Author: Blake Foster

Volvo Cars South East London, in Sidcup Road, announced that the brand had been recognised for its consistent demand in the electrification line-up at the 2025 awards ceremony. The Leasing.com Awards are based on data, reflecting real consumer demand on the UK’s largest leasing comparison site. They use enquiry volumes, market share, value and industry expertise to determine the winners, representing the models and partners that have defined leasing over the past year. Mike Fazal, CEO at Leasing.com, said: “Volvo continues to lead from the front when it comes to electrification, safety and desirability. “The brand’s leasing popularity speaks volumes,…

Sea Fresh, at 257 Chase Cross Road, is up for sale on property website Rightmove for £550,000. The listing from estate agent Andrew Caplin Commercial Ltd states that the takeaway measures 953 sq ft in total and also includes an external storage area. A flat on the first floor – featuring one bedroom, a lounge, a kitchen and a bathroom – is part of the sale, as well as two parking spaces at the back of the property. READ MORE: Romford in need of ‘dramatic’ redevelopment to revitalise town The chippy on the ground floor traded as a takeaway for…

The William Morris in Forest Road, Walthamstow, has been advertised by owner Stonegate Group as available for a new tenancy. The pub, formerly The College Arms, was renamed the William Morris after extensive refurbishment using William Morris wallpaper in 2013. According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) website, it was reopened under new management in July 2023, but closed on August 28 that year and became closed long term on February 19, 2024. Despite this, Stonegate Group’s listing describes the pub as having the “potential to be the go-to premium local”. William Morris in 2024 (Image: Google) The description…

The first week of November will see many local parks, schools, and clubs hosting fireworks events in celebration of Firework Night, which this year falls on Wednesday, November 5. Even if you haven’t bagged yourself tickets yet, there are still plenty of displays with tickets available. Here’s everything you need to know:   Battersea Park Fireworks Where: Battersea Park, Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 4NJ When: November 1 and 2. Fireworks at 8.30pm on November 1 and 7pm on November 2. Ticket Prices: Adults pay £14.20, children aged five to 15 pay £9.50, and under-5s go free. Battersea Park Fireworks…

As darkness falls over the Thames, engineers will move in to carry out vital repairs on the tunnels – a necessary but ghostly interruption to the usual stream of headlights between Kent and Essex. The northbound closures will take place between Friday, October 31 and Monday, November 3, with diversions hauntingly winding through the National Highways network. The Dartford Crossing, made up of the QEII Bridge and two tunnels, is a lifeline for thousands of motorists each day – a crucial link between counties and a key artery of the M25. Drivers are urged to check live travel updates before…

TfL has confirmed it will not be providing a new timeline for the Gallows Corner works until next week, despite initially committing to providing an update by the end of October. It has now been more than four months since the major junction first closed – and two months since delays to the project were announced. Gallows Corner was initially expected to be back open to drivers in September, but “unforeseeable problems” with ground conditions at the site have put a hold on the water main replacement being carried out by Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW). READ MORE: Gallows Corner…

Just 30 minutes from London, this four-star hotel sits neatly between Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross, offering a countryside calm that feels a world away from city bustle. From the moment we walked through the doors, it was clear the hotel has undergone a thoughtful renovation. Room service delivers convenience and quality late into the evening (Image: Simon Callaghan Photography) The interiors feel fresh and modern, yet still warm and welcoming, a blend of sleek design and homely touches that make it ideal for families like ours. We stayed in a beautiful double room, which was spacious, spotless, and tastefully updated,…

Shaine March, of Surrey Quays, admitted to the murder of his girlfriend Alana Odysseos on the seventh day of his trial. Alana, 32, was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child when she was murdered at her home in Walthamstow on July 22, 2024. March, 47, admitted to the murder after an expert no longer supported his claim of diminished responsibility. Jurors in his trial were not told that March had been convicted of murder before. March was aged 21 when he fatally stabbed 17-year-old Andre Drummond in the neck at a McDonald’s restaurant in Denmark Hill, Camberwell,…

The Bombay, in Orpington, was crowned ‘Restaurant of the Year’ for Kent, while its sister branch in Swanley was named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ for the same county. The awards ceremony took place at the House of Lords on Monday, October 20. The National Curry Awards (NCA) 2025 celebrated the UK’s curry house stars for their hard work and culinary contributions at their sixth annual ceremony. ‘Newcome of the Year, Kent’ Award being presented by The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg and Andy MacNae MP to the Bombay – Swanley Restaurant representatives (Image: National Curry Awards)…

The Chestnut Pub & Kitchen, in East Ham Crescent, welcomed customers back on Wednesday (October 29) after undergoing a £240,000 makeover. Formerly known as The Chough, the boozer shut at the beginning of September – and has since been repainted and fitted with new cladding, lighting and signs. Inside, new flooring has been laid and new seating installed, while in the beer garden a 60-seater patio has been installed with a TV and decorative lights. There is new seating and flooring inside (Image: Scott Kendall Photography) The kitchen has also been refitted to enable the pub to start serving homemade…