The Fitzrovia News

Four in 10 Londoners cannot afford to ‘live with dignity’, new research shows Minimum Income Standard report explains what people need to afford a minimum, socially acceptable standard of living. Nearly four million Londoners are living below the minimum income level to enjoy a decent standard of living, shocking new research has shown. Analysis from Trust for London, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), shows that a majority of private renters, 1.1mn children and more than a third of pensioners are now living with less than what is needed for day-to-day life in the capital.

Four in 10 Londoners cannot afford to ‘live with dignity’, new research shows

Minimum Income Standard report explains what people need to afford a minimum, socially acceptable standard of living. Nearly four million Londoners are living below the minimum income level to enjoy a decent standard of…

Repair cafe and book launch at London National Park City visitor centre London Natonal Park City visitor centre at 80 Mortimer Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. London National Park City visitor centre in Mortimer Street has two events coming up this month that might be of interest to people living in Fitzrovia. On Saturday 7 March national park volunteer ranger Elly Platt will be holding a free drop-in repair cafe. Give your old clothes a new lease of life and learn the basics of clothing repair.

Repair cafe and book launch at London National Park City visitor centre

London Natonal Park City visitor centre at 80 Mortimer Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. London National Park City visitor centre in Mortimer Street has two events coming up this month that might be of interest to people…

FN Newsletter 06-03-2026 Early March 2026 round up of news, features, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

FN Newsletter 06-03-2026 - our latest round up of news and more from the last two weeks in #Fitzrovia open.substack.com/pub/fitzrovi...

Open days for the curious at former toy museum and shop One half of the former Pollock's Toy Museum and Shop will be open to the public for two days. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Those of you curious about what the inside of a nineteenth-century building looks like can have the chance to have a peak this month when its doors open to the public. Number 41 Whitfield Street was for a great many years one half of…

Open days for the curious at former toy museum and shop

One half of the former Pollock's Toy Museum and Shop will be open to the public for two days. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Those of you curious about what the inside of a nineteenth-century building looks like can have the chance to have a peak…

High pollution alert! Please don't add to the problem by driving and engine idling.

Community centre issues ‘urgent appeal’ to save advice service Fitzrovia Community Centre has issued an "urgent appeal" to save an advice service. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. The Fizrovia Community Centre in Foley Street has made an "urgent appeal" for donations to help it run a housing and welfare advice service -- "a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in our community". Fitzrovia Advice Service has been run for nearly 50 years by the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association.

Community centre issues ‘urgent appeal’ to save advice service

Fitzrovia Community Centre has issued an "urgent appeal" to save an advice service. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. The Fizrovia Community Centre in Foley Street has made an "urgent appeal" for donations to help it run a housing and welfare…

Data centre policy to be in new London Plan Mete Coban, deputy mayor for the environment, and Megan Life, assistant director for environment and energy. Image: GLA webcast. City Hall will have a specific policy dedicated to the building of new data centres in the upcoming London Plan, officials have confirmed, following concerns about their immense power and water usage. Between 50 and 60 of around 100 units -- which house IT infrastructure such as servers -- currently in the planning pipeline are scheduled to be built in London. 

Data centre policy to be in new London Plan

Mete Coban, deputy mayor for the environment, and Megan Life, assistant director for environment and energy. Image: GLA webcast. City Hall will have a specific policy dedicated to the building of new data centres in the upcoming London Plan, officials…

OSDC board welcomes new members and makes committee appointments Meeting of the OSDC board, Friday 27 February 2026. Photo: GLA webcast. At the second meeting of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) board, chair Scott Parsons began by saying there was a lot of excitement about Sadiq Khan's announcement the day before giving TfL the go ahead to start on the process of pedestrianising Oxford Street West. Khan's decision came immediately after the publication on 26 February of the public consultation report on plans to remove all buses, taxis and pedal cycles between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

OSDC board welcomes new members and makes committee appointments

Meeting of the OSDC board, Friday 27 February 2026. Photo: GLA webcast. At the second meeting of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) board, chair Scott Parsons began by saying there was a lot of excitement about Sadiq…

Licensing application: Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Saritamar Limited has applied to Westminster Council for a variation of their premises licence at Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street, in Fitzrovia West. Currently the business has permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises from 10am to 11.30pm, Monday to Thursday; 10am to midnight, Friday to Saturday; and from 12noon until 10.30pm on Sunday.

