Ale’s north London group said on X that it had met with the Belsize Society on Tuesday (March 4) to “kick start” the campaign to save the historic watering hole. The two organisations have submitted an application to Camden Council to get the pub registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and locally listed. This would give the community the right to be informed if the pub is listed for…

The consultation is being led by Camden Council, which is reviewing its existing scheme aimed at enhancing safety and management standards in privately rented shared homes. The scheme, in place since 2015, requires landlords in Camden to obtain an additional licence to ensure that houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are well-maintained and safe for all residents. As the scheme undergoes its five-year review, tenants, landlords, agents, businesses, and service providers across Camden and nearby areas are invited to contribute their views. Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali emphasised the importance of the consultation, stating: “Your feedback will help improve conditions for private renters…

Regal London has submitted an “amendment application” to Camden Council to finish the abandoned former office block site at the junction of Avenue Road and Finchley Road in Swiss Cottage. The developer agreed to buy the site above Swiss Cottage tube station from Essential Living in March last year.  Essential Living paused work after completing the basement, then defeated Camden Council at a public inquiry after applying to reduce the number of affordable homes in 2021, claiming the scheme was “not viable”.  Regal’s revised plans retain the previously approved height of 24 storeys but increase the number of homes from 184 to 237, with 35% to be ‘affordable’. …

Gongs were handed out for best films and performances of the year – and there were tears and triumphs for those who graced the stage and watched from the sidelines. And if you’re keen to see what some of the fuss is about, here’s where you can watch some of the major films that won Academy Awards in the UK – from Anora to Conclave. Anora A woman working as a stripper in New York falls in love with the son of a Russian billionaire. Awards Best picture, actress for Mikey Madison, director, original screenplay and film editing.   Congratulations to…

Fred Liddle appeared on the talent show on Saturday (March 1) to play the theremin, an electronic musical instrument played without any physical contact, in front of judges Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell. The motor mechanic said the decision to come on Britain’s Got Talent was because he was “inspired by listening to a violinist called Katica Illényi. Bruno Tonioli had no idea what a theremin was, and Simon Cowell replied by calling them “the worst things ever invented”. Fred went on to O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini. However, just seconds later, Simon Cowell…