Covid infections have again increased. The rate is now one in 45 people in England. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus. How to get vaccinated is on Camden Council’s coronavirus web page and Westminster Council’s coronavirus web page.
Earlier this year we reported that Pollock’s Toy Museum had closed. The two buildings that housed the museum and shop are now up for sale and Fitzrovia News understands that there is interest in converting the upstairs to residential, and keeping the ground floor and basement as a shop.
Film crews are again descending on Fitzrovia. This time it is to shoot a biopic about Amy Winehouse inside a building on Fitzroy Square. (The singer actually lived in Camden Square.) So expect the usual disruption from Monday 13 to Friday 18 March with vehicles parked in part of Warren Street and Cleveland Street. They should not be using noisy and polluting portable generators. You can find the notice here and a map here.
Camden Council has been told in response to its consultation on the evening and night time economy (ENTE) that “people want more activities and spaces that don’t involve alcohol”.
Westminster Council is still giving little away about its plans for Oxford Street. However, an upcoming meeting on Thursday 9 March has several papers on the project. Including a review of the previous administrations efforts by Mike Cooke who writes: “I find it surprising that a significant procurement exercise for such a complex and ambitious project was begun before the consultation on the draft plans had finished and before the plans had been approved by Cabinet.” See agenda items 5, 6, and 8. And the council is still playing cat and mouse with candy shops.
This month we commemorate 50 years since the first community newspaper for Fitzrovia was published.
If you want to get in touch with us to tell us what you think of our reporting, have a question, or would like to contribute to Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com
— Linus Rees, editor
The latest on our website
Family calls for urgent action to fix overflowing sewer at Clarion home
A despairing family is calling for work to be done urgently to sort out problems with a smelly, overflowing sewer at their home — months after they raised the issue with Clarion housing association bosses, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter.
Half a century of local news in Fitzrovia
In March 1973 — 50 years ago this month — the first community newspaper for Fitzrovia was published by a group of volunteers, known as the Whitfield Street Study Group, based at what is now the nursery on Whitfield Street.
Tabby cat found abandoned on Whitfield Street
The RSPCA is appealing for information after a male tabby cat was found abandoned in a cardboard box on Whitfield Street on Tuesday 14 February.
Free school meals for all Camden primary school children
Primary school children will get free school meals “forever” in a move announced in Camden’s “cost of living budget” at the full council meeting on Monday 27 February.
Plan for new public toilets blocked by Labour at City Hall
A plan to create more public toilets at Tube and bus stations across London has been rejected by City Hall, despite most London Assembly members voting in favour of it, writes Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter.
Public consultations
Licensing application: 1947 Restaurant & Bar, 33 Charlotte Street
An application has been made to Camden Council for a major variation of a premises licence to allow later hours at 1947 London Restaurant and Bar, which is located in the basement of 33 Charlotte Street and entered from Rathbone Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/10/licensing-application-1947-restaurant-bar-33-charlotte-street/
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2023
Westminster Council validated planning applications during February 2023 in Fitzrovia West. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/07/planning-applications-in-fitzrovia-west-february-2023/
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, February 2023
Camden Council registered planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which includes, Fitzrovia East, during February 2023. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/08/planning-applications-in-bloomsbury-and-fitzrovia-east-february-2023/
Camden and Westminster are working together on a new cycle route through Fitzrovia
Camden and Westminster councils are working together to create a new cycle route along Cleveland Street and Newman Street and are asking for comments on the designs. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/31/camden-and-westminster-are-working-together-on-a-new-cycle-route-through-fitzrovia/
Printed newspapers
Our latest printed newspaper, Fitzrovia News, is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra. We also have a newspaper archive.