Licensing application: Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street

Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Saritamar Limited has applied to Westminster Council for a variation of their premises licence at Honey and Smoke, 216 Great Portland Street, in Fitzrovia West.…

Camden Council approves council tax increase for 2026-2027 Cllr Camron Aref-Adib said increasing the council tax was a "pragmatic" choice. Image: Camden Council webcast. Camden Council has rubber-stamped a 4.99 per cent hike in council tax, meaning Band D households will pay an extra £1.94 per week from April 2026. The changes were voted through by councillors on Monday, 2 March when the local authority met to pass its budget for 2026/27.

Camden Council approves council tax increase for 2026-2027

Cllr Camron Aref-Adib said increasing the council tax was a "pragmatic" choice. Image: Camden Council webcast. Camden Council has rubber-stamped a 4.99 per cent hike in council tax, meaning Band D households will pay an extra £1.94 per…

‘Disconnect’ between what Londoners want and what developers build, Mayor told McGrath Road in Forest Gate is a successful design, says the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee. Image: Google. Too many of London’s new housing developments look the same to residents and have unappealing architecture replicated across the city, Sir Sadiq Khan has been told. Public polling and visual preference surveys show that Londoners broadly agree on what good design looks like -- with up to 80 per cent backing low or medium-rise buildings with coherent looks that fit local character, as opposed to a random array of high-rises.

‘Disconnect’ between what Londoners want and what developers build, Mayor told

McGrath Road in Forest Gate is a successful design, says the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee. Image: Google. Too many of London’s new housing developments look the same to residents and have…

Rough sleeping across England at highest level since 2010 Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025. Source: MHCLG. The number of people sleeping out on the streets of England has risen to the highest number recorded since 2010, according to figures released by the government this month. At least 4,793 were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025 across England…

Rough sleeping across England at highest level since 2010

Local authorities with the highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025. Source: MHCLG. The number of people sleeping out on the streets of England has risen to the highest number recorded since 2010,…

A fire engine in standing water on a residential road, with ‘do not cross’ tape in the foreground. Text over reads: The London Minute ⏰ Wednesday 25 February 2026 100 evacuated in Islington flooding, Green Lanes machete gang shop raid, Brockwell Park festivals approved + Frieze fury over Regent's Park 'mudbath'

🌤️  Good morning London. Today’s headlines: 100 evacuated in Islington flooding, Green Lanes machete gang shop raid, Brockwell Park festivals approved + Frieze fury over Regent's Park 'mudbath'

⏰ London’s ad-free local news: londonminute.substack.com/p/london-min...

Imperial College Healthcare seeks views on St Mary’s Hospital redevelopment plans Imperial College Healthcare wants to build a new hospital on its historic site. Photo: LDRS. A Paddington hospital which is being forced to shut its main outpatient building due to structural problems is canvassing feedback on plans to redevelop the site. St Mary’s Hospital, a sprawling estate along Praed Street and South Wharf Road where Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, has launched a public consultation to inform the first stage of its forthcoming masterplan.

Imperial College Healthcare seeks views on St Mary’s Hospital redevelopment plans

Imperial College Healthcare wants to build a new hospital on its historic site. Photo: LDRS. A Paddington hospital which is being forced to shut its main outpatient building due to structural problems is canvassing…

Nearly half of cyclists feel unsafe on London’s roads London’s cycle network is far too patchy and often of poor quality. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Almost half of cyclists still feel unsafe on London’s roads despite mass investment in cycle lanes and safety measures, Transport for London (TfL) has been told. New research shows that 43 per cent of riders don’t feel comfortable, despite the city’s cycling revolution in recent years.

Nearly half of cyclists feel unsafe on London’s roads

London’s cycle network is far too patchy and often of poor quality. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Almost half of cyclists still feel unsafe on London’s roads despite mass investment in cycle lanes and safety measures, Transport for London (TfL)…

Camden Council seeks views on preventing violence against women and girls "Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most significant injustices in our society," writes Councillor Pat Callaghan, Camden's cabinet member for safer communities, in a new report on improving safety in the borough. The council is now seeking the public's views on its "ambition to end violence against women and girls" in a month-long public consultation which opened this week.

