Your trusted source for local London, UK news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Redbridge Council leader Kam Rai will advocate for government funding to replace the closed Broadmead Bridge at the Labour conference. The bridge, vital for local traffic, has been shut since July 2023 due to structural defects, and the council cannot afford the estimated £80 million rebuild costs.
The Bernie Grant Arts Centre in north London revealed plans to reopen its café and host major events, despite ongoing financial difficulties. Some tenants expressed discontent over recent rent increases, leading to evictions and a perceived lack of support from management. Interim director Sunita Pandya Malik aims to refocus the centre on local community needs.
Sarah Johnson, a victim of sexual assault by physiotherapist Purnoor Bawa, argues that practitioners facing allegations should be suspended immediately to protect patients. Bawa, who received a six-year prison sentence for assaulting multiple women, continued to practice even after being suspended. Johnson’s case highlights failures in oversight and accountability within the healthcare system.
An Odeon cinema in south-east London was saved from a nearby fire that largely destroyed a mixed-use building. The London Fire Brigade deployed ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters to control the blaze, which broke out before 08:00 BST. No injuries were reported, and the fire was brought under control without spreading to the cinema.
A BBC undercover investigation reveals nurses and pharmacists are endangering patients by providing Botox without proper checks. Medical regulations require in-person consultations and prescriptions, which many professionals are bypassing, raising risks of severe complications. Regulators express concern and plan to review the evidence against these practitioners.
London has shortlisted Crews Hill in Enfield and Thamesmead in Greenwich for new town developments aimed at addressing the housing crisis. Enfield's proposed development includes 21,000 homes with essential infrastructure, but opponents raise concerns about building on greenbelt land.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan defended the capital's safety statistics, asserting violent crime has decreased across all boroughs by nearly 12% over the past year. Critics, including the Conservative Party, argue that the figures are selectively presented and highlight rising knife crime. Khan emphasized the need to focus on evidence while addressing perceptions of safety.
Joshua Eno, 25, was found guilty of murdering Rico Andrews, 21, during a confrontation over a stolen BMW motorbike in Battersea, London, on October 5, 2023. Eno shot Andrews at point-blank range before fleeing on a moped. His accomplice, Tyrone Attwood, 34, was convicted of robbery and is serving a seven-year sentence.
Funding for public toilets at the Notting Hill Carnival may be reduced due to an £82 million budget shortfall in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The council's annual contribution of £1 million is under review as officials seek to make significant savings. Organizers of the carnival, which attracts about two million attendees each August, have been approached for comment on the potential cuts.
Amazon plans to close its 19 UK grocery stores, shifting focus to online delivery services. Five of the locations will be converted into Whole Foods stores, with 250 employees affected by the closures. The company aims to enhance its grocery offerings through partnerships with retailers like Morrisons and Co-op.