Camden Council seeks views on preventing violence against women and girls

"Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most significant injustices in our society," writes Councillor Pat Callaghan, Camden's cabinet member for safer communities, in a new report on improving safety in the…

Housing provider A2Dominion apologises to residents after leaks and flooding Registered housing provider A2Dominion has apologised to residents living in a block of flats on Mortimer Street in Fitzrovia West after multiple episodes of flooding and leaks in their homes -- the latest in a series of problems they have faced. The newest report is from a disabled couple who say they have endured water leaking into their flat since they moved there in 2015.

Housing provider A2Dominion apologises to residents after leaks and flooding

Registered housing provider A2Dominion has apologised to residents living in a block of flats on Mortimer Street in Fitzrovia West after multiple episodes of flooding and leaks in their homes -- the latest in a series of…

Gondolas over a city river. Text over reads: The London Minute - Monday 23 February 2026: Church fire, London’s ‘worst mass eviction in recent history’, floating park plan for Thames + Dolly Parton's Imagination Library opens in Camden

🌤️  Good morning London. Monday’s headlines: Church fire, London’s ‘worst mass eviction in recent history’, floating park plan for Thames + Dolly Parton's Imagination Library opens in Camden

⏰ London’s ad-free local news: londonminute.substack.com/p/london-min...

#london

FN Newsletter 20-02-2026 Mid-February 2026 round up of news, features, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

Our latest newsletter with a round up of the last two weeks of news, features and more from #Fitzrovia :: fitzrovianews.substack.com/p/fn-newslet...

Charlotte Street to be closed from Goodge to Percy for two weekends of resurfacing Diversions will be in place while Charlotte Street carriageway is resurfaced. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Charlotte Street will be closed to all carriageway traffic between Goodge Street and Percy Street for two weekends for resurfacing work, says Camden Council in a letter sent to residents this month. "These works are scheduled to commence on 28 February 2026 and are expected to be completed by 7 March 2026," states the letter.

Charlotte Street to be closed from Goodge to Percy for two weekends of resurfacing

Diversions will be in place while Charlotte Street carriageway is resurfaced. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Charlotte Street will be closed to all carriageway traffic between Goodge Street and Percy Street for two…

TfL unveils pedicab regulation, fares cap, and a pledge of strict enforcement Pedicab drivers and vehicles will be regulated by TfL. Photo: Credit: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS. Pedicabs will soon be regulated and enforced effectively to prevent drivers working illegally, the Mayor of London’s walking and cycling czar has said. New regulations introduced this week will see the base fare for pedicab rides sit at £5, with a per minute charge of up to £1, with drivers also able to add up to £3 to the total bill for each additional passenger.

TfL unveils pedicab regulation, fares cap, and a pledge of strict enforcement

Pedicab drivers and vehicles will be regulated by TfL. Photo: Credit: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS. Pedicabs will soon be regulated and enforced effectively to prevent drivers working illegally, the Mayor of…

Licensing application: Amereida, 160 Great Portland Street Amereida on the corner of Great Portland Street and Clipstone Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Amereida Ltd has applied to Westminster Council to vary its premises licence at 160 Great Portland Street on the corner with Clipstone Street in Fitzrovia West. The current licence (25/02933/LIPDPS) authorises the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises but requires it to only operate as a restaurant, where drinks are only sold to those customers who are taking a table meal.

Licensing application: Amereida, 160 Great Portland Street

Amereida on the corner of Great Portland Street and Clipstone Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Amereida Ltd has applied to Westminster Council to vary its premises licence at 160 Great Portland Street on the corner with Clipstone Street…

Westminster Council to freeze council tax for 2026-2027 Westminster City Council is freezing its share of council tax for 2026/27 and using £19.7mn in reserves to balance the budget. The council, which already has one of the lowest council tax rates in the country, said the pause will help residents deal with cost of living pressures. However, the adult social care precept, which funds care for the elderly and disabled, will increase by two per cent, which equals 20p a week extra for Band D payers -- or, £10.54 a year -- according to a council report.

Westminster Council to freeze council tax for 2026-2027

Westminster City Council is freezing its share of council tax for 2026/27 and using £19.7mn in reserves to balance the budget. The council, which already has one of the lowest council tax rates in the country, said the pause will help…

Families urged to get children vaccinated due to measles outbreak More than 60 suspected cases of measles have now been reported in North London as an outbreak which started in Enfield last month continues to spread. Today (Tuesday 17 February) an NHS care board confirmed the number of infections reported at local hospitals was continuing to increase. North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) is responsible for co-ordinating NHS services across Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington.

Families urged to get children vaccinated due to measles outbreak

More than 60 suspected cases of measles have now been reported in North London as an outbreak which started in Enfield last month continues to spread. Today (Tuesday 17 February) an NHS care board confirmed the number of infections…

TfL lacks ‘depth and nuance’ when engaging with disabled travellers, City Hall report finds London Assembly Transport Committee at the launch of the report into TfL's engagement with disabled Londoners Credit: Allison Bell/GLA. Transport for London (TfL) is “lacking depth and nuance” when it comes to engaging with the needs of disabled people travelling around the capital, a damning City Hall report has concluded. The London Assembly Transport Committee have said that TfL’s efforts to make public transport more accessible -- including launching a new strategy in 2024 -- are “surface level” and is putting off those with extra or special needs from using the network entirely.

TfL lacks ‘depth and nuance’ when engaging with disabled travellers, City Hall report finds

London Assembly Transport Committee at the launch of the report into TfL's engagement with disabled Londoners Credit: Allison Bell/GLA. Transport for London (TfL) is “lacking depth and nuance” when it comes…

PSPO to make Camden a ‘responsible drinking borough’ A notice on a public park in Fitzrovia invites residents to respond to a consultation. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. While the London Borough of Camden's licensing department continues to hand out licences to sell alcohol at pace, another department in the council is concerned about the "anti-social behaviour" (ASB) linked to drinking. "As part of our commitment to tackle ASB we are proposing to introduce a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to deal with ASB linked to alcohol consumption in public places and to make Camden a responsible drinking borough," says the local authority. 

PSPO to make Camden a ‘responsible drinking borough’

A notice on a public park in Fitzrovia invites residents to respond to a consultation. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. While the London Borough of Camden's licensing department continues to hand out licences to sell alcohol at pace, another…

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2026 Westminster Council has validated some planning applications in the Fitzrovia West area for February 2026. However, the council is still experiencing difficulties in validating applications since the cyber attack on its computer system in November last year. (This page will be updated until the monthly list is complete.) Getting the monthly list of applications for the Fitzrovia West area for February 2026 is difficult as their publication has been done in a haphazard way as the computer system is slowly being restored.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2026

Westminster Council has validated some planning applications in the Fitzrovia West area for February 2026. However, the council is still experiencing difficulties in validating applications since the cyber attack on its computer system in…

Camden plans changes to four streets in Fitzrovia A sign posted on Chitty Street announces a public consultation on restricting motor vehicle access. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Camden Council is proposing changes to the carriageways and footways on Chitty Street and Scala Street, as well as part of Whitfield Street and Tottenham Street, with motor traffic restrictions and tree planting. The plans, called Fitzrovia Area Phase 2, have been unveiled this month in…

Camden plans changes to four streets in Fitzrovia

A sign posted on Chitty Street announces a public consultation on restricting motor vehicle access. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Camden Council is proposing changes to the carriageways and footways on Chitty Street and Scala Street, as well as part…

Shared ownership flaws a particular issue for Londoners – housing minister Shared ownership homes in Newman Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Challenges around shared ownership properties are a “particular” issue for Londoners, the housing minister has admitted. The scheme -- aimed at households who cannot afford to buy a property on the open market -- allows people to purchase a share of their new home and pay regulated rent on the remainder.

Shared ownership flaws a particular issue for Londoners – housing minister

Shared ownership homes in Newman Street. Photo: The Fitzrovia News. Challenges around shared ownership properties are a “particular” issue for Londoners, the housing minister has admitted. The scheme -- aimed at households…

Westminster Council critical of Mayor’s new licensing powers Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member on Westminster City Council. Photo: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS. Westminster City Council has criticised Sadiq Khan’s new licensing powers, saying they will “do little” to fix London’s evening and night-time economy. Councillor Geoff Barraclough, the cabinet member for planning and economic development on the Labour-led council, said licensing was “not even close to the top issue” hospitality businesses face.

Westminster Council critical of Mayor’s new licensing powers

Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member on Westminster City Council. Photo: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon/LDRS. Westminster City Council has criticised Sadiq Khan’s new licensing powers, saying they will “do little” to fix London’s evening and…